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I've seen it said more than once on here that it's "okay" for dogs to growl because that's their way of warning that they are uncomfortable.
Then why isn't it okay to "growl" at an unruly puppy who is making you uncomfortable? Obviously I don't mean to imitate a dog's growl, but our human version is a firm verbal reprimand, and moving toward the dog to push him out of our space. This is what an adult dog would do to your puppy if he got too rough, and he'd comprehend that communication pretty easily. So why not do that?
I have no issue reprimanding and correcting a dog that is exhibiting rude behavior. I don't mean to beat the snot out of him, but let him know that you are not happy with his level of play/aggression. At 3 months old, you can instill in him the appropriate way to interact. Once he hits adulthood and has gotten away with bullying you for fun all that time, it might turn ugly if and when you ever try to force your hand and say "enough".
I think, just like with human children, we do them no favors by withholding discipline out of fear of them no longer "liking" us. Like I said, it doesn't have to be monumental, but pushing the dog down with a firm, "No!" and shooing him out of your space, then giving him an appropriate outlet for all of his energy (a toy, a task, whatever) seems like a balanced approach to me, and will yield results pretty quickly. I've never had a puppy/dog get rough with me because I don't tolerate it. Period. And it takes surprisingly little force to correct such behavior. Do it when they are young and they'll grow up just knowing that mauling you for fun just isn't an option.
But if you're that opposed to confronting the dog and correcting his behavior, he might not be the dog for you.
Then why isn't it okay to "growl" at an unruly puppy who is making you uncomfortable? Obviously I don't mean to imitate a dog's growl, but our human version is a firm verbal reprimand, and moving toward the dog to push him out of our space. This is what an adult dog would do to your puppy if he got too rough, and he'd comprehend that communication pretty easily. So why not do that?
I have no issue reprimanding and correcting a dog that is exhibiting rude behavior. I don't mean to beat the snot out of him, but let him know that you are not happy with his level of play/aggression. At 3 months old, you can instill in him the appropriate way to interact. Once he hits adulthood and has gotten away with bullying you for fun all that time, it might turn ugly if and when you ever try to force your hand and say "enough".
I think, just like with human children, we do them no favors by withholding discipline out of fear of them no longer "liking" us. Like I said, it doesn't have to be monumental, but pushing the dog down with a firm, "No!" and shooing him out of your space, then giving him an appropriate outlet for all of his energy (a toy, a task, whatever) seems like a balanced approach to me, and will yield results pretty quickly. I've never had a puppy/dog get rough with me because I don't tolerate it. Period. And it takes surprisingly little force to correct such behavior. Do it when they are young and they'll grow up just knowing that mauling you for fun just isn't an option.
But if you're that opposed to confronting the dog and correcting his behavior, he might not be the dog for you.
