Has Your Dog Ever Snapped at Anyone?

[moonchild1970]

Someone at the park tried to grab poppy's face and pry the ball out of his mouth, and when he growled they ignored it and kept trying to get the ball and he snapped at them and kind of ran at them...

I'm really upset about this. My husband says he doesn't like where this is going and thinks poppy's had an attitude problem.

[jess2416]

I dont allow anyone to grab toys from Chloe....the only that is allowed to do that is ME...

[moonchild1970]

My husband says that Poppy is too into me and no one else and that this is an attitude problem.

[SummerRiot]

ANYone should be able to take a toy for a dogs mouth when its invited by the owner and have no fear.

Riot had to learn that as well!

Snapping is never acceptable. Riot used to be a VERY bad little puppy. Around 5 months of age, he went through an aggresion phase that lasted until he was around 8-9 months old.
He used to HATE to allow strangers to touch him, he'd shy away from them, then if they persisted he would try and snap at them or growl.

How did you correct/deter him when he acted like this?

[moonchild1970]

I told him "NO!" and he cowered. I don't like to hit my dogs. I have told them 3 times not to do that to my dog. And they cornered him on the slide and he couldn't get away. When his growl was ignored he freaked. During a fear peroid 2 mos ago some kid grabbed him and made him pee himself so I think he remembers that... btw he is only 7 mos old.

[SummerRiot]

Hitting definately isn't a good way at all to get him out of his "stage".

Hitting almost enforces him to stay in there. saying no and him responding is good. What I had to do with Riot was grab him by his scruff and say No and it worked well for him. Just saying it for Riot wasn't enough b/c he was so focused on what was scaring him.

Kids dont really realize what kind of effect they have on puppies and its such a shame. Parents need to educate their childen on these types of things. having pets or not - kids will ALWAYS come into contact with other dogs no matter where they go or live.

Just keep consistant with things, show him positive situations with children and all will be well.

Riot used to hate children with a passion, but when went out of his "aggresion/fear" stage he could play fetch with an unknown 7yr old boy!!

it will come

[dogstarsleddogs]

Dakota has snapped at 2 people. Me, and my friend. Me, I was trying to get a potato chip bag away from him, and bit my wrist. I dont remember what I did, he was a puppy, so it was like 7 years ago.
The other time, he was loose, and his paw got stepped on while trying to catch him. I wasnt around, (looking on the other side of town), but I guess he bit him pretty hard.
Dakota is an extremly dominate dog, and if he doesnt want you doing something, he will probably growl or bite you. I just growl back. That usually takes care of it. His recent neutrering also seemed to calm him down some. I can now have him roll over so I can scratch his belly with no growling.

[Gempress]

Zeus has never snapped. Neither has Voodoo.

I do agree with the advice posted. Don't get too worked up about Poppy yet. It's a fixable issue with time.

[Roxy's CD]

Roxy and Hades both know drop it. If a stranger or anyone other than me or brent wants a toy in their mouth they can use the command "drop it". Otherwise sometimes Roxy will bring the toy to them and put it in their hand for them to tug while she just holds on. She really doesn't understand that SHE's supposed to tug not the people! ROFL

But the general question: Yes, Roxy has snapped at people. No, Hades has not.

[elegy]

no, never. but i have never put them in a position where they've felt threatened.

i would NOT allow strangers to be prying things out of your dog's mouth. i would also start playing the trade game with him and asking people around you to play the trade game with him.