Giving up 12 week old puppy

[Ridusofyourstupidity]

Please please be kind.

I’ve been quite honest on here about losing my last puppy suddenly to anaphylactic shock and getting our new puppy a few weeks later. Now I’m not sure I can keep her due to her behaviour. It goes beyond anything I’ve experienced. She is 12 weeks old, weighs over 14kg and can reach chest height when she jumps against me.

She is repeatedly attacking me on a near constant basis with seemingly no reason. She will be chewing on a toy, lying down and get up to lunge and jump at me and bite my stomach, legs and arms while growling if I’m standing in the room even if I haven’t moved to draw attention to myself. If I ask for a sit or similar to distract her she’ll snap at me and ignore the request, although she does know ‘Sit’, ‘Down’, ‘Touch’ and will give both paws. When I have to carry her in from the garden she’ll growl and snap at my face. She is a large breed who isn’t meant to do stairs so this is unavoidable.

I can’t enter the room without her attacking me, she’ll bite the backs of my legs or jump up at my side to bite my arm. She’ll try and mount my leg while biting me if I’m still Leaving the room does nothing, she’ll try and block me leaving and she’ll continue when I return, even if calm. Toys do nothing as she will ignore them to jump and continue biting higher. Or she’ll pull my clothing like a tug toy while growling. I’ve tried every kind of toy but she let them go, snarl and dart under them to get back to biting me.

It is either very rough play or something more but it’s unmanageable. I’m now having to leave her alone in the kitchen as I can’t be in there with her, even when calm she will without warning launch at me. I keep trying to go in but it soon becomes too much as she doesn’t stop trying to get to me to bite. 15 mins is the most I’ve lasted with her ignoring toys and being latched on to me.

She’s incredibly difficult to walk even with no distractions as she’ll still attack me and bite me while we’re walking. She refuses all treats on a walk (I’ve tried several) and will pull, be incredibly hyper, running from left to right, and lunge and bite when I stay still.

I’ve done everything we covered in the puppy classes with my last puppy with her from the day we brought her home and none of this has made any difference. She has a marker word and all other commands are the same as before so everyone is on the same page. I’m not sure I’m going to make it through until Friday when I have a private training session booked. I’m utterly miserable and defeated.

My other puppy was a Mastiff cross so yes the research was done before bringing him home. When he sadly passed the information I had researched didn’t go away.

He was 19 weeks old when he passed and had calmed down considerably but he was never this bad even at his worst.

What a mixture! Breeder my arse, money grabbing arsehole is more accurate!
I work in rescue and sadly these large cross breeds come in all too often and incredibly difficult to rehome. I’m disgusted this was a deliberate breeding. Don’t think the greeder will be any use to you.

It wasn’t a deliberate breeding. Though I accept that may not have been the truth.

The point is, I know I’m doing something wrong and I’m doing all I can to rectify it, even though I don’t know what it is I’m doing wrong. That’s why the 1-2-1 help. I’m just struggling with the relentlessness of it.

You said she only goes for you but not your partner so that suggests that she doesn’t respect your position and the boundary is blurred. I think you said you had a trainer lined up to help? If not then I’d definitely look at a trainer/behaviourist. She sounds like she is a large put that will be a strong adult so getting boundary’s now is super important especially when she teaches 6-8months the equivalent of a teenager! I really feel for you as you are clearly a responsible owner wanting to do the best

I'm sorry but you should far too inexperienced for a dog like this. That dog has the potential to do a huge amount of harm and needs an experienced owner, which you are not. Return it.

A reputable breeder would not cross two huge dogs like that. You've been had by someone who just wants to make money. Did it not ring alarm bells that you could go and see a puppy and bring it home just two weeks later?!

What a ridiculous cross.

OP if you have the time and he money to put into a dog you need to put it into training. You can expect a 12 week old not to do what you're describing, it's a giant breed so the effect is greater than a little terrier.

When did you get him / her, were they ready to leave the mother?

Why did you want such a giant breed?

X-post. Accidental breeding my arse - she just wanted to make money.

I think you went about getting this dog completely the wrong way. You were grieving for your old dog and rushed out to get a replacement (in the nicest way) and didn't think about the practicalities. I think you saw mastiff crosses available and your heart took over and you bought one without thinking things through.

If you can't cope, the kindest thing for the puppy would be to take him to a reputable rescue centre and then I think you need to take a break from dog-ownership for a while and really do your research before getting another puppy.

Ok ignore all the grilling lets look at the situation.

You have a large breed puppy and need support in training.

I doubt you are doing anything wrong you just need help to be on the right track.

Buy easy peasy puppy squeezy the best £4.00 you will ever spend. I promise

If you want to pm me your area I can recommend a trainer that can help you.

A few 121 sessions and good advice will put you back in control and able to change the crazy puppy behaviour.

The behaviour you are describing is normal puppy behaviour but is 10 more in a larger pup.

Get some advice we all need help more so if things are close to home - you can sort this

Tbf returning to this idiot wouldn’t be a happy life, they will sell her on to anyone who again can’t manage her and highly likely end up dumped or pts. If you think you can commit to training her with reputable behaviourist then do it if not please find a rescue placement, there are several independent small rescues that specialise in rehabilitating large breed dogs, I strongly advise NOT returning her to do called breeder. Rescue is the only guarantee of keeping her safe.

Ok, I’m going to ignore the non helpful replies not because I haven’t read them but because I’m feeling low and vulnerable enough and writing out replies trying to defend myself isn’t something I’m feeling strong enough to do.

Make what you will of how she came about but before getting her I also read the article that’s been mentioned on puppy farming and not one thing on it applied. Whatever else they may have been, they weren’t puppy farmers or out for money. She was vaccinated, vet checked, incredibly healthy and the breeders have been in weekly contact. My vets commended them for the excellent job they had done ( she behaved at the vets!)

I love my puppy, to distraction. I want to keep her, raise her, and do a damn good job of it, whatever it takes. If it means daily 1-2-1’s to help me know where I’m going wrong, so be it. I didn’t post this to be told even more how shit and crap my decisions have been. Anyone who’s never had a dog before is inexperienced, no matter the breed they all have potential pitfalls, she just happens to be bigger.

She’s my dog, I just wish it was a little easier right now and I didn’t feel so miserable, but I will do the best I can with the trainer’s help.

Honestly OP 1-1 training is the way to go. It will help you so much and I would book a series of sessions with a good trainer. The key to having a series of sessions is that you can work on things that you didn't quite 'get' the previous week or still need help on as you progress.

Just because a dog isn't puppy farmed, it doesn't mean the breeder is decent. No one accidentally gets a St Bernard mated by a Mastiff. They're lying to you.

You can't cope with the puppy and it's only small. Take it back. If you can't stop it attacking you, you don't have a hope of controlling it when it's around a child.

Well said! You will sort this because you want to and you care. I can see you have done everything correctly so far but just like us humans every dog character is different and being such a big girl her actions seem so much worse than they would be it a small dog. Get the trainer in and get a plan and I’m sure she will turn into a wonderful adult dog. I’ve taken several rescues and not one has been the same and some of the pups have been little tinkers! But with kind, calm, consistent training turned into fantastic dogs. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

The trainer is the same on I went to for puppy classes before. She also does residential training which I considered may help with the walk issues. I’ve done heelwork with her from 9 weeks in the house because she couldn’t go down, but she really struggles. She’s very scent orientated so being able to sniff is more rewarding than any treat I offer right now.

You're frightened of her. And you can't be in the same room or take her for walks.

If you want a difficult dog, get a rescue. Why would you put yourself through that for a puppy?

Anyone who’s never had a dog before is inexperienced, no matter the breed they all have potential pitfalls, she just happens to be bigger.

First-time owners generally don't go for Spanish Mastiffs crossed with St Bernards, though. With respect, you've thrown yourself in at the deep end here!

But you seem determined to keep her, so you're going to need lots and lots of training. She's going to be a big dog, so you need to be able to control her. My dog is 17kg and can have me over if I'm not paying attention - your dog is going be 50kg plus. She could (accidentally) do a huge amount of damage if she knocks over a child or someone elderly or unsteady on their feet.

I would say the following are the most important things to focus on:

• loose lead walking
• having a gentle mouth
• stopping her jumping. She can't be allowed to jump at anyone no matter what - she's just too big and strong.
• obedience in public. She needs to be able to sit/down/stay on command. People find big dogs scary so she needs to be under control at all times.
• socialisation with other dogs is a must.

I would get in touch with a trainer who will provide solid 1-2-1 training on a weekly basis. You need to be really committed when it's such a big breed with the potential to do big damage.

Orchid I conceded that they may not have told me the truth, however personally I did believe them. Idiot I may be, but gut feeling counts for something to me. Mum came into season earlier than expected and so they weren’t prepared. Being a Saint and spaying not being recommended before at least 2, she was caught. Though understandably that begs the question, why wasn’t Dad done?

It’s a bit late now for me to be worrying about that really. I do not regret my choice to get her, because I can see the potential there. She’s chewing a chew on her bed at the moment and looking very innocent.

You all may be right and I’m not capable of training her, raising her and doing a good job of it. I’m going to do the best I can to try though because rightly or wrongly, she is my dog and she deserves the best I can give her.

If she is scent orientated maybe try some go find games and get her working. I put the dog in a room and say wait then I hide treats around the house, get her to sit and say “ go find” but point to areas for her to sniff at first pointing her to a hidden treat and as soon as she gets it “ good find” this teaches her firstly to wait on your instruction and to listen to your command and it gets the brain/nose engaged. A trainer will have loads of ideas ( I have had several scent hounds that are ruled by the nose )

Umm I think the OP knows what to focus on......

The problem is how to approach this her large bouncy enthusiastic puppy

orchid I’m not frightened of her, me leaving during the times this behaviour is happening has as much to do with making sure she’s comfortable and happy as it does with me removing myself because it hurts!

If I was scared my question would be ‘How do I go in to feed her?’ Or ‘how do I take her out to the toilet?’. Her care is fine, she’s fed, exercised, toileted, played with and groomed.

Shhhh thank you, we’ve got some scent aimed brain games and she’ll do those, I give her some enrichment activities too and there’s a different trainer to mine I’ve been in touch with who does scent training and he’s happy to work with her when she’s older and calmer.

Sorry the mastiff is also theirs? Of course they knew. If you're determined to keep her:

Scent games -

Big cardboard box (you may need a plastic tub with a dog of her size) with toys and bits of fabric in it with stinky things run through is good. Make your own liver treats - they're easy and stinky but dry.

Hide treats around the house as a pp said.

Make a trail to you and make her sit until you release her

Get a toy and hide it in the garden, reward when she finds it

Judgment isn't going to help you here so some practical advice:

1. All is not lost. Don't be embarrassed to talk to the breeder, if they are at all worth their salt they will be familiar enough with the foibles of each breed to provide tips (if they start talking about punishing the dog or dominance you can write them off sharpish).

1. She's still a (very big) baby and there's still time, but you are entering in to a key window in her life for socialisation and it is very important that she has positive experiences with a diverse array of people on the next couple of weeks.

1. You're too close to this, you need an experienced canine behaviourist (not any old self-styled trainer) to come and observe how you behave together and to advise accordingly. Positive reinforcement models only.

1. What is your routine? If she doesn't have one, start making one. Dogs like boundaries and predictability. Start keeping a diary and noting when the flare ups happen.

1. Don't forget to praise her good behaviour when it happens. Are you using a clicker? Check out Kikopup's YouTube videos for lots of excellent guidance and how to's on a number of issues and behaviours.

1. Might be worth contacting Dogs Trust for advice, they work with difficult behaviours regularly and may be able to refer you to an experienced practitioner.

1. You need to understand what the triggers are - is she resource-guarding, hyper-stimulated or frightened? What are you doing when these behaviours happen?

1. Is she getting enough age-appropriate exercise?

1. How long has she been with you? I wouldn't normally expect a pup to leave their mother before 12 weeks.

1. Does she have access to appropriate chew toys / bones so that you can redirect mouthy behaviours in a positive way?

If you buy one book, make it John Bradshaw's In Defence of Dogs.

Good luck and well done for looking for help.

I agree with others, speak to the breeder.

In the meantime, a 12week old puppy is not (yet) malicious or "agressive". She is just a toddler, albeit a boisterous one.

Firstly, ask yourself, how scared you are of your puppy. 1 not at all, 10 wee my pants! Anything above 6, return her to the breeder, as your fear will influence the puppy in a negative way. Dogs pick up and feed from our emotions, they have a 6th sense.
If it is below 6, you can work hard and overcome your fear and build a good bond with your puppy.
Best is 1:1 training with someone who knows about the breed. (I know, not always available....)
Below 4 you can fix this with firm handling & good training 1:1 or small group.
If you want to give it a go, try and think like your puppy. (Dogs are predators... It's up to us to teach them what we want from them and how to interact with us.)
As I understand it, she is separated from you ... lonely ?...
so when she sees you she is very excited... just like any other puppy by jumping, snapping and holding on to things (at the moment it's you. ) You need to re direct this, a firm no / leave / whatever and turning away will give her the initial message!
From there, you need to build on it, have her with you most of the time. Play with her - on your terms.
Leave her for a few minutes and establish the acceptable greeting protocol.... as above.
Be firm and consistent! It may take some time, but she will learn, as she definitely wants to spend time with you!