1st Puppy Class/Bella attacks smaller dog - Problems and Solutions: Ask away! - DOGS - My Smart Puppy - Message Board - Yuku

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1st Puppy Class/Bella attacks smaller dog

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SW845		#21	[url]	[-]
Posts: 20799 06/24/09 9:29 AM Professional Trainer/Owns Board	So when you say "to be watched" is that to make sure it doesn't escalate or because it will escalate? To help her make new choices - as wisely suggested above. To pair her with dogs who are capable to drawing boundaries for her - I would NOT allow her "free-for-all" play - not in puppy class and not in daycare. She doesn't need to practice her instinctual behaviors - she needs to learn to be polite and appropriate. That she can learn from older dogs. So your goal is to set her up for success. But the fact that the smaller pup wasn't frightened and stood up for herself and that no other pups reacted tells me it was probably considered - between the dogs anyway - a rude version of play and not an assault. Aussies can play VERY roughly is allowed to - they are more rough-and-tumble than BC - and many have more of a guard/assertive streak as that is called for in their standard. Is Bella a known mix or a best guess mix? Sarah Wilson Your dog can change but you have to change first.
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annieqst		#22	[url]	[-]
Posts: 112 06/24/09 5:04 PM	Sarah: Bella's mix is known, though it wasn't intentional. Her mama was 100% Aussie, mellow and very, very nurturing. The dad is 100% black lab. I didn't meet him, but saw him. The woman who owns Bella's mom said he was a smart boy, but that's about all I know. They weren't planning on breeding the mom for another year, but she went into heat a month early and the lab made the most of the opportunity. For the next 5 days I have Bella's cousin here (same moms, but aussie dad). Molly is about 1.5 or 2. They've been playing all day and having a great time.
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SW845		#23	[url]	[-]
Posts: 20799 06/24/09 6:14 PM Professional Trainer/Owns Board	A mellow Aussie is an unusual Aussie - a promise you she's packing plenty of non-mellow genes in there. Glad it was a good play day. What is the half-sibling's play style like? (Cousin would be a sib of Mom or Dad's offerspring, yes?) Sarah Wilson Your dog can change but you have to change first.
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annieqst		#24	[url]	[-]
Posts: 112 06/25/09 8:59 AM	Cousin (stepsister??) Molly and Bella share the same mother. Molly is very like her/their mother: mellow. She can play hard, but settles immediately. Because she's so much bigger than Bella (and kind, like their mom), she lays down a lot while the puppy crawls over her. Bella has completely gummed up Molly's ruff. My nephew and I have renamed her The Furminator as she comes away with a moustache of Molly fur. Molly also initiates games of chase during which Bella normally plants herself and waits until Molly reappears from around a shed. If in the furminating phase, Bella gets too ramped up, Molly either kicks her off, gets up, or rolls away from her and leaves. The puppy definitely gets overly excited if they've played for a long time. If that's the case, I pick up Bella and remove her for a snitch. On the removal, she's wiggly when lifted, but settles down rapidly when held. Last Edited By: annieqst 06/25/09 12:22 PM. Edited 2 times.
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beckybishop		#25	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3062 06/26/09 12:53 AM Professional Trainer/Moderator	Puppy classes are very, much like a real pre-school, some classes the kids get on so well, it's just great. But then, sometimes the chemistry, one dog in the group can put out a "vibe" that has an affect on the group. In my puppy classes we set up large expens for the younger, smaller, shyer dogs to play in "the circle of safety" we call it. Bigger more confident pups outside the area so they can go nose to nose with penned pups but not PIN the little pups. While I agree, at 8 weeks old puppies do need to bond to the family it's hardly breaking that bond to go to a puppy class, socialize and educate yourself and your puppy one day a week. Especially if the environment is clean, controls in place and all puppies were seen by a vet with first shot under their belt.
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annieqst		#26	[url]	[-]
Posts: 112 06/26/09 9:02 AM	Off subject, but Becky your avatar is absolutely so cute. I've never had a lab, so didn't know whether Bella resembled her daddy or not, but from seeing your avatar, she definitely is lab-like. I love her big meaty ears!
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