302. The lady who would not touch the snappying puppy.

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

The 40-something wife would not touch the puppy. Yet she was not against keeping the puppy.

"The puppy would not listen to my commands to stay out of the house," the lady said. Instead he would rush to my legs and try to bite me and bark at me."

Yet the puppy did not bark at her daughter or her husband who handled him and would be obedient to them. The husband with receding hairline shook his head when his wife asked me this same question at this subsequent visit. The daughter was not present today.

So, why did the behaviour vary?

"He is a male puppy," I said. "He may be an alpha male (dominant). So he thinks that you are his subordinate. He may also sense that you give him the attention whenever he barks at you."

" Really? I want him to know that I am the boss," the lady said. "I don't want to the puppy to touch me."

But the puppy would not listen to her commands and snapped at her toes. The puppy was trying to communicate with her by mouth. It is called "mouthing".

So, what's the solution for the wife?

"One possibility is neutering," I said. "But it is best to train the puppy with praises and treats."