Puppy flipped out when walking!

Just taken our little bolo out for a walk in the rain. He was jumping up a bit at our legs which normally means he doesn't want to go for a walk but once we get going this normally stops.

After we got a little further we went to take him off his lead like normal but he kept trying to bite our hands. Ok, this sometimes happens too. Normally nothing major.

But after getting his lead off he was really jumping up and trying to bite. So I picked him up to calm him down which he did for a few seconds, but then he really started growling and wriggling so I put him down. Again he started jumping and trying to bite us! He eventually drew blood from both of us and was really growling and going for our hands!

We then struggled to get his lead back on which we eventually did and he seemed ok again and carried on walking!

Never seen him get angry and grumpy like that before. We were a bit concerned as he has been so good for ages now.
Is it a case of just being grumpy because it's raining and he doesn't want to be out, then handling him just accentuated this?

Since we got home he has just been his normal chilled self again!!

Getting him used to rain may take time but not making a fuss. When he tries to jump and bite turn ur back and totally ignore him he will realise the biting isnt acceptable. Soon as he stops give him plenty praise.

We tried turning away but he will just sink his teeth into the backs of our legs which is more painful than the fronts to be honest!

Is this serious biting or playing/excitement? If it really is the former, I think you need a professional behaviourist to help you. It's highly unusual behaviour in a puppy and nigh on impossible for us to really understand what's going on, and you need to make sure your whole way of being with him is right. It's not something that we can really do without being there.

definately wasn't excitement, he's not that keen on the rain anyway to go out for the toilet, once he was back on the lead he was ok, but just wanted to get home! He's been a perfect puppy since we've been home!
He had just had some jabs at the vets too, so not sure whether that contributed to his how grumpy he got!?

Hey, how old is he?

16 weeks tomorrow

At that age is is highly unlikely aggression and could be a result of the rain and the shot. If the behavior continues at home it could be he has an injury and when you picked him up he was in pain. Have you considered getting a rain jacket or carrying an umbrella?

He was perfectly normal when he got back home. I think he was grumpy at being in the rain, having had a shot at the vets and possibly teething too. When we got home he chewed a brand new cigar rawhide for about 40 mins, almost got 3/4 of the way through it which makes me think his teeth were hurting. He's never chewed one for that long before.

We're your puppies ok with going out walking in the rain? It's the first time ours has been out properly for a walk when its tipping it down.

This is a tough one as we weren't there to observe but at 15 weeks it's unlikely to be true aggression, however, this behaviour needs to be Kerbed now.

It could well be a combination of teething and the rain but you have to take control and not allow him to bite. If this means picking him up and holding him until he settles or just stopping and not interacting until he sits. How are his commands coming on ?

I would concentrate on those commands with really high value treats and get them going good at this early age, it should pave the way for a better teenage phase.

His commands are coming on really well. Everything is. This was just a one off incident which is why it seemed so weird!
He didn't seem to like being held so will try ignoring and treating when we walk him next, if it happens again.

I didn't take Marley out in the rain when it was bad, well he wouldn't let me haha! He hides when it's raining and he used to hold himself all day instead of going outside! I tried an umbrella and that just frightened him tbh! I'm thinking of getting a doggy coat too! Marley loves the bath I think it's when rain hits his face that he doesn't like it! Hope he gets better for you

Haha, that's funny about Marley!

Well I'll report back on what he is like tonight when we go for a walk, doesn't look like it's going to rain so he may be ok

Little update for you all...
So after talking to the dog trainer at the puppy classes we have been going to, we learnt that bolo is trying to dominate and be the boss!
As we were letting him on the sofa and bed, he was thinking he ran the roost and could do what he liked!
Our trainer said to stop him going on the sofa and bed and basically be a bit more controlling and strict.
We have been doing this for almost a week now and he has changed. Hasn't had a proper nip whilst walking now, and if he does he gets a very stern and strong telling off.
Amazing how little things you are unaware of make such a big difference to the dogs mindset.

Glad it gotten better for you all

Hiya! Dominance theory isn't something that we subscribe to on a forum as a whole, all of our dogs are on beds and sofas! We control when our dogs eat, sleep, walk, go outside, get veterinary treatment.. The list goes on, and people think they're dominating us?!?

There are other ways of being a leader with gentle guidance, positive reinforcement, and teaching your dog what you DO want them to do - rather than suppressing their natural behaviours. Understand that you're new to this, but there are much better ways of training.

Please, pretty please, find another trainer. That whole dominance thing is very outdated and, as Rachel says, there are so much better ways.

Have a read through this:

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t62292-debunking-the-myth-the-dominance-theory

And just to put it in some context, in wild situations where animals do vie for supremacy, usually to do with mating rights, etc., it can be very physical with a serious risk of getting hurt. Is that really what a puppy's going to be doing?

I know it can seem that dominance theory training can work, but it's usually because through any training method you end up being more aware of what everyone's doing, and you put some sort of structure in place that youngsters respond to. It is, though, perfectly possible to have this while having your pup up on the sofa with you. It would be so sad to diminish your relationship and rely on stern tellings off when more positive methods are so much more effective and enjoyable.

I know, I add this link to so many threads but she is great - have a look at these videos, not a stern word in sight:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C724F6F6A597540

Isn't that lovely?

Thanks guys...will take a look with interest at the links and videos.
Our dog will be allowed on the sofa and bed eventually, we love him being up with us but only when invited up. At the moment he will just jump up at speed and he needs to know his boundaries that's all.

The trainer we go to is really good, a lovely lady.