We have had our 6 mos. old labradoodle, Max, for a little over a month. Apparently, he lived in the basement of the old owner's house and wasn't treated well. Since we have had him we spend lots of time with him--He loves to chase balls in our backyard. For the most part he is sweet. He does seem to have alot of separation anxiety. If we have to go inside for a little while he gets quite upset. However, the new problem that has been happening for a week--he growls at me --when he is frustrated. For instance, he wanted to play outside this morning and he was frustrated when I could not. He can inside jumping and growling. Thise was the third time this week. He does get quite a lot of exercise. We have a big yard and either me or my husband play with him. How do I handle this. I really love this dog, but frankly this morning I was afraid of him.
growling
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Joined
·
2,733 Posts
There are Different kinds of Growls
Its douptful he is being aggressive from what you have discribed,,but im not there so i dont know
Personally i think you should goto training classes,,this not only will train him basic obediance,,but will train you to train him,, YOU are the leader,,NOT him,,this will help you gain more respect from him also,,first thing training,,basic obediance,,practice, use what you learn every single day,,
hope this helps
Its douptful he is being aggressive from what you have discribed,,but im not there so i dont know
Personally i think you should goto training classes,,this not only will train him basic obediance,,but will train you to train him,, YOU are the leader,,NOT him,,this will help you gain more respect from him also,,first thing training,,basic obediance,,practice, use what you learn every single day,,
hope this helps
G
Guest
·I agree with Nancy. If you can teach him 'Sit!', in the meantime, it will make a big difference. Say 'Sit!", then help him sit, then reward him (I use bits of cheese.) Then when he acts out, you can distract him with the sit command and the cheese.
I have noticed that Bella does a 'jump around, pull at my hand, nip at my heels act' when she needs to urgently go potty. Is it possible that he was outside having so much fun playing that he forgot to 'go'? So, then he is urgently trying to alert you? These babies are very smart!!!
Oh, and I also found that holding her close and talking to her softly would often stop the craziness. And when I absolutely didn't have time to spend correcting her, I used the crate. Good Luck!
I have noticed that Bella does a 'jump around, pull at my hand, nip at my heels act' when she needs to urgently go potty. Is it possible that he was outside having so much fun playing that he forgot to 'go'? So, then he is urgently trying to alert you? These babies are very smart!!!
Oh, and I also found that holding her close and talking to her softly would often stop the craziness. And when I absolutely didn't have time to spend correcting her, I used the crate. Good Luck!
G
Guest
·Oh, and one more thing that might help. I read a ton of books, so I am not sure which author said this (maybe Cesar?):
"Just playing and running around a yard, no matter how big, is not a substitute for a daily walk." Honestly, I can ALWAYS tell when Bella has not had her daily walk.
Our trainer at puppy preschool also evaluated Bella's temperament for me (no charge) after she had growled at my 5 y/o. It was a huge relief to have the trainer tell me she is a wonderful dog, with absolutely no problems that obedience training could not handle. He showed me how to correct her if she ever growled at him again. It worked, and now my 5 y/o is the one who gets shown the most affection every single day.
I understand your fear and think if you could just get to a class, you would, hopefully, be reassured.
"Just playing and running around a yard, no matter how big, is not a substitute for a daily walk." Honestly, I can ALWAYS tell when Bella has not had her daily walk.
Our trainer at puppy preschool also evaluated Bella's temperament for me (no charge) after she had growled at my 5 y/o. It was a huge relief to have the trainer tell me she is a wonderful dog, with absolutely no problems that obedience training could not handle. He showed me how to correct her if she ever growled at him again. It worked, and now my 5 y/o is the one who gets shown the most affection every single day.
I understand your fear and think if you could just get to a class, you would, hopefully, be reassured.
Joined
·
2,733 Posts
Yes Linda
THat is very important,,it teaches who is the boss
Daily walks are essential,,thank you so much for bring that up
Also
Csear millians dvd and book are just awsome to help assist in teaching how to train the pup,,this gets you in the mind set of the dog
dvd and book can be purchased at www.overstock.com cheap
THat is very important,,it teaches who is the boss
Daily walks are essential,,thank you so much for bring that up
Also
Csear millians dvd and book are just awsome to help assist in teaching how to train the pup,,this gets you in the mind set of the dog
dvd and book can be purchased at www.overstock.com cheap
Thanks so much for all the replies. We do have Max in Petco's 6-week puppy course and he is learning the commands. He really listens to my husband and most times listens to me. I notice he acts out when my husband is not around. He goes into a playbow and then just starts jumping and growling at me. This morning I did do some commands and he responded. Then after the training was over, he started in again. This time my husband heard the growl and could not believe it. This is the third time this week. I tell him "no bite" or just "no." He wags his tail at me and continues jumping. I don't know what other command to us.
Thanks you for the suggestion about the walk. He does not get a walk everyday, but he does get a good workout in our backyard. I will try walking him everyday on top of yard playing.
Thanks you for the suggestion about the walk. He does not get a walk everyday, but he does get a good workout in our backyard. I will try walking him everyday on top of yard playing.
G
Guest
·Pattypkb, I've been going through the same thing with Boyd who will be 4 and 1/2 months old on Saturday. Nancy of Doodlesville (Boyd's gramma) is right on the money - YOU are boss! This morning I did the ignore tactic and he gave up. It was like he was saying "huh? you don't wanna play, okay (sigh) I'll lay down now." And then he gave a little pouty bark and that was it! I swear he was pouting too b/c he turned his back on me! LOL!
is right on the money - YOU are boss! This morning I did the ignore tactic and he gave up. It was like he was saying "huh? you don't wanna play, okay (sigh) I'll lay down now." And then he gave a little pouty bark and that was it! I swear he was pouting too b/c he turned his back on me! LOL!my dogs growl play for fun. if I read what you wrote correctly it sounds like what your dog is doing. I am not a dog whisperer or anything, but my dogs talk to me a lot (I swear ) and they use their eyes, their tails, their paws, a bark and a growl to tell me the cutest stories. They have more than one bark and the have more than one growl. If there is a squirrel the bark is one way, for trying to get the 4 pound poodle riled its another way and if they see something in the dark that is scary to them its still another way. The growl here is the same story too. Sounds like your dog is using the play with me look I am cute growl.
Also, it sounds as though you may be a little apprehensive when your dog does this. Be unconcerned or your dog may get your apprehension. Just laugh at him and tell him your silly mister growly now go on its not time to play
) and they use their eyes, their tails, their paws, a bark and a growl to tell me the cutest stories. They have more than one bark and the have more than one growl. If there is a squirrel the bark is one way, for trying to get the 4 pound poodle riled its another way and if they see something in the dark that is scary to them its still another way. The growl here is the same story too. Sounds like your dog is using the play with me look I am cute growl. Also, it sounds as though you may be a little apprehensive when your dog does this. Be unconcerned or your dog may get your apprehension. Just laugh at him and tell him your silly mister growly now go on its not time to play
Joined
·
164 Posts
Im agreeing with everyone here, but ecspecially movistar. My dog growls, howls whatever you want to call it when he wants my attention or when he wants to play. He does tell stories like what movistar said.
Just last night I bought him some new treats. I was taking them out of the bag and the whole time he was "talking" to me. His tail was going so fast, he had the cutest growls, and the biggest smile!!! He kept giving me "high 5" (his little trick) over and over and I wasnt even asking him to do it he was just so excited. Then of course I couldnt get the package open..lol..poor guy!
Also the fact that you (pattypkb) said that your dog wags his tail and he is jumping when he is doing it..to me it doesnt sound like you have a problem. Seems he is trying to be friendly rather than being aggressive.
I agree we are the bosses not them, but I dont think a dog giving a little non-aggressive growl means they are being bossy. If the jumping is a problem continue with the commands you use "no jump" etc. My dog doesnt jump, its more of a pounce. And he does it when he growls as if to say "hey im right here".
Just last night I bought him some new treats. I was taking them out of the bag and the whole time he was "talking" to me. His tail was going so fast, he had the cutest growls, and the biggest smile!!! He kept giving me "high 5" (his little trick) over and over and I wasnt even asking him to do it he was just so excited. Then of course I couldnt get the package open..lol..poor guy!
Also the fact that you (pattypkb) said that your dog wags his tail and he is jumping when he is doing it..to me it doesnt sound like you have a problem. Seems he is trying to be friendly rather than being aggressive.
I agree we are the bosses not them, but I dont think a dog giving a little non-aggressive growl means they are being bossy. If the jumping is a problem continue with the commands you use "no jump" etc. My dog doesnt jump, its more of a pounce. And he does it when he growls as if to say "hey im right here".
I totally agree that it sounds like a playful growl. My toy poodle does this all the time when she brings a toy to me to play with her. She stands there looking at me and growling at me. It's a growl that is hard to describe, but I can tell it's her playful growl. She even uses it in the middle of the night when she stands at the edge of the bed when she needs to go potty (She sleeps on our bed) When Doc (my LD) does it occassionally in play, it is alot louder and I must say it startles me more.
Joined
·
689 Posts
Archie does the same growling with a toy in his mouth to play thing. We think he's bragging to Chester about the cool toy he has. Its not a mean or agitated growl its more of a a "hey look at me" sound to it. (because he is just oh so neglected...). :lol:
Just want to give an update on Max. I have been watching him very carefully to determine just when and why he growls. Yesterday I took him for a walk and as we neared the end of the walk, he started growling, jumping and nipping as if to say he was not ready for the walk to end.
Later we went outside and he started chewing on a ball that has treats in it. I sat down on the grass with him and he was quite content. After about a half hour, I needed to go inside. As I got up, he started growling and nipping as if to tell him i was not to go in. I went in and he left his toy with the food and laid down between our trash cans and the fence (this seems to be his favorite place when we are not in the yard. He looks like he is in a den when he lays there.) He did not go back to his toy/treat until I returned.
He seems very frightened to be alone. We rarely leave him alone, but the owners we adopted him from left him in the basement most of the time. We have given him a lot of love and attention, we are using the commands and are continuing in a 6-week trianing session, I think our Max needs special attenion.
Later we went outside and he started chewing on a ball that has treats in it. I sat down on the grass with him and he was quite content. After about a half hour, I needed to go inside. As I got up, he started growling and nipping as if to tell him i was not to go in. I went in and he left his toy with the food and laid down between our trash cans and the fence (this seems to be his favorite place when we are not in the yard. He looks like he is in a den when he lays there.) He did not go back to his toy/treat until I returned.
He seems very frightened to be alone. We rarely leave him alone, but the owners we adopted him from left him in the basement most of the time. We have given him a lot of love and attention, we are using the commands and are continuing in a 6-week trianing session, I think our Max needs special attenion.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
