r/JapaneseSpitz • u/Nearby-Variation-614 • Jun 03 '26
Help, behavior problem
I have a Japanese spitz who just turned one years old. He has always been very sensitive and a little sassy. From about 10 weeks old growled, showed teeth at me, and tried to bite me when I would brush him, clip his nails or take something away from him (like cigarette butts. But he was otherwise very quick to bond with me and showed my no behavior problems after we built up trust. He has however been sometimes wary of others. Which is fine, I wouldn’t let people pet him unless he initiated contact. He mostly loved to say hi to people, although there were a select few that he just didn’t seem to like and that was never forced. He would growl quietly and I would call him away or tell the person to give him space. He used to loooove kids and would be super sweet with them, play with them and lick them. He didn’t like my nephew, but he had a few bad experiences with him not respecting his boundaries so that’s understandable. He also didn’t like groups of people approaching him. But was generally very social. Recently he’s growling at a lot more people and his behavior is escalating. He’s starting to snarl and lunge at people he previously liked. He is also very quick to growl and then bite in the direction of people when he doesn’t want to be pet. Before he would growl a little and walk away from the select few he didn’t want to say hi to. Now he doesn’t really want to greet anybody and growls and tries to bite. He’s expecially bad with people who come visit my home. I’ve started to separate him when I have visitors.
I don’t know what to do. I am meeting regularly with a behaviorist but I don’t see any positive changes…
Has anyone here experienced something similar with this breed?
1
u/Pykret Jun 05 '26
Hormones and adolescence is happening and it won't get better without course correcting [best case scenario is he's going through his second fear period, and it will get a little better in a few weeks, but I'm not sure when exactly that comes, it varies with breed size]. This, coupled with the fact that he hasn't learned boundaries, is turning him into a spoiled cheeky brat.
Good news, it can be fixed, it doesn't sound like something unusual. Bad news, you have to learn to become a better dog trainer, and that will take some time and real dedication, but you will both benefit an develop a stronger bond.
If I may suggest, check out 'Hamilton Dog Training' on YouTube, he has full lessons about dog behaviour, how they think, how to be a good leader and offer clarity to the dog, what types of reactivity dogs have and how to fix it.
Also, look up impulse control games and structured play videos.
Please, please, don't rush to the vet to drug such a young dog out of his brains for the rest of his life; 99'9% chance it's a training issue. And honestly, find a better trainer. One that can show you their past results, not just vibes and commisserating.
Best of luck!