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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think friend is raising a future dangerous dog?

38 replies

CheeseOnRoast · 16/08/2019 13:17

My friend has a Doberman puppy. No issue with the breed as i quite like them but let’s be honest, they can be pretty dangerous, as can all dogs I suppose.

Anyway the puppy is 12 weeks old and whenever I go to her house it immediately starts growling as I walk in - a low pitched, aggressive growl - sometimes accompanied by barking. Friend insists she’s just protecting the house but 12 week old puppies do not protect property IMO. Then as soon as I sit down, it bites. Friend tells me to ignore it etc but it doesn’t give up, if it can’t get my hand it bites my leg. It does this with everyone. I was there this morning and was watching as this pint sized puppy paraded around the garden growling and barking at nothing.
She’s taking it to training classes but personally I’m concerned she’s got a dog that is naturally aggressive. She downplays everything as “it’s only a baby” and “all puppies bite” etc

I’m seriously considering telling her that I don’t be visiting once the dog gets much bigger. She will be offended and upset. Am I over reacting here?

OP posts:
fortheloveofPete · 16/08/2019 13:23

I'd stop going round. Or at least ask her to keep the dog in the garden when she has visitors...before she opens the front door.

If she doesn't get more help and that dog properly assessed, it will turn on her.

Original poster
CheeseOnRoast · 16/08/2019 13:27

I totally agree, Doberman’s are known for turning at the best of times. 12 week old puppies don’t guard house and garden like a growling scrap yard dog. Something isn’t right. She keeps posting pictures of herself kissing its face, kissing its nose, cuddling it to sleep etc - I just think one day she will end up in hospital or worse. There is no telling her though

OP posts:
dollydaydream114 · 16/08/2019 13:30

All puppies bite/mouth when they're as young as that.

It is unusual for a 12-week old puppy to bark and growl at visitors, and I'd be concerned about that if it were my dog, but you do mention that your friend is taking the puppy to training classes so it is presumably learning to socialise safely there.

Original poster
CheeseOnRoast · 16/08/2019 13:34

I remember when it was just 9 weeks old she told me she was in back garden and just to come straight in. I did and the puppy immediately growled at me. Friend was really impressed at her “guarding instinct” and did not appreciate me telling her that 9 week old puppies don’t guard!

OP posts:
rosydreams · 16/08/2019 13:39

guarding behaviour needs to be nipped in the bud tell her if its keeps guarding the house like that it will end up biting someone.If it bites someone the law requires it to be put down.If she loves the dog then teach it shes in charge

MrsMozartMkII · 16/08/2019 13:43

My two Rotties (same litter) didn't do that as pups. It's only now as they're reaching maturity that they're guarding, but even so if we're relaxed and say people can come in then they're fine and friendly.

I'd suggest to your friend that she gets a specialist trainer in to help.

PuffsMummie · 16/08/2019 14:12

Are you a canine behavioural expert, OP? If not, its not really your place to dish out any advice to your friend unless she asks for your opinion.

CPXMAS · 16/08/2019 15:00

All dogs mouth as puppies, its how they learn bite inhibition.

NoSauce · 16/08/2019 15:14

The “biting” is normal in a puppy that age but the growling is a worry. I’ve known one dog that growled as a puppy and it was due to being anxious, it did grown out of it eventually but with a breed such as a doberman it needs working on now not encouraging because the owner thinks it’s just guarding!

Pukkatea · 16/08/2019 15:23

Following on from NoSauce, dobermans are a very highly strung, neurotic breed. It's likely the puppy is anxious.

adaline · 16/08/2019 15:29

I don't know any 12 week old puppy that doesn't bite and nip - mine was a nightmare for it until he hit about 7 months (when he finished teething) - it's totally normal and absolutely isn't a sign of aggression.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths - it's how they eat and play, after all. The growling would concern me but it isn't necessarily aggression - it could be fear. If your friend is going to training classes then I suspect she'll speak to her trainer about it.

At 12 weeks old I wouldn't say this was an aggressive/dangerous dog.

Drogosnextwife · 16/08/2019 15:35

Maybe you should go in and give her some training tips,

abigailsnan · 16/08/2019 15:36

Seriously OPs if your friend is taking her dog to training classes she should be making it sit & stay when you visit if she can't manage to do this she is wasting her time with the classes.
A Doberman is a very highly strung breed and it sounds as though she has not researched the breed and training properly she will have problems in the future if she doesn't do things correctly in the near future.

HaileySherman · 16/08/2019 15:40

Yanbu. A proper protection dog is trained to look to its owner and take cues or instructions from them. Any dog deciding on its own to "protect" something is potentially dangerous. I have an extremely large dog who isn't trained to any particular purpose other than companionship and he has very protective tendencies, but it's never been growling, biting or menacing in any way. If his instincts are aroused he moves quickly between the perceived danger and the person he feels needs protection and kind of stays there to see what's up. I think that's perfect. I'm no dog behaviorist, so I could be off on that. Also since he's the best dog in the world, my viewpoint may be a little skewed lol.

nobodyimportant · 16/08/2019 15:42

Get her a copy of this book The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey

Wiltshirelass2019 · 16/08/2019 15:42

Stay away. I like dogs but I wish to god owners would realise that they all have the potential to attack. There are thousands of dog attack’s on people every year in the uk. It’s mad that people are so flippant about this.

krustykittens · 16/08/2019 15:49

I wish to God people would put some serious research into what it takes to be a good dog owner and what kind of breed they should get, before buying a dog. And I mean actually go out and TALK to experienced people and ask them their honest opinions on the dog and yourself. We are picking up a rescue puppy tomorrow who is being offloaded by an owner who didn't spend five bloody minutes training her and walking her and who is now pissed off that he hasn't got the perfect dog. YANBU OP - as others have pointed out, puppies mouth all the time and sometimes it hurts with those needle sharp teeth. But the 'guarding' is not OK and she needs to get on top of this right now. She is going to do herself, the general public and the dog no good if she treats it like a baby. I would make your concerns clear and hope she takes them on board. A trainer can only do so much if the handler doesn't listen or follow through.

AngelsSins · 16/08/2019 15:58

I think you need to keep in mind this is a 12 week old puppy, it IS a baby. If a human baby of 6 months kept hitting out, you wouldn’t assume it would grow up to be a thug!

Biting is so normal at that age, the growling, not so much, but she’s taking it to classes so is not completely irresponsible. I think you’re being a little over dramatic, but I agree that she does need to work on this behaviour. Owning a potentially dangerous animal does indeed require more responsibility.

ferretface · 16/08/2019 15:58

Guarding behaviour is based in fear and yes it does sound like this puppy is at risk of developing fear aggression if not very carefully trained and socialised. Growling at guests and backyard noises isn't ideal at that age.

Puppies do sometimes growl at guests though. Our pup was fine with most people but every now and then would have a visitor he wasn't keen on. We have worked hard to build his confidence and he is a pretty well adjusted teenager now.

The biting isn't aggression. It sounds like normal puppy play behaviour.

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/08/2019 15:58

This sounds like a really nervous, fearful dog.

It is NOT protecting its home, dogs do not naturally do that, they naturally protect themselves when they feel anxious/fearful etc.

You are spot on that the owner needs to recognise this for what it actually is, and address it properly.

Puppies do also bite, a lot, and can growl and bite in play and in instigating play/interaction - they need to be taught how to instigate play/communication appropriately and given suitable outlets for the need (and it is a need) to bite/chew.

NKFell · 16/08/2019 16:02

I agree with adaline- the biting/mouthing wouldn't worry me, I have a rottweiler and a border collie- both did the same as pups but wouldn't dream of it now. The growling would make me think the pup was scared and I'd think that would need to be addressed.

SomeAfternoonDelight · 16/08/2019 16:03

Maybe the puppy just doesn’t like you OP!

SconeofDestiny · 16/08/2019 16:06

I wouldn't accept a friend's dog biting me when visiting them. Just tell her that you won't be visiting her at home unless the dog is secured in the garden or another room.

BrunettesDoItBetter · 16/08/2019 16:11

My Chihuahua is very nervous around strangers,especially children for some reason.I got him when he was a puppy but he didn't start growling at people until he was an adult.Ive got him a "nervous dog" harness for when I take him out too.

bobstersmum · 16/08/2019 16:12

Mil was only telling us yesterday of a doberman they had a long time ago that was very very overprotective and didn't like strangers or children at all, I think they are beautiful dogs but I would be very wary. Could be puppy behaviour but won't be fun if it continues when it's big enough to hurt.