11:38am Tuesday 8th January 2008
Dog expert Howard Kirby says: FROM six months of age upwards, your puppy moves into an adolescent stage.
You suddenly start to notice that the puppy that was reluctant to leave your side and always came back the moment that you called is now starting to view the world through the eyes of a cavalier explorer.
Some puppies will start to become protective of their pack - that's you and your family - growling, barking and threatening approaching people or dogs.
These unpleasant behaviours can be exhibited for two quite opposite reasons.
A shy, slightly timid puppy might be nervous of what they perceive as approaching enemy and react aggressively in the hope of frightening away the intruder. This behaviour usually works and this serves to reinforce the behaviour.
A bolder, more dominant puppy also wants to protect its pack, the difference being that the puppy is not necessarily frightened.
It just wants to take charge of the pack and the local park.
Both of these youngsters will need positive leadership.
The nervous puppy will need to be taught that there is nothing to be frightened of while the bolder pup will need to be discouraged from assuming the role of pack leader and taught that whilst walking in the park it is not necessary to threaten our fellow walkers.
It's a bit like educating teenage sons and daughters. If your pup starts to exhibit these behaviours and you are an inexperienced handler make sure that you seek professional advice as this needs to be nipped in the bud well before the behaviour escalates and becomes difficult to manage.
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