• DON'T: Continue playing with an aggressive
    puppy.
    1. Stop playing immediately if your puppy is being aggressive with you personally. If he's hurt you with his teeth or claws, say a word like "Ouch!" loudly to let him know you don't approve of the behavior.
  • DO: Distract an aggressively behaving pup
    with a toy.
    1. Any toy will do (except a toy that actually brings out his aggressiveness).
  • DO: Use a harmless spray of water or loud
    noise to disrupt bad behavior.
    1. Remember — the idea is to simply halt the behavior, not create a fear response.
  • DO: Use a leash and/or head halter to
    control behavior.
    1. This can be done during supervised play either indoors or out. Remember to use gentle pressure during corrections to avoid causing injury to your puppy's neck.
  • DON'T: Act aggressively yourself.
    1. Don't try to manage your puppy's aggressive behavior by acting aggressively yourself. It's never appropriate or productive to hit or shake a puppy, or grab his muzzle.

      If your pup won't stop the undesirable behavior despite your best efforts, put him in his crate or another area of the house with a toy until he settles down.
  • DO: Engage in retrieving games.
    1. A game of fetch doesn't have to be strenuous or time consuming for you, and your puppy will tire out within a few minutes. If retrieving doesn't come naturally to your dog, incorporate treats into the game to reward her for returning the ball or Frisbee to you each time it's thrown.
  • DO: Keep your puppy mentally stimulated.
    1. A rubber treat-release toy, a puzzle toy, group activities like K9 nose work and other similar pursuits will exercise your dog's mind and keep boredom at bay.
  • DON'T: Play on the floor.
    1. Being down on her level puts you in a vulnerable spot and can overexcite your pup, making her more apt to mouth you, pounce on you, or scratch you.
  • DO: Incorporate basic obedience training
    into playtime.
    1. Have her sit and stay as part of your interaction with her. Make sure treats are used to reward a particular behavior and aren't given "just because." Only engage with your puppy when she's following your lead. If she tries to take over, ignore her for a few seconds. Take care not to reward any behavior you don't wish to encourage.
  • DON'T: Mimic your puppy's behavior
    during play.
    1. In other words, don't play with your dog as another dog would. Dogs play rough, and your pup could unintentionally hurt you. As a general rule, it's not a good idea to wrestle or get physical with your dog. You might inadvertently encourage aggressive behavior, and in addition, it's best to remain in a leadership role whenever you interact with her.