Should growling be tolerated?

Bossdog

Bossdog

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My little dog is a real grumbler, he rumbles if you ask to do something he doesn't want to do (off the sofa, into his bed, go in the garden etc etc) but he will do it eventually without me moving or raising my voice, but he will growl as he does it. With the cats and other dogs he doesn't bark as much as he used to and he will 'watch me' if I ask him to and can hold my gaze for ages with a waggy tail but will growl the whole time.

I'm reluctant to reward him whilst he is still grumbling but then again I don't want to take his growl from him so that he then just skips the warning and bites instead!! I'm probably over thinking it but he really does come across a grumpy old man sometimes (father jack stylee!)....
 
As you say, if you take away his warning, he might just go to the next stage which is possibly a snap. Silly question, but is he growling or 'talking' - I only ask as Henry rumbly mumbles away sometimes and this can be misinterpreted by people who don't know his as growling - but it's not, it's part of how he communicates. I think it's a spaniel thing as other spaniel owners have said theirs does the same thing.

I think your best course of action is to go and see a trainer because they will be able to see what he is doing in the flesh, which of course we can't. Classes are a good idea anyway as you get to know each other IMO, or you could find someone who does home visits.:)
 
Dex has a HUGE vocab of things that could be considered a growl- they are not, having heard a real growl- he has his own little language/ way of trying to get what he wants through song!!
 
My boydog growls as a greeting. Today was the third time in as many weeks that somebody's gone "Gosh, what beautiful dogs, may I say hello?", stuck their hand out to him, received a musical 'gggrrrrrrroooogrrrr!' and recoiled in horror.

He has a lovely open friendly expression and totally relaxed wagging tail (unfortunately very tightly curled so you can't really tell it's wagging) but you wouldn't know that unless you were really doggy, so instead it just looks and sounds like he's about to take their hand off. :o

No idea how to overcome that one, suggestions of what to say to best reassure people are welcomed. Dax just goes 'woo'. :rolleyes:
 
Spudlet said:
As you say, if you take away his warning, he might just go to the next stage which is possibly a snap. Silly question, but is he growling or 'talking' - I only ask as Henry rumbly mumbles away sometimes and this can be misinterpreted by people who don't know his as growling - but it's not, it's part of how he communicates. I think it's a spaniel thing as other spaniel owners have said theirs does the same thing.

I think your best course of action is to go and see a trainer because they will be able to see what he is doing in the flesh, which of course we can't. Classes are a good idea anyway as you get to know each other IMO, or you could find someone who does home visits.:)
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Ah, that's interesting because I do sometimes wonder if this is him just telling me that there is something there that I need to be aware of, I've never had a spaniel and none of the GSDs or labs I've had experience of have ever growled!! He does do as he's asked and he's never raised a lip or snapped (yet!), it really is just like tit's part of his vocablary!! I do intend to get him to classes/trainer soon but it will have to wait till hubby gets back from afghan.... thanks everyone (wow, feel like I'm part of the spangle massive!!)
 
But of course you are part of the massive!:D

Now at times, Henry does have what we refer to as a 'handbags' moment where he will try a little, but real, growl on for size, normally when he is being defiant about going to his basket at our mealtimes. On these occasions, he is calmly led from the room and shut out to Think About What He Has Done. However it's time that has taught me to know these moments from his talky moments or play-growling moments.

What you absolutely want to avoid is getting cross with him, shouting, looming over him etc as a punishment, because all that will do is escalate the situation and make him feel more scared and defensive than perhaps he did (assuming they are real growls of course). :)
 
I have a chatty rottie - if you don't know him it sounds terrible! And he's docked so nobody sees the waggy stump.

His 'real' growl' is about 10 tones deeper and he shows his teeth then (only seen it twice in nearly 8 years) but his talking is very 'wow, wowing' with an open mouth.

The stinky terrorist will cheek you by barking back at you as he runs off :)if you give out to him...
 
I would hazard a guess that in the past homes he has been allowed to do just this and he has displayed the self and same vocal behaviour and possibly this has led to him being left to his own devices, so basically him grumbling = being left alone. I would indeed stand your ground and continue to command him to get out or down, you don't need to grab or get angry, but by all means be firm, because as much as some believe taking the growling away= biting (not in this post, in general), but also allowing a dog to get away with growling and what he wants can also create a monster!
He must still obide by the rules.
Once he is off the settee (always try and block him if you can) before he gets up, but once he is told to get off, command him to bed and offer a reward when he gets there. If he continues to growl and stand his ground rather than do as commanded (provided he actually understands) then place a slip lead on (calmly) and remove him for "time out" and upon allowing him back in, don't hold a grudge but don't praise him either, just ignore and allow him to settle once again.

Help him to become familiar with house rules to give him a better understanding of what is asked of him, train and demonstrate what you are asking and offer reward for the result you seek. Dogs growl for lots of reason and I would guess with what you describe as to the reasons/times he growls and given his age that he is trying his assertiveness with you, it does not sound like a vocal communication of the "ignore kind".
A waggy tail whilst growling can also be intended in an agressive manor (not that I am saying his is, but waggy tail does not always =happiness:)
I don't think you have a killer on your hands:p but you are clearly aware their is an issue and want to solve it and my advice would be, as you are, carry on asking/commanding where you are and make some familiar commands for what you want and make sure he understands. If you are worried as to how to interpret his vocals then definately a trainer in.
 
blackcob said:
My boydog growls as a greeting. Today was the third time in as many weeks that somebody's gone "Gosh, what beautiful dogs, may I say hello?", stuck their hand out to him, received a musical 'gggrrrrrrroooogrrrr!' and recoiled in horror.

He has a lovely open friendly expression and totally relaxed wagging tail (unfortunately very tightly curled so you can't really tell it's wagging) but you wouldn't know that unless you were really doggy, so instead it just looks and sounds like he's about to take their hand off. :o

No idea how to overcome that one, suggestions of what to say to best reassure people are welcomed. Dax just goes 'woo'. :rolleyes:
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Bubba (my akita) does the same, only she does a gggrrrrooooooogrr-woooooo then screachhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh:D:D I get people tucking their hands back into their pockets whilst she rubs herself against them like a cat and her tails goes fifty to the dozen:D
 
Thanks CAYLA, I never give in because of the growling and he's learnt the house rules very quickly so will perservere, have to try not to laugh when he's muttering under his breath at me as he carries out the command but he is funny with it!
 
Depends entirely on the dog and the circumstances.
I now allow my older dog to growl a warning *if it is warranted** as he is insecure and I don't want that defence to be replaced by something more, like a snap or a bite.
The younger one has a tendency to be bolshy so he will get a (calm :p) rocket if he tries to push his luck.
 
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