Yet a day ago when she was about to come inside from playing with the others (which she does perfectly) and we went to remove bits of leaves stuck to her long hair gently while she was standing up, she did exactly what she did when we repositioned her in the car and continued to stiffen, growl, lung for the hands and bit/attacked hard multiple times on the hand. It was like fear aggression not at all like play biting. First of this breed we’ve ever encountered this and don’t know if very firm repetitive “No’s” ultimately will makes things worse and even once held her muzzle closed firmly when saying “No’s repeatedly.

We are afraid if instead of doing what we described during these episodes, we instead when we anticipate or hear her warning growl (don’t touch), we give her one of her favorite little edible treats to defuse the situation as just not touching her in some situations when it might be required (like in the car) may need to be done. She is little, all of 12 lbs and otherwise the easiest most well adjusted of all the puppies we ever had of this breed so it’s perplexing and just would like to know a next step we should do when we encounter this, especially in situations where over tiredness doesn’t appear to be the reason. All other times we can touch her everywhere on her body and no discomfort or medical issue appears to be the culprit. Thanks so much!

Sorry, Lana, but as I mentioned in response to your other comment, the alpha dog myth has been thoroughly debunked.
Please check out that link to learn more.

Hey there, Lana.

Sorry, but notions like “being the alpha” and “dominance theory” are outdated approaches that we now know are based on flawed science.
Check out our article about debunking the alpha myth to learn more.

Thanks for checking out the site!

He did that because you are a subordinate “pack” member rather than leader and you were annoying him and did not back off when he warned you. Your lack of knowledge and experience mean this is really not the dog for you…