Bad Dog growling

[Pugofthelake]

Wally is now 8 mos old. When he gets things from the trash or pees although he is house "trained", I use a deep, harsh voice and tell him "Bad Dog". I also shake my finger at him and then try to move him to the bathroom for a "time-out". At this point he starts growling and if I attempt to pick him up, he trys to bite me. I do not strike hime or pull the scruff of his neck. Is this common? Just Teenage rebellion? Any help?

[Donnag]

ugh, good luck. My girl Vivian when confronted with a treasure like tissue or toilet paper will growl and try to bite me if I take it away from her.
I have not been successful in breaking her from this.
I will give her a big strong voice saying drop it but it does not do any good with her, on the other-hand my male Rupert you can take anything out of his mouth with not a peep out of him.
Hopefully someone else will have better advice fro you.

[Snifter]

When do you do this "deep harsh voice"? At the instant of him peeing or stealing trash, or when you find the pee or him wandering around with the trash?

If you are not doing it at THE INSTANT he pees or has his face in the trash can then for a start you are simply coming across as aggressive for no reason he will be able to ascertain and it is not surprising that he may not take kindly to this especially if he is a more assertive type.

Even if you catch him at the precise instant you may be better served by redirection and distraction. For the peeing clap your hands or something to stop him in mid flow and immediately rush outside to where he should go, calling him as if you were a young child calling a friend to come out to play with you. When he is outside praise and treat as soon as he finishes the job. For the trash try being upbeat and excited sounding and say something like "Do you want a treat? Do you? Come on then!" and lure him away from the trash can. Show him the treat and with luck he will drop the trash at which point you can give him the treat (preferably with him facing away from the trash) whilst you put your foot over the trash and then retrieve whilst he finishes the treat. You may have to have pots of treats around the house in order to achieve this easily.

Also, you will be well served by keeping the trash in a receptacle he cannot open or tip up so that the problem simply does not arise.

If you want to do the "time out" my advice to you would be to say nothing whatsoever. Do not use an aggressive or harsh tone of voice. If you want to try marking the behaviour with a word or phrase (in the hope that in future the word will be enough to stop him needing a time out) then use something that you are able to say in a neutral tone. The words "no" or "Stop that" can come out a bit harsh. I used to say "We don't like that" when Toddy pulled my trouser legs and then I would put him out of the room.

Finally you will both probably benefit from some sessions (group or individual) with a trainer.

Good luck.

[Pugofthelake]

Thanks to Donnag and Snifter for the replies. Wally is usually really good and he seems to be "bad" when he doesn't have my attention. My husband suggested just tell him "bad dog" and not try to move him to a time-out. I guess that is my best hope right now. Thanks again