Puppy bit another dog at classes today

Hi so you may know we have had Titan now for 2 weeks, Last wed was his first time at dog training classes, and tonight was his second time. Last week he growled at all dogs and offered to fight with all of them. (Hes 6months)

Today he was doing really well, growled at one dog, him and another staffy (Who hated each other last week) Did lots of rolling around, sniffing and licking eachother.
Though at the end all the dogs get let off their leads and loads of toys get chucked and they all run around playing, We did not let Titan off as we know he still isnt 100% so we kept him inbetween me and my partners seat with his lead and harness on, and he had his toy.
Another dog (cocker spaniel -think he was quite young) Came pounding over and jumped on Titan to grab his toy, Titan in his defence turned round and took hold of its ear (Meaning then some other dogs got wound up and joined in too!) the cocker spaniel was screaming for a good 10mins (poor thing! felt so guilty!) we ovb pulled titan away straight away and some others came and helped.

What do you suggest i do now? I think aswell Titan was doing it in his defence but at the same time it shouldnt have happened. Should i continue taking him to the classes? should i just leave before all the dogs get off the lead? should i get a muzzle?

(Might add the toy he was protecting is one he stole from class last week and wont return it)

No, dont muzzel him, keep at it. Socialation is key here, ( please excuse the spelling). The more you expose him to different situations the better he'll become. I dont think it's real aggression, 6 months is quite young, but i may be wrong. Im sure some1 here can help

If I where you imo I would take him out of the class, keeping him on lead watching isn't socialising, could be more a tease/threat when they are free and he is not.

Can you socialise when out on walks, walking with a friends dog, or a dog you can trust and see how he goes?

Moo can be a handfull when onlead but a different dog when off.

agreed Tilly can be barky and snappy on the lead and then fine off she justfeels frustrated

I don't think it was aggression either. It is most likely a result of him not having been properly socialized before so he hasn't been taught what is acceptable or learned bite inhibition.

If you have a friend that has an older and well socialized dog see if you can go for a walk with them. Start with the dogs on opposite sides and gradually bring them together so they are walking side by side.

If he is guarding his toys try socialization without the toys and then slowly introduce then and start working on the leave command to get him used to dropping his toy.

janey wrote:
If I where you imo I would take him out of the class, keeping him on lead watching isn't socialising, could be more a tease/threat when they are free and he is not.

I agree with this. If you're not going to let him off lead to run around with the others then you should take him out. The overall atmosphere of all the other pups running around could well be too much for him at the moment, especially with a favourite toy! Maybe at a later date he'll be more settled & he'll be able to join the rough & tumble.

However, bear in mind that although most staffs can & do play nicely with other dogs one at a time, not all will welcome a free for all with several dogs pouncing.

I dont really know anyone here with an older dog (We just moved here like a month ago)
The only person we know is my partners mum, it wouldnt be every day as they live 20mins away, and there dog isnt old, its a collie almost 2, but IMH hes not well trained, though does get on with other dogs, i dont think Titan ikes dogs jumping on him etc and i think Riley (mother in laws dog) would jump (friendly but dont think Titan would care haha)

We are not sure if the first half of class is worth it, i dont think its benificial but my partner did though, apart from the socialisation theres nothing i cant do myself at home.

The thing about where we live, and walk around is that everyone else lets there dogs off the lead and let them come up to Titan, im scared he might turn on them.

At home if my son was to go up to him when he has a bone/toy he will just growl a little and walk away

Steven wrote:At home if my son was to go up to him when he has a bone/toy he will just growl a little and walk away

I wouldn't be too keen on that, myself. Is your son old enough to know how to offer a treat & swap the treat for the toy?

Caryll wrote:

Steven wrote:At home if my son was to go up to him when he has a bone/toy he will just growl a little and walk away

I wouldn't be too keen on that, myself. Is your son old enough to know how to offer a treat & swap the treat for the toy?

That would put me off a little as well. Are you making him sit and wait before feeding or giving a treat?

Its a tough one and also about your confidence as a handler as well as Titans.

Moo was 10mnths ish when I got her, I let her off lead after an hour of having her in the back of a car, instantly she was and has been fine.

I didn't socialise her as (I) reccomended as I didn't no anyone either, fourtunatly I could walk her in a place where I barely meet other dogs.

She has always been fine, either ignores or sniffs and struts on.

After 2 years she now has a playmate, its great to watch

I suppose in a long winded way I'm saying you need to build a trust, try a long line so he has freedom and you have control and see how you go

Soz for the long post lol

No hes only one, We dont let him go near the dog when the dog has his bone, and Titan gets his fave toy to play with outside.

The growl has happend a few times but we take our son away before he gets close as he doesnt understand what could happen.
Our son does give him treats though.
Was just saying this so you could see how he differs at home than how he re acted at class today


No im not meaning he gave the dog a bone/toy i mean when the dogs sitting eating it and my son goes near Titan, Titan will growl get up with his toy and walk away from my son.

When my son did give Titan a treat (Long one for little fingers) I either get the dog to sit myself, then son gives treat, or its when dogs in his crate sitting

What i mean is keep at the classes, but id leave before free play, i agree with all the advice above. There's alot of experianced peeps here

I see what you mean, I'm just paranoid about food/possession aggression. I don't like it & I stop it asap usually.

Does he growl at you if he has a bone or toy?

He did growl when i first got him and gave him a bone but now i can take anything away from him without any problems.

I'd keep an eye on things with your son. If you hear him growl, step in & very calmly say "No" and get him to sit. Then take the toy/bone, praise him & give it back.

He must be taught to understand that it doesn't matter how young/weak a human is, he mustn't be possessive about food or possessions.

I'm in no way sugesting that there's a problem - Titan sounds a really nice, friendly boy. It's just that I've seen the result of a food aggressive dog with a toddler & I have no wish to see/hear of it again. As I said, I'm a bit paranoid with it!

If there is a particular toy/food he obsesses over and becomes agro, take it away and dont give it back. he needs to learn that nothing is his, everything belongs to YOU.