NEW PUPPY! and some questions...

[Rainstorm]

I understand what you all mean, I just took it as a "defensive" behavior because we had a 5 week old Dal/sheph mix pup 2 years ago that the mom had dissapeared, he always did the same thing and he became defensive, Not aggressive.

and ill have to deal with it here. obidence class isnt an option way out here, though I have alot of cousins who come down alot (5-13) so he'll get socialized with kids, and my uncle is always bringing someone new out here all the time, and he doesnt always do it. I noticed he only runs back when its my brother or uncle. (men aggression?)

 

[redhen]

Quote:
What she said..

you want to break that fearful behavior...thats one of the leading causes of dog bites..

 

[Rainstorm]

Quote:
Nope, wasnt aggressive at all, went into the guys barn to check them out and all 4 ran right up to me wanting to play, my bed is pretty low to the floor so I was thinking maybe its because he cant see them and dont know whats/whos there? and he'll get plenty socialization, everybody loves him

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Defensive behavior is aggression, its just not a confident kind of aggression. Defensive aggression means the dog fears for its safety and therefor will inflict more damage if he/she decides to attact. It is very very dangerous.

Ok if an obedience class won't work then you must make sure to train on your own daily and also allow other people to help you. Would be a very good idea to have everyone in your family know all the commands and help teach them so the dog respects and trusts everyone

 

[Crazyland]

He is cute!!! Since he was born around St Nickolaus/Christmas... How about Nick? or Nicco?

 

[smileyfacecat]

 

[Tala]

I agree the dog is fearful. That's OK for a puppy, but YOU have to grow him out of it, NOT encourage it!!!!!! It's a big job!
A dog like that will ALWAYS expect the pack leader (you) to protect it. YOU have to show him that you are up for the job, and that he is not EVER allowed to interfere.

Otherwise he will take it upon himself to act out in aggression whenever there is a scary situation. The "problem" is that for a dog like that, a "scary situation" could just be your kid's best friend coming for a visit ....dangerous!

I recommend you read up and/or buy some videos from here http://leerburg.com/puppytraining.htm about pack structure and raising a puppy. I have the "basic dog obedience" dvd, but if you can learn from printed text (without being shown) most of his stuff is in free online articles too. I got a lot from it for free.
My dog was the puppy in the litter who was the last to go because she was too afraid to come out of the corner, so I do have an idea what I'm talking about the fearful puppies!!! She's about 98% flight response, she won't ever bravely go up to something to attack it. She knows that I will protect her, but she is a good guard dog for me because she doesn't lie. She doesn't bark because the neighbor's dog barked or because she wants to hear herself, if she barks it's because she heard something "wrong" and you can bank on it!! I sleep alone most nights, and I feel VERY safe with her. Not that she's going to protect me, but that she's going to let me know in advance if someone so much as sets foot on our porch, much less comes in the door/window.

You want the dog to learn to take every cue from you. Example: FIL punches me in the arm, Dusti looks at MY face to see if that was OK with me or if she should get upset about it.

 

[rooster0209]

I don't see pit bull in this pup. The short nose and low slant of the head from the bridge of the nose reminds me of a lab. The white striping on the chest and tips of his toes reminds me of border collie. The "shyness" or "fear" when someone walks in the bedroom in the dark is classic border collie fears. Keep the dog socialized...ALOT...take him places, build up with self esteem with training , tricks or a "job". I have a lab border collie mix who was not socialized from growing up inside a shelter, he acts the same way your pup does. My Freddie is a handfull and I have to be ON when we have company over or when someone rings the bell.

However, it was really easy to teach him to leave the chickens and guineas alone. You have an advantage, yours is a pup and Freddie was almost 2 when I got him.

Does he still have puppy breath? I love puppy breath. He is a cutie

 

[ducks4you]

I have one of those--check out this post:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=270971&p=2
"Pygma" is Lab/GSxPitbull. She is 2 years old--she's the tan dog on the left of the Christmas picture--she STILL has an aggressive bark, but backpedals at most anything that she is scared of. We introduced her to the chickens when she was 1 1/2 years old, and she goes in the stall (temporary coop for this winter) with them and...pretty much ignores them. My other dog, "Rose" is the one who wants to chase and catch them. I don't think that you'll have ANY trouble with your puppy. Does he like to lay on your leg and do the lapdog thing? I think it's the Lab in her. If he acts like my bxxxx, you'll probably want another on the future. SUPER CUTE PUPPY!!!