have a black mouth puppy-need advice-may be aggres

[neurlei]

Hi, I just got a black mouth puppy. He is 3 months old-13 wks and is very loyal to me but seems to be mixed with something else. And also when men walk by he barks at them-even men he knows-and yesterday there was a young child over and when the 4 yr old played with this oversized ball [rolling on it] my dog stood up with his hair up and he was growling and barking at the kid. He even started walking over to him but I grabbed him. Was he protecting him or going for him? I don’t know what to think. He is so smart! I have had him 1 week and he already knows sit, paw and lay down and he comes when you call him he’s great but he looks like he’s going to be huge and if that is the case, I am afraid for any children that come over. Anyone who knows anything about this breed pls help. If it is a protective instinct that’s great but if not, I need to stop it now while he is young.

[EJ]

AT such a young age .... I think your pup shouldnt be so "wary" of strangers. I have a pup about the same age .... she will bark at "strangers" or new things ... but quickly warms up and becomes friendly. NOW is the time you should expose your pup to as many new things as possible..... always be there with him and reassure him that others are his friends ..... if the kids come over often..have them give him treats. You have to watch some kids around pets..as they seem to think of them as a play thing rather than a living creature. Be patient ..but at the sametime let him know what behavior you EXPECT from him .... if you let his distrust grow..you will have a problem on your hands as he gets older.

[neurlei]

so I take it that he is agreesive. One thing I forgot to mention. He barks at men that he knows when they do certain things yet when I am not around it is a different story; he runs with his tail under him like they are going to hurt him or something. I got him from a Kill shelter and he seemed so timid but now he is all tuff. When my step father I had him give him cookies as he walked up and my dog did not bark at him at that point but then he did 5 minutes later... How do you break them of something like this? Will the cookies eventually work? THanks again.

[EJ]

Apparenly at one time he must have been mistreated by a man for him to be so fearful. He MIGHT be able to get over this .. but it will take time and patience. I have a dog that was raised by women almost the first year of his life .... he is VERY partial to women and protective of them. He isnt aggressive towards men ... so he is not a problem. The "working breeds" are VERY strong willed .... it takes a person that is able to be firm with them and not allow them to get away with "improper" behavior ..... if you have the time and patience..your pup has a chance to get over his bad behaviors.