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.

 

[Caren+Bailey]

Bailey has never done this.

 

[MyIrishWolfie]

No.. Binn has never snapped at anyone.

You can take stuff out of his mouth..even a toy and he dosent care.

 

[colliewog]

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

Sorry, off topic here, but Malcolm told me that IS the way you tug. He holds on and I tug.


Back on topic - you said they cornered him? That's more than taking something from his mouth. That is illiciting a a fight or flight response from a puppy in the second fear period. I'd say you shouldn't be too concerned, but definately work on strangers being able to take toys and such away if he's going to be in that sort of environment.

 

[iheartsammy]

Sam has snapped at me before (she has even broke the skin ), but never to hurt me, and we where playing. she was trying to get the ball from my hand, but accedently bit my wrist. but she never does it with anyone else, only me.

 

[DanL]

I think your dog was placed in a position where he felt he had no choice. He was cornered with no escape, the person who grabbed the ball ignored his warning, so he took the next step. He was scared.

I agree, he should let people take the ball from him, and I think if he was in a position where he wasn't scared and cornered, he would act better. This is something you should work on with him when he's in a proper environment. I disagree with your husbands viewpoint that your dog is too into you. That's how he should be, especially the breed you have- he's a herding breed and they are not supposed to be like a lab or golden. Personally, I want my dog interested only in me when we are out in public. If people approach and want to pet him they can but he's not going out of his way to be friendly. He tolerates them, but with a wide berth- kids can hang on him, he lets them play with his ball, all that stuff, but he's always looking to me for approval.

 

[bubbatd]

I never had that situation... My Goldens always gave up an items when asked. Ollie , is a different story !! He has had many things in his mouth since I've had him that are a " Mine ".... his grip is something else ! Luckily , he's never growled or snapped , is this a Chessie trait ??? I'm used to a soft mouthed Golden. I've never had to pry before !

 

[Whisper]

Millie and Lucy have never snapped at anyone.

 

[elegy]

I never had that situation... My Goldens always gave up an items when asked. Ollie , is a different story !! He has had many things in his mouth since I've had him that are a " Mine ".... his grip is something else ! Luckily , he's never growled or snapped , is this a Chessie trait ??? I'm used to a soft mouthed Golden. I've never had to pry before !

i don't think it's a breed trait as much as a training issue. i have two pit bulls with jaws like steel traps and i've never had to pry anything out of their mouths. they both quickly learned and respect the command "give" and if all else fails, they're total slaves to the cookie!

 

[bubbatd]

I agree .... but I've only had this 1 1/2 pup 5 weeks...and he's never been taught !! We'll get there !! He's doing better learning what's " Mine " and " Ollie's " .....I'm just glad Grammy hasn't lost a hand during the learning process !!

 

[LabBreeder]

Mine have never snapped at anyone. The worst Tira has ever done was defend herself (as a pup) against an older dachsund mix that had snapped, and cut, her nose. When Tira got snapped at she tried to jump on top of the doxie/mix and snap back but ended up running away yelping instead of fighting. Now, when a little dog shows aggression Tira will bark at it. If a bigger dog shows aggression (snarling/growling) she'll bark and partially lunge. I've yet to see her bite an animal or person. She'll bark alot and lunge/jump on the other animal...after it's shown aggression towards either me/Tony, Gunner or herself...and air snap, but not actually bite.

Gunner doesn't do anything. He barks if he's being ignored by someone that usually pets him...and will run after the neighborhood cats (not hurting, just chasing), but will leave them alone when told to. He tries to play with every person and animal.