7 month old puppy becoming aggressive

[birgittestyle]

We have a 7 month old border terrier who has been very laid back and relaxed once out of the early puppy chewy/bitey stage. We were very firm and strict with him then, as advised in puppy class, keeping him in his pack position and it all seemd to be going well.
However in the last couple of days he has started being aggressive - growling and snapping when we try to pick him up (to get him into the car for a walk) or move him. We are never getting him to do something he doesnt like so it doesnt seem to be a reaction to what might be coming. This has coincided with him becoming quite randy for the first time - is this a usual connection?
Does anyone have any advice as to how I should deal with this? We have 3 DCs, the youngest is 8 and I do not want them to be be afraid around him and to be able to handle him without him snapping.
I should mention that 3 days ago he was seen by the vet (day before aggressive behaviour) and she remarked on how sweet and easygoing his nature is. She did a general check up so there is nothing that makes me think it is his physical health.
Is this just raging hormones? What do I do?

[adaline]

Have you had him checked at the vets OP?

I don't want to worry you but things like avoiding stairs/jumping on things and an aggressive response when you lift him all point to hip dysplasia.

Although young dogs shouldn't be jumping on every high surface the fact that he actively avoids it and struggles with it is a bit a red flag to me - sorry

[adaline]

And please don't keep picking him up! He's told you he doesn't like it so don't ignore it.

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

I have to admit, adaline, that was my worry too.
Sadly, Borders are a breed that has hip dysphasia as a “common” health issue. For that reason, I would be following the exercise time guidelines relatively stringently.
Were the parents hip scored?

[birgittestyle]

I dont think the parents were hip scored - I will check with the breeder. He is fine with the stairs in the house but only likes to be where the people are which is generally downstairs so he chooses to follow whoever he finds most interesting. If action moves upstairs he happily foloows.
The beds are particularly high and so is the car so I dont think would ever be possible for him. Would the hip dysphasia present itself like this? Would I not see it in other situtations - stairs/sofa - where he seems very comfortable? He lepas about very happily in the park mostly playing with much higher dogs.
I did follow the walking guidelines at the beginning but when he is off lead and just playing I am more flexible with the timing. He spends very little time on the lead - I would say probably max 15 mins a day.

The children are not picking him up since he snapped and with this stroking and reassurance from me he didnt snap at all yesterday. I wil also get the hips checked. Would he show pain otherwise for the hips as he seems so happy and agile and was seen by the vet on Monday. Is it a sudden onset? Many thanks for the help

[adaline]

Yes it could present itself like that - but he's also very young for it to show on an x-ray.

But it's also possible he just doesn't like being picked up! Most dogs don't - it's not a natural experience for them so they don't enjoy it. Best thing to do is leave him on the floor and encourage him up to places - the only time I lift my dog is onto the table at the vets as I know he doesn't enjoy it so why would I make him go through it?

[mumofthree321]

Our spaniel cross has had a hip/back problem for 7yrs (MRI's etc all came back unexplained). When the vet examines her at her 6 monthly checks there is always pain in that area. He checks it's not getting worse and she's clearly very uncomfortable when he manipulates the area gently in his checks. BUT, despite this, if she sees someone carrying a tennis ball, there are treats in a pocket etc she jumps like a kangaroo! So, what I'm saying is please get your dog's joints checked over by a vet. He may seem energetic and pain free but dogs have an amazing ability to learn to 'live with' pain and us be unaware it's there. I agree with many of the comments that he's most likely snapping because of pain. He's not being naughty by snapping so don't punish him for it - it's his way of communicating with you so listen to him trying to tell you and adjust your behaviour. Please find someone to help with any training who doesn't use a pack theory. You should be building a trusting relationship between you both. Good luck and enjoy him :)

[Booboostwo]

A number of orthopedic problems could account for his reaction from a herniated disc to OCD to hip or elbow dysplasias. Best let an experienced vet do a general check up with the recent change in behaviour in mind.

I recently had an adult dog that suddenly started crying out when we were, gently, stroking him. He was very reactive to the vet manipulating his back close to his neck but no evidence of a problem in x-rays, CT or MRI. All these tests took a few weeks and we left a trail of perplexed specialist in our wake while the dog was still very much in pain...it ended up being a gum infection!

[birgittestyle]

Over the weekend he discovered he can jump up into the children's beds but he is still not happy about the car - could also be connected to not really liking being in the car. He doesnt snap now but he reverses. I will have him checked again as I agree with the ability they have to 'live with pain'. He is otherwise in good spirits, jumping rolling playing with other dogs and with the children. Will see what the vet says. Not going back to trainer.

[Booboostwo]

Overall it sounds behavioural BUT it is always worth eliminating a physical cause before treating something as a behavioural issue so I think you are right to check first.

Is he car sick? That can definitely put them off the car. The vet can give you medications that work on some dogs and they usually grow out of it. Until they do it's best to take then only on short journeys and try to increase the positive associations with the car, e.g. treats for moving towards the car, try to feed him in the car etc. but all done with luring and shaping, no pulling or picking up.

[adaline]

If he doesn't like the car in general that might explain things. But that doesn't mean you should be lifting him - he needs to get in of his own accord if he's physically able.

Lure him in with treats - something really high value and getting him used to being in the car without it moving should help. If he gets car sickness can you see if the vet can give you something to help?

Lots of rewards for being in/near the car. Maybe get someone to sit in the back with him for reassurance at first?

[MattMagnolia]

He’s a little pup of a small breed, of course he’s going to be lifted frequently. It’s ridiculous to say don’t lift him because he doesn’t like it. He must be lifted into the car, onto beds and anywhere else too high for him to jump, he’s not a greyhound.
I agree his grumpiness suggests something is hurting.

[adaline]

No, he doesn't need to be lifted - there are ways around it. Ramps or stairs, for example, or the dog can just stay on the floor!

Most dogs do not like being lifted up and carried. It's not a natural thing for them so I don't know why people insist on doing it.

[tabulahrasa]

“He’s a little pup of a small breed, of course he’s going to be lifted frequently”

But he’s not, he’s a nearly adult sized terrier...

Now admittedly I don’t know any border terriers well, but I do know some chihuahuas, Lhasa’s and a pug - they all manage to get in and out of car boots and on to furniture themselves and they’re either smaller or less athletic than a border terrier.


So I don’t think not lifting him is unrealistic tbh.

[Wolfiefan]

A relative has a border. It’s never lifted. A very independent beastie with a strong sense of self!