I posted this in another board and want to put it out on this one too. I can't begin to tell you how discouraged I am. Lucy (our last dog) was aggressive and I swore I'd never have another aggressive dog; it overshadowed everything we did. Yet today at our first puppy class, Bella attacked (began to, but was separated) a smaller puppy. The puppy was tiny and shy (not submissive). The other pups in the class were all too domineering for her, but only Bella took the initiative to do something. The teacher (and owner of the facility), scooped up Bella and removed her before I reacted. I spoke with her afterwards and she said that if Bella is showing that behaviour at 9 weeks old, that's a problem. I asked how I should handle this in the future and she said to watch Bella and give her time out/remove her if it happens again. Is there more that I can do? Is this truly behaviour that is going to haunt us forever? How to anticipate, refocus, discourage, manage this?
The other pups didn't elicit this behaviour from Bella. She didn't play with any of them either, though she followed them around; she seemed far more interested in the people. Most of the other pups were bigger and older (the class is 2-5 month olds). Of the two that were slightly smaller, she didn't exhibit any of the attitude and, if anything, was shy around them as they were more rambunctious.
I felt like the bottom of heart fell out. I look at this sweet girl and... I donotdonotdonot want another fighter on my hands.








