Growling Puppy

**emc** · 11-01-2005, 11:33 PM

My 8 week old puppy of 4 days growled at my mom today. Should I be concerned? How do I stop this kind of behavour?

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**Pawsitive Thinking** · 11-02-2005, 09:08 AM

Why did puppy growl? maybe s/he felt threatened - still very young. Needs lots of attention and reassurance - gentle voices, smooth, soft actions - no looming over like a giant!

**IRescue452** · 11-02-2005, 09:15 AM

Well, what is the context? WHat was your mom doing and what was the puppy doing? Were they playing, was she taking something away from the puppy? I'd say its time to start the NILIF program. That is making the puppy wait for its food bowl to be set down, he probably doesn't know any commands yet but you can wait for him to calmly watch you as you lower the bowl and if he starts jumping for the food too soon take it back up and have him calm down. Also start to give him a few pieces of food in the bowl and put the rest in one by one by hand. If he growls say no and stop giving him food for a bit. You should be able to place your hand in his dish without him being food aggressive. Also start with his toys. You should be able to bend down and take a toy from him without being growled at or bitten. Do this in a serious manner, don't play with it or tug it. If he doesn't growl or fuss praise him and give him the toy. If he does say no and hold off on giving him the toy for a bit. When you give it back make him wait for you to give it to him, don't let him take it from your hand. These exercises will help the pup learn who's boss of the house and that he if he growls at you or your mom he won't get what he wants.

**emc** · 11-02-2005, 02:45 PM

My mom was just getting up from the table and the puppy was standing on the floor. The puppy doesn't growl or put up any kind of fuss when I'm taking away food or toys (sometimes she will grumble when she's playing), she's okay when it comes to that, but she seems clingy, she follows me everywhere and if I leave the room she will start to whine and scream without end, it's driving us bonkers especially at night, she does not want to be left alone.

She also barks already, today someone came to do a roof estimate and she was barking at him. She seems afraid of people she doesn't know, if they approach her she will runaway and if there's nowhere to go she will start crying like she's in a panic. This has me concerned, I don't want to end up with a mean dog that doesn't like people. She's a Chihuahua by the way and no don't say "that figures", the last chihuahua I had was very friendly to everyone even strangers. I might add that if the person picks her up she settles down and seems to appear comforted that she is being held.

**Pit Chick** · 11-02-2005, 06:01 PM

Now is the time to start taking her out and about for socialization so she doesn't grow up being fearful and traumatized of new people, places and things. Let lots of people handle her and give her treats so she sees strangers in a positive light. Don't coddle her for being afraid of people or things because that just makes her think she'll get attention for acting that way. Did you get to meet and interact with her parents?

**IRescue452** · 11-02-2005, 08:03 PM

It sounds like just an isolated case where she got startled or something. I still agree that its time for socialization on a scale for an 8 week old pup without full vaccinations. I wouldn't worry about this one instance of growling then. My aunt has two chihuahuas one a total sweetie and one thats vicious toward strangers and kids. They both were raised the same. I'd never say that figures for a chihuahua.

**emc** · 11-04-2005, 12:30 PM

The mom was on site, when my brother went to the breeder's place the pup's mom was barking at him but once he was in the apartment she settled down. When the breeder went over to pick up the pup, the mom snapped at her as if she wanted to bite her. Is this kind of behavour okay? I've never bred dogs so I have no idea how the mom is suppose to react around her puppies. It's too cold to take the pup outside now but people come over ever now and then, they pick her up and hold her. If she backs away I will pick her up and hand her to the person. Am I doing the right thing?