Poll: Has your dog ever growled at you?

[DogLover9501]

I agree, you got some good advice.

Major isn't very old, is he? I think since he is young, this thing can ne nipped right now, and if your consistant, let him know it is NEVER acceptable to growl at you that way, hopefully it will not happen again.

My cousin Jack has 2 pitbulls, the female is about 65 pounds and the male is about 100+, him and his wife Kim are "married with dogs", the dogs are their children, and it would NOT be acceptable for a child to not let you take something, or yell at you, so it's not acceptable for a dog. They still get in the pittie's faces, or they get a lecture and then put into a room or put outside!!

I also like the NILIF idea, I am working on some of those things with Jasper, just so he is more appreciative(sp) and I have more controll.

I picked yes, because it wasn't multiple choice.

Piddle has growled at me, he growls when we play, but he also growls if Im bugging him, but never much.

Wiggles sometimes growls if you disturb her when shes sleeping, I never let her get away with it though, my mom just leaves her along when she growls, which IMO isn't going to help.

Jasper, however, has never growled at anyone, he only growls at his toys sometimes when hes playing. I can take anything from him, I have taken bones, treats, toys, stuffie EYEBALLS..etc..etc..etc out of his mouth, children can take things from him, strangers can take things from him...etc.

[Toller 42]

none of my dogs have ever growled at me.

[dappledoxie]

Claire and Rebel both have only growled while playing a tug type game nothing aggressive at all though. I don't tolerate it either, if they ever do growl they will be scolded. I always make sure they know I'm boss, if I want the toy, the toy is mine, if I want their leg, it's mine too.

I've seen alot of stuff in my 7 months at the animal hospital, handling strangers dogs, b/c that's basically what I do, I don't want to get bit, but sometimes I never know.... That's what I don't like about my job, actually I hate it, I don't plan to be there much longer. That's one of the best reasons to try out what you think you want to do, you may not like it like you thought you would. I mean, I love the animals but there are those times when I get waaay too stressed and they are enough to get me out of it eventualy. Ok, that turned into a rant..... lol!!! Sorry!

[bizdevguy]

With Major you might try, while he's still small, picking him up and looking in his eyes, while saying, "NO!" Once the dog looks away, even for a brief second, it means they have submitted to you. This imprints on the dog that you are in control. When they are bigger, much bigger, they still think you are capable of this sort of control, and they will heed you. I understand that tigers are trained in this fashion!

[KYS]

Sheba has growled a couple of times at me when she
was young.

I hand fed her as a pup and stuck my head in her dog
bowl. (not recomemding that training method)
When Shebs got older and I gave her a special
treat she did growl on two different occasions.
(I did nip it in the bud and that was that.)

Now that she is old, she will give a low warning growl on
rare occassions when she is not feeling well and I want to clip her nails or I help lift her up. I just ignore her because of
her age. But even that is very rare.

Big doofess Rocky to my knowledge has never growled at me.

You got some good advice from others.

[MariaM]

Ok, so I have some questions. After your replies, a took a biscuit and starting training Major "leave it" I got to the point where I could put the biscuit on his paw, and he would just stare there for...about 5-10 seconds. After that he got a little restless, so I tried to reward him before that point. He did pretty good, I think, considering it was his first time.

Then, later I gave him the rawhide peice he growled at before. When I got to close to him, he growled, so I turned him on his back, said NO! and stuck my hand in his mouth. He was holding onto the peice so I just kind of pulled until I got it. I repeated NO! and then went inside.

Then, about 5 minutes ago, I gave him the peice again. He tried running away from me , but I put him on the cable so he couldn't. Then, whenever I got to close, he turned his head really fast so I couldn't get it. Finally, he layed down and started chewing. I took the peice and said "drop it" and he just lied there looking at me. Then I said "shake" and he did, so I gave it back to him. I kept taking it from him, sometimes he was a little reluctant, but he didn't growl during this little thing. Finally I just took it away from him (but gave him a peice of food) and threw it away because it was getting too small.

Haha, ok forgot my questions. Anything to add to what I did? Did I do it right this time?
Is give it the same as drop it?

[chocolatepuppy]

I think so, I just always used the word give.

[heinz57_79]

You're on the right track! Sounds like he's getting the idea that when you say drop it, or give it or leave it you MEAN it. That's the main thing. With you taking it away when it growls, he'll start getting the point that if he growls, the chewie goes away. If he's good, he gets it back. Just keep working on him. I wish training my mutts were that easy. LoL I have to coral mine by themselves in order to do anything.

[Twisterdog]

Most of my dog "play growl" a lot, especially when playing tug of war.

But, as for real growling .... well, a couple of them have issues, that's for sure.

Twister has a major fear-aggression problem. The slightest discipline, even just giving her "the look", and she is bearing those teeth. It's been a long road, but she's improving, to some degree. When I first got her, she bit all the way through my hand!

Basil was a terribly dominant dog when I got him. In fact, he was taken to animal control to be euthanized for aggression. He was, though, simply a dominant, unneutered male terrier who had belonged to very quiet, timid people who feared him. NOT a good combination. He growled and snarled and barked at everyone when I got him. It was 95% bluff, but would definately be intimidating to someone who didn't know terriers. He is MUCH better now .. almost like a normal dog.

All of my dog were rescues, with past home ranging from zero discipline to horrible abuse, though ... so they have more issues than your typical family pet. All the nice typical family pets, I found homes for ... I got stuck with the rejects.

[RobiLee]

Neither of my girls have growled at any of us in the family. I have done the same as KayAnn and have always taken their food and bones and gotten my face right down there. both girls learned very early on to "drop it" and "leave it". I highly reccommend teaching this with Major. Best of luck!

I also try to go by the Nothing in life is free program. I can't seem to get that through Alden and Brandon's head though..lol

[Amber]

I voted Yes

When I was 6 or 7 years old, we had katie, and katie hates to be picked up. Well I was being stupid, picked her up, She growled a large growl, and my result was a nip on my cheek. Never did that again, but she kinda lets me though. But she does growel at everyone when people walk by she thinks were going to take it away or something. Other than that they are play growls.

Elvis, has never growled at me and better not. Ever since we got him, I've been touching his mouth when he chews on bones, putting my hands in his food when he eats. Stuff like that.

[MariaM]

Hey! Be lucky you only have 2 to get through to! My whole family (5 other people) keep doing the opposite of what I tell them, and it is SOOO frustrating! But I'll try those command with Major.

Edit: Amber, didn't see your post. I suppose it is probably too late for me to start putting my hand in Major's bowl...that might not lead to a good thing.

[heinz57_79]

If you want to, get a rubber glove used for dishwashing n stuff, and stuff it so it takes the form of a human hand. Then attach it to a broom handle or something similar and use that to stick in his dish until he gets used to it. That way you don't have to risk getting nipped and Major gets used to a hand in his food.

[stacwase]

Max is pretty easy-going, contrary to the reputations of shepherds and rotts. But - from day 1 of bringing him home from the shelter I have gotten close to his mouth at every possible opportunity - taking his rawhides, putting my hand in his food while he's eating etc. etc.

I wanted to get him VERY used to people being right in his face while he's eating or chewing. I'd rather have him bite me than a child.

My hand is always in his mouth. I play "got your tongue"! and gently grab his lower jaw etc. etc. so he's always careful what he does with his mouth while people are around. He just needs to know that my hand is allowed wherever I want to put it and that he'd better just get used to it.

Now if I could just get past his nailcutting phobia . . .

[sirrahved]

We've only heard Muff growl twice. They were both at very aggressive dogs at the park.