Is it normal

[The_Strider]

for a puppy to start growling and getting very angry when it is picked up. (its a pommeranian)

[The_Strider]

so is it normal

[Cassiepeia]

Nope, I would say not.

How old is it and what is it's background?
Has it been to a vet? It may be in pain or some discomfort.

Cass.

[FurryAngel33]

I would say that is not normal.
Pommeranians are Lap dogs, and should love to be held.
Whats his Background?

[Carrie]

How old is your puppy? How long have you had it? Who did you get it from? I would definitely get it checked by a vet. And then....what do you do when it growls at you? What is going on otherwise when this happens? Does your pup demand things from you that you give when he wants? What do you do with your pup in the way of any kind of learning? There would need to be more information and some more details in order to make any kind of opinion.

[gaddylovesdogs]

I know a small dog that doesn't enjoy being picked up. She's sort of independent and doesn't like being held a lot.

[Carrie]

Yeah Gaddy, but the dog shouldn't be growling and getting angry. What happens down the road when the dog needs to be picked up to get into a car or examined by a vet? My dogs don't like a lot of things I need to do with them, but they don't growl at me.

But in order to have even a clue as to what to do, more details are needed.

[The_Strider]

he starts biting as well he was born in april weve had him for 2 weeks .
I bought him in a pet shop.

[calgal]

**** PET SHOPS AGAIN!! Doesn't anyone listen???? Cripes!!!

Strider, the pet shops get their dogs from puppy mills. http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affe...n_puppy_mills/

Take it to the Vet. for a check up. Sounds like she was mistreated and has an injury.

[The_Strider]

Thanks alot.

I think its time to put a stop to this.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Strider, some people are very very sensitive to people buying their puppies from pet shops. In fact, we're all sensitive to this.. some more than others. Please excuse Calgal. Pet Shops acquire their puppies from Puppy mills. Puppy mills are a horrible, horrible places, where puppies are kept in small cramped cages, often times filthy as well as adult dogs being kept this way. Puppy millers only want money out of the breedings. They have no feelings what-so-ever about their dogs, unless that dog contains all of their reproductive organs in order to produce a litter of pups. They do not take temperment (which MAY be your issue), health (another), whether the breed conforms to the breed standard, what it has to offer to its breed for improvement, etc. Just a tip from all of us here... stay away from pet shops to buy puppies There are plenty in shelters and rescues needing homes, and there are some breeders out there who DO breed their dogs correctly, but take a lot of researching and interviewing to find.

Anywho, onto your question....

To be sure your pup isn't in any pain, take him/her to the vet. If nothing is wrong, I suggest you start some serious training with your pup. Your pup needs to learn that YOU are the boss and YOU can pick him/her up whenever you please. Carrie can give you a lot of useful information if there isn't anything health wise with your pup.

[Carrie]

What a bummer. I hope everything will be OK. These puppy millers have no regard for temperament either when they put two dogs together. So, it may take some extra work on your part to socialize the pup A LOT and work with him A LOT. You'll need lots of patience not to get angry or aggressive back at him because that will only escalate things. There are ways to deal with this.

What's he like otherwise....his personality. Is he shy at all? Is he playful and does he come running up to greet you enthusiastically? Is he interested in objects and checking things out, getting into no no's like a normal pup? How have you been disciplining him and how does he react? What is he allowed to do and not do. He is just a baby so he needs to be understood and treated gently, but he also needs to know who is the one who gives him everything he likes and needs and he needs to earn it. Don't give him anything unless he performs some obedience skill for you first. But ya gotta teach him sit, stay, down first. I'd start with sit. He doesn't get pats, food, treats, going outside, anything without obeying a command first. In my opinion, don't be scolding a pup, especially one you're not sure of his temperament. His education about who's whom isn't going to be about a contest of wills, dominataion or intimidation. It's going to be about trusting and looking up to you and all the family as the ones who are letting him have a life. LOL. And you're the ones keeping him safe and secure because you've got it together. Flying off the handle or anger, scolding just makes the humans look weak. So, patience, assertiveness, confidence, kindness, gentleness, consistancy, rules, reward for following rules....that is sort of where I'm going with this.

But do find out if there's anything physically wrong. And we've got to get an idea of what this dog's personality/body language is like. It's hard over the Internet. He'll probably turn out fine, but if he's not progressing, you might need a trainer to come and help you in person.

We've got a real trainer here on Global Paw so she'll probably come to the thread. But these are some of my ideas in the meantime that are sort of generally the way to treat an animal regardless. I suspect he'll be fine if you catch it early and handle it right.