Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently, my now eight month old lab/pit mix puppy has came down with a VERY bad habit...

She's started snapping at me when I try to take something away from her that she is NOT supposed to have, or, if I am not paying her attention when she wants it...

Tonight, we were laying in bed watching a movie on tv... she was laying on the floor, and came up and put her head on the bed... I was half in/out of sleep... when suddenly she just jumped towards me barking and snapping...

Is there ANY suggestions on how to get her out of this habit and fast? It worries me that her temperment has changed so much in the past month.... And to make things worse... I'm currently pregnant and due in three weeks....

This has got to stop!

>>Recently, my now eight month old lab/pit mix puppy has came down with a VERY bad habit...
>>
>>She's started snapping at me when I try to take something away from her that she is NOT supposed to have, or, if I am not paying her attention when she wants it...
>>
>>Tonight, we were laying in bed watching a movie on tv... she was laying on the floor, and came up and put her head on the bed... I was half in/out of sleep... when suddenly she just jumped towards me barking and snapping...
>>
>>Is there ANY suggestions on how to get her out of this habit and fast? It worries me that her temperment has changed so much in the past month.... And to make things worse... I'm currently pregnant and due in three weeks....
>>
>>This has got to stop!

>>>>>>>>>>.

She's adolescent age and you have a baby coming so soon. Sounds like your best bet is to involve your veterinarian (to check her for medical problem causing this) and a behavior specialist or trainer.

Here are links to a couple of articles on dogs and children:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1661&S=1&SourceID=47

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1531&S=1&SourceID=47
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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

dogs do go through several stages & this is why its so important to establish training/bonding in the young pup. its not too late, but the more she does this, the harder it is to correct. you'll find lots of methods from the roughest/quickest to the more round about positive training that establishes a solid trust/learning foundation. The later will give you long term results, but takes patience, quality involvement & adherence to routine. The 'quick' method may give you an instant result, but in most cases it is a BIG gamble, cos you could increase the aggression &/or you do more harm to the dog-human relationship resulting in a very un predictable dog.
I'm sorry that this has happened, but your situation is serious & there is no easy answer.