Help Puppy Tantrums

[TeaOneSugar]

We have a 10 week old puppy having temper tantrums and I want to check if I'm handling this properly.

For background, he's into the usual mouthing and biting, which we're tying to manage by saying no and putting a toy into his mouth, which seems to work sometimes, othertimes, like when he get up in the morning, he's too excited.

He's getting really good at telling us when he needs to go out, eats well, settles at night and when left. He's had a stomach upset but that seems to have settled, he also has a small hernia which will be mended when he's neutered. He's not so keen on the car but he's improving.

The problem is the temper tantrums, they happen at the usual times a toddler might tantrum, so mainly, when you stop him doing something, when you take something off him he shouldn't have. He snaps ,snarls and growls and you have to be careful not to get bitten. I have some lovely scratches.

I remember having similar problems with previous puppy, but that was a long time ago, the vet advised putting her onto her back and holding her there until she stopped so I'm trying that again and I think its helping but I'm aware that this could be out of date advice.

Otherwise he's christmas card cute and very affectionate.

[Lougle]

I think that advice is outdated.

What breed is your dog?

For the taking things away, I practiced with my puppy. So wait until he's calm. Have a treat ready. Give him something, and then offer the treat while taking the item out of his mouth. Keep doing this and he'll realise that it's ok to have something taken.

He's so little. Really. Also, to tell you he needs to go out is fantastic. My 10 month old Staffy is only just getting the hang of that now! (He's very clever, but this seemed to miss the boat, so we've been having to just watch for signs. Finally yesterday, he scratched my bedroom door to be allowed out of the room )

[TeaOneSugar]

I thought it might be, we haven't had a puppy for 15 years.

He's a cocker spaniel.

He goes to the door and woofs to be let out, he started picking this up within days of coming to live with us at 8 weeks.

The vet advised us not to give him treats until he's a bit older, he's learned sit without treats so he's really a lovely dog, except for the tantrums. We're giving him lots of postive feedback, which he responds to.

I can practice with the taking things away, but how should I respond when he snaps and growls, I feel I need to do something to show him it's not acceptable.

[TeaOneSugar]

He's currently asleep at the side of me looking like an angel BTW.

[Lougle]

I'd have thought that a stern 'no' and ignoring him for a minute or two would is enough, tbh.

You can get puppy treats suitable from this age.

[Lougle]

In fact, his usual food can be used as training treats

[TeaOneSugar]

We have used his food sometimes, I've been putting it into his kong.

His breeder also advised against treats at this stage, even puppy treats, however, that will be ignored once he starts his puppy training course in a couple of weeks.

[TheGOLDCunnyFunt]

Please don't pin your puppy down on its back, that advice is very outdated now, that creep Cesar Milan uses techniques like that and his methods are outdated and downright cruel.

Positive reinforcement all the way!

[TeaOneSugar]

OK, we'll keep up the positive stuff, and get some advice from the trainer, he doesn't start for a couple of weeks but they're happy for us to go to watch the class and to ask questions.

[Cuebill]

Your vet maybe brilliant at medicine but he is rubbish at dog training so ignore all future advice from him.

Do not pin your puppy or any puppy on the ground (unless you want an aggressive nervous dog)

DO use treats now today right now


He has something you do not want - so call him to you and reward with a treat. He will learn that you give him better things and come to you more readily (if you just take things away from him he will run away and not come to you at all)

If you want to remove him from something again call him and treat. He will run to you when he realises that everytime he comes to you fantastic things happen.

With puppies prevention is much better than cure so do keep things out of his reach and if you know he gets over tired at certain times encourage rest in his crate before this.


Do get a positive trainer you seem to have a bright little button who will react very quickly with positive training. Get training now when he is little and willing to learn quickly.

[TeaOneSugar]

I should say that the vet who gave me the advice is probably retired by now, as I said that advice was given for our last puppy 15 years ago.

Except for the treat advice, that we our current vet, and the breeder.

We'll break out the treats today :)

[throckenholt]

I remember reading somewhere that you should yelp like a puppy would if was bitten. It will make him realise he is too rough and calm down (I think). You can also make a rattle and get someone to shake it out of his sight - so that it shocks and distracts him.

Hmm - we are due to get a new puppy next week - I have all this fun to come.

[belindarose]

Google 'Ian Dunbar' and follow his puppy training advice.