Winnie is perfect - except for this one major issue....

[WinniePug]

Winnie has just turned 10 months old and is just the sweetest Pug ever. She is normally calm, friendly, and playful, but she does get overly excited when people come over. She does have a tendency to want to nibble on fingers (gently), as her way of saying "hello" (only last a couple minutes), which I try to stop her when she starts doing that. That's not the problem -

I can be petting Winnie or she may be laying by herself on the couch, then suddenly, when my wife walks in the room - BAM!!! Winnie is on her like a mad dog, biting her feet and ankles like she's trying to kill something - it happens daily to my wife when she comes home from work, and it happens to certain people that come over. It also happens to me every once in a while when I am outside cleaning up after her - she'll be walking the yard, playing with her toys, then she'll walk close to me and as I start walking, she'll just attack my feet like she wants to kill them. It is very strange and random (except for my wife's feet - that's daily). Sometimes she'll stop if you stop walking, but other times she keep biting my wife's feet while she stands still trying to keep Winnie from attacking her.

When we try to stop her, she'll just take off and start sprinting laps around the coffee table, or piano, or the dining room table before she comes back for more. These events last about 5 minutes, then she's calm again, as if nothing happened (except for her exhausted state), but imagine an angry dog trying to bite you for 5 minutes.

Aside from this strange behavior, Winnie is perfect. She sleeps in her own chair in my office while I work and she loves sitting in my lap and is as calm as can be, but something sets her off and it is a violent episode.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?? It almost appears as if Winnie is crazy-angry and out of her mind for those 5 minutes and doesn't know what to do when we try to stop her so she just starts running laps around the house - the comes back for more.

[tall grass pugs]

Well, that behavior would make her not perfect. So, first, using a leash---when she goes for someone/anyone, give correction and put her up for a time. She can't go on doing this. I am aware of a pug who put 38 stitches in her/his owner's face. No pug can select a behavior that would make them impossible to place if rescue was involved. And you don't want a pet who can hurt people. Find a good vet, check for seizures-and secure a visit with an astute breed sensitive trainer. This cannot go on. Also, hook up with a local pug rescue for hands on advice. Do it today.

[Leonardo Dipuglio]

Leo gets really excited around my husband and tries to nip his hands..he does the same thing when corrected..takes off doing crazy pugtona laps around the ottoman, dining amd kitchen table.we have tried the can of coins, water bottle, yelling, removing him for time out..etc..he is six months old and does seem to be growing out of it so to speak but for a while it was nuts! He doesn't seem to be angry though. Just really excited..good luck

[Russ]

That sounds like play to me, inappropriate sure, but puppy play. When Mz Tilly wants something she attacks feet, not biting but the attack and then sprints away to where the treats are. She was more agressive towards feet when younger. And if she sees people walking on TV she growls at them and then barks at them until they leave.

[tall grass pugs]

I posed your question and problem to the oldest breed rescue in the North Americas, and their master hand at fostering said this:

She needs to be in an obedience class.....yesterday. This is puppy play that has never been corrected properly if at all. And I'd bet this dog is understimulated and under exercised.....


It is a wonderful experience to take a rambunctious puppy to lessons and graduate with a reliable canine good citizen. Leonardo and Winnie will be happier with sharpened listening skills, learning to 'leave it,' and 'drop it,' and come when called. I hope both these guys can try it, looking forward to their progress report.

[WinniePug]

Thank you all, for your input. I plan to enroll Winnie in obedience classes as soon as possible. Thankfully, she only does this type of behavior while in our home/property. When she's being walked on a leach, she is friendly to all dogs and people (though she does like to jump on everyone to say hello - again, unacceptable behavior that I hope to correct right away).