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I have a 4 month old golden retriever(female)... georgeous dog... with one exception: she likes to play and likes to be scratched... but, when you stop... the "attack" starts... and I don't mean "puppy antics" I mean a full blown: growling, biting my arm, my leg, my back... not a "mouthing" but, a hard, leave a mark, bite...anything she can get her mouth on before I can try to escape.. and when I try to reprimand her with my deepest voice ("NO BITING" she just keeps on... biting my leg... growling... and keeps on coming at me... This is my first dog.. and I think she can sense the fear when she comes at me.... I have been told to "pinch her nose" "slap her with a newspaper" "grab her mouth".... I really don't like the concept of hitting dogs... I think it just forces them to be more aggressive... so, I am at a loss... I can't take her for walks.. out of fear that she will take a bite out of someone.. and she is an absolute nightmare on a leash... tugging, almost half choking herself...
Bottom line is: I love the her... she is my first puppy.. but, if I can't control her now as a pup... I am afraid that she will get totally out of control... If anyone has advice I would appreciate it! Thanks everyone!

>>I have a 4 month old golden retriever(female)... georgeous dog... with one exception: she likes to play and likes to be scratched... but, when you stop... the "attack" starts... and I don't mean "puppy antics" I mean a full blown: growling, biting my arm, my leg, my back... not a "mouthing" but, a hard, leave a mark, bite...anything she can get her mouth on before I can try to escape.. and when I try to reprimand her with my deepest voice ("NO BITING" she just keeps on... biting my leg... growling... and keeps on coming at me... This is my first dog.. and I think she can sense the fear when she comes at me.... I have been told to "pinch her nose" "slap her with a newspaper" "grab her mouth".... I really don't like the concept of hitting dogs... I think it just forces them to be more aggressive... so, I am at a loss... I can't take her for walks.. out of fear that she will take a bite out of someone.. and she is an absolute nightmare on a leash... tugging, almost half choking herself...
>>Bottom line is: I love the her... she is my first puppy.. but, if I can't control her now as a pup... I am afraid that she will get totally out of control... If anyone has advice I would appreciate it! Thanks everyone!>>>

You need the help of a good behavior specialist or trainer in person, very, very soon. You are right--this needs to be brought under control urgently soon, before the dog gets any older.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com