[jostre]

We have a few issues with our golden retriever puppy. We got her when she was 8 weeks old. She was one of 11 pups.

Issue #1: aggression
When she "steals" something and we tried to take it form her she gets very aggressive. She growls, snarls, and when I finally pry it out of her mouth she does this thing where she barks, growls, snaps and lunges at me all at once. It is very kujo like! Other than this specific occasion she is the sweetest little puppy. I don't understand it. My husband says it's a puppy thing and she'll grow out of it. I want to make sure we don't have an aggression problem and if we do, I want to do something about now before it gets out of hand. I can't afford Cesar Millan - so I'm counting on you guys to help me!!


Issue #2: walking on a leash

We tried to take her on her first walk outside our yard at about 10 weeks. We could barely get her past 3 houses. She did not want to go. But once we would turn around and home, she was perfectly fine and would walk if not run straight home! Then my husband and I took her together one night and she did great we made it all the way around the block (it's a short block). It took a good handful of treats but we did it anyway. She had been doing pretty good for almost two weeks. Now, all of a sudden tonight, we went for out usual walk and we got about three houses down and she just sat. I tugged a little a tried to coax her with treats and all the usual stuff. NOTHING worked. She just threw a fit. I finally gave up and turned around and headed towards her figuring I was going to have to carry her back home. She turned around and headed for the house herself. She was perfectly fine walking on the leash so long as we were going towards our house. We tried several times with the same result. We use a buckle collar and a light 6 foot leash. I don't understand the sudden defiance.

I greatly appreciate any advice you are willing to offer!
Thank you in advance!

[hixton]

First you need to establish who the dominant one is you should place your puppy on her back and hold her firmly until she submits don't let her push you around don't let her stop when you are going for a walk use a short lead and walk her around the yard first so she use to it then take her for walks around the block it takes a few times but they will learn it

[labman]

The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

For younger puppies: ''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

I find the walking a little strange. At that age, they should be eager to explore the world. To get her moving, try dropping behind her and running past her in baby steps calling ''Go, go, go!'' in a happy, excited voice. Usually that gets any puppy moving.