Hi all! I haven't been here in a while - lots going on. But a relatively recent worrying thing. Orion (9 months) growls at anyone who approaches him while he's sitting with me. I'm very worried about this! He growls at hubby and kids...he doesn't snap but acts very anxious and will bark once or twice, very sharply and warningly. It's got me torn up!!! What do I do?! He's very loving to them otherwise (morning hellos, greetings when they come home, etc.) and doesn't growl over food or treats. I'm so confused!! One point - he was the runt of 10 puppies so could that have to do with it? My hubby isn't very open to trying to sort through this and just says, "If he snaps at me, that's it!"
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Hi Paula, I think a behaviourist might be the best thing for this situation. One thing you could try is when they approach you could they give Orion a treat so he associates people approach as a good thing? I'm sure some others will be along with some better suggestions soon
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! I agree with Ternaya , a behaviourist may be your best bet . It sounds to me as though he is very over protective towards you if he only does this when sitting close to you , and for this reason , I would tend to treat him with a little indifference . If he comes to sit by you , don't automatically fuss him or even talk to him , I don't hold with the dominance theory but it would seem that he is testing the water , trying to be on your level and above all the others so a little ignoring might help .
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! I agree a behaviourist would likely help with this. To me, it sounds like resource guarding and you are his most important resource. Needs sorting ASAP, find some help to get the family round this issue.
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Hi paula. I agree with the others. It sounds like he is guarding you or protecting you and making sure the other members of the family know you are his and they should keep away. :-\ I think there is an article on the Labrador site about resource guarding it might give you some ideas if you substitute yourself as the resource. Im assuming he spends most of his time with you and you deal with him the most on a day to day basis. If you can get your OH and children to do more with Orion it might help. For example they could take it in turns to feed him or take him for a walk with out you and play with him without you. You could try and take a back seat from it so he has to rely on the others. Does he sit on the couch or chair with you ? Is it always the same place ? If yes you go and sit somewhere else and your OH sit where you normally do. You never know he might be guarding his spot on the couch and jump up with your OH. : . That would be easier to deal with. :-\ I hope you are able to work it out quickly. As the others have said a behaviourist should be able to help.
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! My elder girl went through a very brief phase of this, but with other animals, not people. Snapped at my sisters cat and dog when they came near when she was having a cuddle with ne ( didnt do it to my other dog). Like Kate I dont buy the dominance theory either, but I did exactly what Kate said, treated her with a little indifference around sister's animals for the rest of the visit, and just altered the balance of things a wee bit at home and it seemed to stop pretty quickly. Agree it needs dealt with asap...
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! I've just remembered something I did with my two. They haven't done it for a long time so I'd forgotten. In an evening they will curl up on the couch either side of me. Very occasionally Scott would decide scout was perhaps too cuddled up to me. He would stare at him then start to grumble. Scout would grumble back. I would make them get off the couch. Sitting on the couch with me is a treat/ reward. Only good behaviour gets rewarded. I'd invite them back up after a couple of minutes or so and they'd be fine. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do but as I said they haven't done it for a long time so maybe they got the message. : If Orion starts to growl when sitting by you you could try making him get off the couch and sit on the floor. If he won't get off you get off until he does then don't let him back on until your ready. He should wait to be invited. I think there is an article about dogs on furniture and training them to only get on when invited. It's your couch not his. :
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Just basics like making sure everyone feeds your dog and everyone gives treats etc so the dogs associated everyone with good things, also when some one approaches chat lightly and laugh as if they are best thing in the world will help the dog know this is a friend not a danger.
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Well, thought I'd update as this took a marvelous turn!! I tried all the excellent suggestions here, and also noted that once the kids went back to school for the fall term, and Orion was able to actually nap during the day, the growling vanished!!!! Could it be he was like a toddler, and cranky from no naps?????? ;D
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Glad to hear things turned around! Who knows exactly what goes on in their minds? Just relieved with you that he's stopped the growling, it is a worry.
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! Glad to hear the growling has stopped they do get cranky when tired
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! [quote author=Naya link=topic=7582.msg110000#msg110000 date=1410858374] Glad to hear the growling has stopped they do get cranky when tired [/quote] Exactly like me then. All joking aside, glad that Orion has come around. Good boy Orion.
Re: Grrrrrrowling at family members!!! [quote author=Leanangle link=topic=7582.msg110028#msg110028 date=1410867157] [quote author=Naya link=topic=7582.msg110000#msg110000 date=1410858374] Glad to hear the growling has stopped they do get cranky when tired [/quote] Exactly like me then. All joking aside, glad that Orion has come around. Good boy Orion. [/quote] me too... if i don't get my sleep, LEAVE ME ALONE. haha thanks everyone for the cheers!
