Hoping for some advice. My 14 week old lab has started to growl when you try to pick him up from a lying down position. This isn't playful growling, it's aggressive with attempted bites. The first time he did it was an evening when he'd had an accident in his crate and we needed to clean him up. I'm wondering if he now accosiates being picked up with that? He's generally a well behaved pup so this is really upsetting. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!!
Hi @Jgb84 I think we need more information. Is this a new behaviour? Can you describe precisely how you pick him up? Why do you not just lure him out or use a house line? Are you picking up when he is half asleep?
Hi @Michael A Brooks Thanks for responding, yes it's new behaviour. First time he did it was late at night when we were trying to clean him and his crate up. Now it is generally but not exclusively in the evening, so yes I would say he is tired. It's usually when he's lying down, in his bed, his crate or on the sofa. He starts to growl sometimes as soon as you start to slide your hand onto his chest (I'd pick him up with one hand under his bum and the other under his front legs on his chest) . We will sometimes need to pick him up so would like to get rid of the behaviour rather than avoid it. Strangely he doesn't usually growl if you pick him up from a sitting/standing position. Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance. Jonathan
It is always best to teach a dog to *co-operate* with you, when you need to move him - rather than physically manhandling him. If you were asleep in your bed and someone came in and started pushing or pulling you around, it's not going to be very pleasant(!)... Dogs NEED to have things done to them, physically, during their lives which may not be pleasant - like vet visits, grooming, nail-clipping, tooth-cleaning, and being asked to get on/off furniture. If you FORCE yourself on the dog with any of this stuff, you are creating an oppositional relationship where it's dog-against-you - and some dogs won't tolerate that. Far better to teach your pup to work with you to achieve the ends you need. For moving the dog, it's always best to have a cue - like 'Out' for the crate or 'off' for the sofa - which you can then reinforce with a treat - and use the treat to lure the dog in the first place, whilst teaching the behaviour. Don't strengthen the behavioural muscle which is 'dog growling in response to being touched' - if you push the dog to the point of doing this over and over, you are strengthening that response and that connection in your dog. You now know your dog has a tendency towards this type of issue and it would be best to work preventatively towards solving body handling issues by getting a reputable and force-free behaviourist in to show you some exercises you can do.
Completely agree with Jo. I’ve seen the results of how manhandling can affect a pet owner relationship. Train the cue or lure. Don’t ever physically move the animal it will have lasting effects on your relationship and or anyone who might sit your dog. They don’t forget. And if can worsen if they begin to fear you to create a very bad situation. Growling is good. It is their way of saying I don’t like what you are doing, please stop. Nothing more.
