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I have a major problem guys. Gage, the 16 week old miniature dachshund puppy, startled me earlier with some aggression that I have never seen in a puppy so young.
Gage loves me, and he loves my mom. He doesn't know my dad very well, as my dad isn't home much (he's a truck driver), but doesn't seem to mind him when he is home.
I was walking Gage down our street earlier, not very far just a little ways, working on his walking on a leash training. My neighbor across the street is a sweetheart and has a one year old little dachshund and he was outside on his little cable getting exercise. She came out with her two little granddaughters (aged like 5 and 7), who just thought Gage was the most awesome thing. So, I started to walk over to her, and Gage seemed okay at the time.
I got closer to them, and Gage went off like a bomb. He wasn't backing up growling, he was going FOR them with snarling, barking, teeth baring, you name it. Had he been bigger, he would've seriously did some damage had he made contact. I picked him up and backed away some startled, and picked him up. He continued with this... "vicious" look in his face, and was trying to jump out of my arms to go after not only the children, but my neighbor!
I mean, he's 16 weeks old, we've been socializing him with people, taking him in public places, and socializing him with dogs and cats. And he loves other animals, so no issues there. At least not right now.
But what in the world is with such bad aggression in a puppy so young?
I am calling a local well-known trainer here, that I have used before with my guys and fosters, first thing in the morning. Gage will be enrolled into his next open session of classes which deal with not only obedience but socialization, interaction, and dealing with human aggression issues as well. In the meantime, I'm going to see if we can go ahead and begin with some private lessons.
Anyone have any experience, or advice, for such unprovoked human aggression in such a young puppy?
Gage loves me, and he loves my mom. He doesn't know my dad very well, as my dad isn't home much (he's a truck driver), but doesn't seem to mind him when he is home.
I was walking Gage down our street earlier, not very far just a little ways, working on his walking on a leash training. My neighbor across the street is a sweetheart and has a one year old little dachshund and he was outside on his little cable getting exercise. She came out with her two little granddaughters (aged like 5 and 7), who just thought Gage was the most awesome thing. So, I started to walk over to her, and Gage seemed okay at the time.
I got closer to them, and Gage went off like a bomb. He wasn't backing up growling, he was going FOR them with snarling, barking, teeth baring, you name it. Had he been bigger, he would've seriously did some damage had he made contact. I picked him up and backed away some startled, and picked him up. He continued with this... "vicious" look in his face, and was trying to jump out of my arms to go after not only the children, but my neighbor!
I mean, he's 16 weeks old, we've been socializing him with people, taking him in public places, and socializing him with dogs and cats. And he loves other animals, so no issues there. At least not right now.
But what in the world is with such bad aggression in a puppy so young?
I am calling a local well-known trainer here, that I have used before with my guys and fosters, first thing in the morning. Gage will be enrolled into his next open session of classes which deal with not only obedience but socialization, interaction, and dealing with human aggression issues as well. In the meantime, I'm going to see if we can go ahead and begin with some private lessons.
Anyone have any experience, or advice, for such unprovoked human aggression in such a young puppy?
