How would you handle a pup prone to stroppyness?

 Humanising? I wouldn't hold down humans and tickle their bellies, or use a clicker on them I actually completely agree with you. I wouldn't let him get away with much, but I would work him up to things a little more slowly, so that he learns that things are GOOD and doesn't learn to have fits.

I don't know too much about it.  But, it's possible that he will only act like that with Kivi or other dogs and not you or humans. 

Ok, *I* am gonna ask ... this may be a new dog term I've never heard, but I'm betting it's linguistic.  I have never heard the term "stroppyness".  Can you use a synonym?  Are you saying he's too rough? 

Here ya go Callie.  I had to look it up.  Stroppy = easily offended or annoyed:  ill tempered or beligerent

Corvus, fwiw, I think that your approach is the correct one.  Bevo was a very "stroppy" puppy.  He was so bad that I consulted with a behaviorist about how to deal with his temper tantrums, & biting.  She recommended lots of handling, & socialization, along with gradually exposing him to things that I knew would set him off, & rewarding heavily for no response to these things.

 Hehe, sorry, I had a sneaking suspicion stroppy was one of those Australian words. It's funny when you have to explain what a word you use everyday is. Like dodgy. Every Australian knows 'dodgy' means of dubious character, or not quite right. I learnt one day that American people have no idea what that means and think it's hilarious when someone says "Gee, that's a bit dodgy."

Yes, it means belligerent.

Thanks Amanda, that makes me feel like I'm not completely insane. That's why I come here.

I asked David (in one of his "awake" moments last night LOL) and said "Does the word 'stroppy' have meaning for YOU?" and he grinned and said "Yes -- " and that's pretty much what he said.  Then he laughed and said "but I don't REALLY think it's a British word altho it IS used, and it probably IS an Australian word, to be honest.  But it's a GOOD word!!!!"

corvus

 Hehe, sorry, I had a sneaking suspicion stroppy was one of those Australian words. It's funny when you have to explain what a word you use everyday is. Like dodgy. Every Australian knows 'dodgy' means of dubious character, or not quite right. I learnt one day that American people have no idea what that means and think it's hilarious when someone says "Gee, that's a bit dodgy."

I knew what you meant, corvus.  Would it be offensive to sugegst that Brits and Aussies are as weird as each other??!! Oh no wait... it's the guys in America that are the weird ones.... right? 

I think you have the right approach.  The qualities that make him "stroppy" are also the qualities that could make him a brilliant dog in the right hands.... ie. someone who understands him and is prepared to tailor their approach.

Chuffy

I knew what you meant, corvus.  Would it be offensive to sugegst that Brits and Aussies are as weird as each other??!! Oh no wait... it's the guys in America that are the weird ones.... right? 

Just one of those cases where you guys have a word to describe it in ONE word where we don't.    There are times when you guys have ONE word to describe a thing that makes it a truly stellar, handy word.  Like "fortnight" -- for us it's "two weeks".  But the word "twit" or "twerp" in American English really doesn't have an equal -- it's a whole different shade of meaning here. 

But as far as who is weird?  It all depends on the time of day.  We all get our turn!!

I don't have enough experience or knowledge to suggest anything for Erik outside what you are doing. Good luck!!

I'm american and knew what stroppy and dodgy meant! Yay for me!

As for your pupper, it sounds liek you're well on your way, but I'd also suggest a work to earn program like NILIF and perhaps look into Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol.

For some pups, I will do a restraining hug exercise that can help with frustration tolerance *and* accepting restraint.  I basically just hug the pup as a vet would and when they relax, I release them.  If they struggle I hold on to them snugly but neutrally.  It truthfully is a little bit of flooding by most definitions, but generally only takes a few reps for the pup to get the idea that struggling doesn't work, but calming does. 

I've also heard of some people doing this exercise randomly throughout the day, gradually requiring more and more relaxation before release to encourage a very malleable pup when under restraint and build up tolerance to reduced freedom at times.

 I think it's a good idea to build up a tolerance to being handled or restrained. Just today I was walking around with Erik in my arms because we were in public and he needs socialisation but hasn't had all his shots. He was very good about it, and even though he struggled to get down a couple of times, he was pretty relaxed about it most of the time. I think Erik would be okay with the hugging exercise now, but I don't think he would have earlier in the week. I'm just going to err on the side of caution.