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Subject: growling

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coop

Wilmington, OH

Posts:17

12/08/2011 11:26 AM
Murphy, our 7 month old GSP, has been growling at us at for the past two months. A couple of examples: the last two times he had nails trimmed by vet(they weren't real concerned-said it was more of his show of displeasure than growling); reached to take my sock away this morning and he growled-told him "stop growl-drop it" but he didn't drop,so I then reached to take sock from his mouth and he did not growl,although I had to pry it away from him;holding his collar because he was being jumpy- told him to sit-growled. This doesn't happen all the time but I think once is one too many times. He's also being stubborn-not responding to come, off, being very whiney. Is this just an "adolescent" stage/phase he's going thru, or do we need to seek help from a traineer?

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4476

12/08/2011 11:47 AM
Now, you see, I would have to hear the "growl". Could just be protest noise.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7929

12/08/2011 12:23 PM
I agree with pixie. That said when you take something from him do you praise him for giving it to you? Do you offer him something more appropriate to play with? I would be sure you are rewarding him giving things too you and also offer him another toy that he can play with. Also, be sure you are 100% consistent and don't let him sometimes slide. He is also at an age where he will challenge you, so it could just be that, but in any case I would be very consistent with him. Good luck!

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4476

12/08/2011 12:38 PM
He's also being stubborn-not responding to come, off, being very whiney He's not being stubborn - your training is not meeting the challenge. Once we teach we need to train and then challenge. My 9 yo daughter, can and has: open the dogs' mouth to remove food and "stolen" obejects,kneed the dogs when they jump on her,give commands and enforce them(with a little help sometimes), tell the dogs' to get up and move, etc If you can do these things your dog is a keeper.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

coop

Wilmington, OH

Posts:17

12/08/2011 2:44 PM
pixie bee-can you give me examples of challenging him? I guess I don't understand the difference between the teach and train. We do take food/treat away from at times just to make sure he doesn't growl-also hand feed at times. Texas Belle-we always praise when he responds to any command we give him. Thanks , coop

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4476

12/08/2011 3:03 PM
Teaching is shaping a behavior. like when you say SIT,the dog sits,but then gets up.So, we taught the dog what the verbal/visual cue means - now that the dog has an understanding we can train to perform at higher levels. Challenging a dog - say sit and train the dog to sit until you command otherwise.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

coop

Wilmington, OH

Posts:17

12/08/2011 3:46 PM
pixie bee-Thanks. We are working on the sit/stay & down/stay. I 'm sorry to be so ignorant about this, but it's been 15 years since I had to put my Golden Ret. to sleep. She was so easy to work with - just different than Murphy, but I love him with all my heart. coop

weerubbertummy User is Offline

Ayrshire, Scotland

MH
Posts:730

12/19/2011 12:13 PM
Kintra went through a stage of growling when we played certain games with her, a different growl to when she was launching into a bark. Sometimes it can be excitement. All our past dogs, german sheperds, lab and a wirehair would do this play growling when playing certain games, esp when they were young and the "leave" or "drop" command hadnt been fully reinforced yet. Sometimes they choose to treat it as a game and try to test you. Maybe fact that he doesnt do it every time may mean it's only when he's feeling playful.

Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx

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