Hi, we have had our puppy from 8 weeks old and he recently turned 1. And for some bizzare reason he grows at my 10 year old girl when she approaches him when hes lying down? This has only just recently started happening. He never grows when standing up, he always plays with her, rolls over and lets her rub his tummy, he loves her so much! Just when hes relaxed and she approcahes him, he doesnt like it. Has she hurt him before when hes been lyign down? i really dont know. But also lately hes had issue with his ears, when he barks he flaps his head really quick and ears go mental. We are booked in to see the vet this week regarding this issue. Whcih makes me think, has my little girl rubbed his ear when its been sore too hard when hes been asleep hence the growling? When he does growl at her and we tell him off hes so apologetic hes goes mental, jumps on my lap and licks me, starts shaking. its almost like hes scared of my little girl? It really is quite bizzare! Hoping someone on here can help or maybe any ideas. Thanks in advance, Josh
It could be two things: Your dog has been harassed (in his eyes) by your child, and has tried subtle ways of communicating this - like turning his head away - but these have gone unnoticed by the child, who has continued to pet him. So he has had to escalate his communication to a growl so that it gets understood. Please don't let your child approach your dog when he is lying down if he is uncomfortable with this. Or - your dog's ears are causing him pain and yes, when they are moved this causes even more pain - and he anticipates that your child is about to touch them. In which case - see the vet and/or investigate some Thornit powder on Amazon...
Thanks Jo, that helps a lot. He was in the vets this morning and hes an ear ingection in both ears bless him. Ear drops for next 2 weeks hopefully will sort them out. Although i have some other people say ear drops never really worked but the Thornit powder did - may invest in a bottle of that also. What would you suggest for near future regarding my child? Just not to approach him whilst laying down for a while? Thanks, josh
hi my female 10 week Labrador does the same thing she is obsessed with daughter she will bite and her growl at her is this normal behavior
