Of the 4 the only one that's ever done a serious growl was Murph over a bone. He got very possessive over those after I got Oz, because Oz kept trying to take them from him. So I just went back to training like I did when he was a puppy. Have him "Sit", Give him the bone, Take the bone, "Good Boy", and then Give it right back. Just had to establish again, that I was no threat to his bone. I'd be wary of challenging them over stuff, because they might just call your bluff and decide to take your challenge. Not too big a deal with a 20lb dog, but you're in deep do-do if it's a 100lb dog.

Now, none serious growls, Maddie had a ton of different growly vocalizations to communicate things to me. Everything, from the water bowl's empty, to I need to go potty, to Scratch me right there. But as far as a mean growl, she would have cut out her own tongue before she would have growled at me in that way. Which is amazing considering, she's been the most dominant dog I've had and never hesitated to let Murph or Oz have it and all the torturous health stuff I had to do to her all the time. But I always spoke to her calmly about what I had to do and why and I think she understood, if not the words at least the sentiment behind the actions. I'm a firm believer in earning their respect through passive means, consistency and fairness.

Oz has several growly vocalizations too. He's got one for pet me and one for play with me. And then when he's playing, he's got one that sounds like a wounded Bear growl.

I've only heard Gully growl once and it was directed at Oz. I was holding Gully in the lighted kitchen and Oz came running towards us from the dark living room. A definite fear growl, over the unknown shadow rapidly approaching. As soon as he realized it was Oz, he stopped and started wagging his tail.

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