I just adopted a 6 month old mix named Zoey. She's slightly bigger than a finnish spitz in size, and appears to have some finnish spitz in her, but we do not know what she is. Anyway, she is a very sweet dog, loves to be around me and other people (though is already attached to me), very calm around kids, great with other dogs (except those that are hyper--they scare her). She did have a previous owner, but they gave her up due to lack of time. She is not spayed.

So last night went pretty well with her--she stayed close to me, was gentle around the cats (which it was unknown whether or not she would be good with them), didn't have any accidents in the house and was just the ideal dog. She did bite me once, but it was more of a protective bite because I picked her up in what I assume was the wrong way (I picked her up a couple other times and she didn't get upset). She was very timid and submissive, though.

Today, on the other hand, has been different. I'm a student and had to work, so my mom stayed home with Zoey all day while I was gone. Zoey pooped in the house, bit my mom a couple of times, and started barking at our cats. Just now she bit me when I was trying to brush her (she is shedding like crazy because of her long coat, and we can't get her in to get groomed until we get a verification of her rabies vaccine). It's like she's gone 180--perfect, yet shy dog yesterday, now a bit aggressive. I'm wondering if perhaps she was mistreated by her previous owners, and maybe this behavior is related to that? It's been a long time since I've been around a puppy, but I never remember getting such a hard bite, only some light ones due to teething.

What I'm wondering is, is this behavior normal or not normal? And what can I do about it?

[chevy & karen]

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

I just adopted a 6 month old mix named Zoey. She's slightly bigger than a finnish spitz in size, and appears to have some finnish spitz in her, but we do not know what she is. Anyway, she is a very sweet dog, loves to be around me and other people (though is already attached to me), very calm around kids, great with other dogs (except those that are hyper--they scare her). She did have a previous owner, but they gave her up due to lack of time. She is not spayed.

So last night went pretty well with her--she stayed close to me, was gentle around the cats (which it was unknown whether or not she would be good with them), didn't have any accidents in the house and was just the ideal dog. She did bite me once, but it was more of a protective bite because I picked her up in what I assume was the wrong way (I picked her up a couple other times and she didn't get upset). She was very timid and submissive, though.

Today, on the other hand, has been different. I'm a student and had to work, so my mom stayed home with Zoey all day while I was gone. Zoey pooped in the house, bit my mom a couple of times, and started barking at our cats. Just now she bit me when I was trying to brush her (she is shedding like crazy because of her long coat, and we can't get her in to get groomed until we get a verification of her rabies vaccine). It's like she's gone 180--perfect, yet shy dog yesterday, now a bit aggressive. I'm wondering if perhaps she was mistreated by her previous owners, and maybe this behavior is related to that? It's been a long time since I've been around a puppy, but I never remember getting such a hard bite, only some light ones due to teething.

What I'm wondering is, is this behavior normal or not normal? And what can I do about it?

How was it that you picked her up? Could she be hurt or have something wrong and when you picked her up it hurt her? Did you pick her up the same way as the other time's when it did'nt bother her?Did it seem like she was afraid when you picked her up or did she yelp or anything? Has she been checked by your vet? Sorry for all the question's I'm just wondering why such a drastic change..

[AuntieDale]

That is weird - I agree, see if she's okay. If she is, how is your Mom with dogs? I guess that is the other variable here, you were at school/work, and maybe she's more comfortable in her new area and testing the limits of who is boss? Are you perhaps more firm with her than your Mom is?

Pretty scary though, from shy to biting...I think you should definitely check and see if she's okay first. Oh, pardon my ignorance, but how big does a finnish spitz get? I'm not familiar with that breed!

[chevy & karen]

How are thing's going with Zoey?