Eric hasn't growled for a long time but has started to do it again, albeit not very often. We have had our dog trainer look (by video) who is not over concerned. No other part of Eric's body language looks concerning (no hackles, teeth, his tail does go up occasionally but doesn't 'rattle' ) but i don't like it He really only does it with hubbie which I also find really odd as Eric will do anything to be with him! But if he tries to stroke he growls. I must stress this isn't all the time, This is only on occasion. It can often happen if he searching for food. Once he's had his growl he invariably goes back to hubbie to lay with him. he's then happy for belly rubs etc. It's almost as if he's saying 'look, I want to be with you but just don't stoke me till i've cuddled into you then go for it' Just wanted views please
Unless it's clearly a growl (or noise) in play, I would be worried about a dog giving any kind of warning growl (I mean I'd be worried about why the dog felt the need to give a warning, not that it gave a warning when justified). I was struck by something Patricia McConnell said on one of her DVDs - the average dog owner is way too blasé about all sorts of things that really should worry them - and growling is one of them. I'm not going to say try a behaviourist, because I recently did myself, and ended up pretty disappointed (and considerably out of pocket). I'd start with trying to figure out what it is that Eric doesn't like - the way he is being stroked, a threat to the food you say he is looking for, and so on, or even if he is wary of your husband for some reason (don't take that the wrong way, dogs get all sorts of funny ideas in their heads ). And then go from there...
I think (but who knows :/ ) that he may be looking for food from him. Hubbie tends to try stoke him when sat at dinner table, whereas I totally ignore him. He also feeds him a few titbits after we've eaten..... this drives me nuts as I don't do it. When he comes in from work Eric is excited to see him, jumps up but as soon as his paws are on the floor and hubbie goes to stroke him he can give a little growl and back off I am starting to think he see's him as a mobile food unit and when his hand is going to him he is expecting food... then when it bypasses him to go to his head or side he's a bit pee'd off! It's starting to upset hubbie too because he feels he's doing something wrong but doesn't get it I could be totally wrong :/
There are numerous reasons for a dog to growl, it is a form of communication. Our problem is deciphering what the growl is for. Does Eric have raised hackles or show teeth,? Does he freeze, even for a second or two, before he growls? Does he growl when you your husband feeds him treats at the table? is it only your husband ne growls at? Is it when he goes to stroke him on the head, face, neck. Is Eric sitting, standing or lying down? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a clear picture of when Eric is growling.
he never raise's his hackles or show his teeth. his mouth is always shut he backs off... like a little jump back he doesn't say a word when waiting for treats (he is a cryer when he wants something) and doesn't growl when getting them he is always standing hubbie tries to stroke him on head or side.... he particulary doesn't like his side has never growled at anyone else. i can stroke him straight after and hes fine with me i don't mind questions.... i'm totally puzzled
This really sounds like he is wary of your husband. This is highly unlikely. Dogs have no sense of revenge (I'll growl because you didn't do what I want etc) - this is just not how they think. I do actually now think that getting someone else (not your trainer that didn't think there was anything amiss) to observe Eric and tell you want they think might be good. It's just too difficult to guess this stuff over the internet. Do try to shop around for someone experienced and well qualified though, there are an awful lot of people who set up as 'behaviourists' that I wouldn't trust as far as etc....
I can't offer any help but just to add if you do decide to seek the help of a behaviourist please be careful as a lot of them don't have a qualification to their name. You can go to www.apdt.co.uk which will give you trainers in your area that don't use punishment and are regulated. I hope things improve for you and Eric. xx
Oh it's so hard to find someone The problem is he is so hit and miss. Our trainer is fab and here loads but has never witnessed it. Eric is fine most of the time!
Yes, I sympathise with the difficulty of finding someone. It's really very tricky indeed. But, so long as you just listen, read and research, and make up your own mind, consulting with people can be helpful. Just don't take what you are told as some kind of final word expert view... Being mostly fine, but growling at your husband - or indeed anyone - if they go to stroke your dog is something that needs to be addressed though. It doesn't mean there is anything fundamentally wrong with Eric, just view it as a little warning that there may be something brewing and it's best to deal with it before it turns into a real problem. It might just be a man thing, it's not unusual for puppies to be more wary of men than women - even so though, getting Eric used to men (if that's what it is) will serve him well through his life.
I wouldn't worry if he only does then it's his way of letting him know not now maybe in a little bit ! I believe it's his way of communicating and to let him know it's not what he wants right now !
Could you carry a camera around for a couple of days and try to video this interaction? The camera on your phone maybe?
Thanks for all the replies I agree it needs addressing... it's not something we are happy with at all. Something is bothering him and we need to find out what. I will be having my phone on hand all week to see if I can capture it. x
We have a friend with a Rottweiler. When I first met him, I stroked him and he started to making a growling sound. It was so frightening! But I was told: don't worry, that's his way of purring. And yes, he purrs! If anyone strokes him, he purrs. To the uninitiated, it's frightening. Apparently it's a Rottie thing, it's the noise many of them make to show how much they're enjoying what you're doing. Hope you get sorted with this, it sounds like it is very worrying for you.
Jax growls at me all the time . I know my dog though so take that into consideration as you read this like I said I know my dog . He growls at me when he wants something ,or if he thinks I'm going to play with him but I don't he does it more as a get my attention or think I'm giving him attention but I'm not . It's not a snarling growl or an aggressive posture at all . His is more of a playful growl .
Eric growls in play too and its different. He hasn't growled since I posted this, he has however backed off from Hubbies strokes before going straight back to him. I have managed to get it on my phone and will show to trainer as soon as I can
hi @jools It does sound as if Eric has become a little hand shy with your husband for what ever reason. It's also good that you've managed to capture the behaviour on your phone to show your trainer. I happened to see a video from Emily Larlham last week, purely by chance, that was dealing with shy dogs where approaching hands are concerned. It might be worth your OH doing some de-sensitisation with Eric with some super duper treats to help him over this little blip.
Thanks @MaccieD we will give this a go starting tomorrow. Eric has just gone out with hubbie for his last walk, let him get his harness etc on no problem Will let you all know how we get on tomorrow
@jools Forgot to add that if OH isn't confident using a clicker he could use 'Yes' or 'good boy' or something else entirely as the marker, as long as the treat follows
things are going well. He responds very well to the treat and click when hands come near him we have both been off this week and he is literally hubbies shadow! where ever he goes Eric follows lol I have also been able to watch a lot more. This behaviour is definitely happening when he is tired. I did initially think it was just because he was after food, and he is always on the hunt for it, but when he is tired he is like a toddler. on work days when hubbie gets in, it is usually his daycare day that he is more grumbly (totally knackered) He doesn't settle very well if anything is going on unless he is put in his crate (put to bed ) he moves from room to room to garden.... following hubbie! This is when the growling or backing off occurs. Yesterday I took him to his crate, he wasn't over the moon and i'm sure I heard him hurrrrumph lol.. but within 10 seconds he was snoring, 2 mins later on his back. Once he'd had his snooze he was great. Trainer is coming next week to look at the videos i've taken too xx
