#1
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testing?
I have a 20 month old female golden named Molly. She is a good dog but has on occassion tested me. What concerns me is that within the last 6-8 weeks she has growled at someone three different times. The first was my ds's friend (15 yr old female) Molly had her shoe and the girl was trying to get it from her. My dh was nearby and he disciplined her. Then a few weeks later I was taking Molly's bed away from her (she chewed a hole in it and was digging out the inards, fluff everywhere) and she she growled at me. I disciplined her. then this morning (again a few week time difference) my 9 yr old dd was trying to take one her toys away from Molly (Molly took it from her room) and she growled at her. I was in the bathroom at the time but my dd said she disciplined her and all was fine.
Molly is a good dog, she listens fairly well. She's not that great on the leash (pulls a fair amount, loves to grab the garbage, food, trash out on the streets) She's not a vocal dog, her front door manners are not good (she jumps on people at the door) but she is, for the most part, an easy dog. But I am wondering if the growling is something to be really worried about? I don't think she would snap but to me, any growling is unnacceptable. Any advice? |
#2
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growling doesn't always mean aggression. Growling can be very playful as well. are you absolutely certain your dog wasn't being playful? from what you've written, it sounds as if taking these items from her may have been misconstrued as play. My dog LOVES to run around w/ shoes in his mouth, if I try to quickly grab it from him, I'd probably get a growl as well, BUT, I'd recognize it as "oh! we're going to play w/ this! yay!" type of growl.
If I want to TAKE an item from my dog, I always ask for a LEAVE IT or GIVE prior to grabbing, pulling, and taking the item. This makes my actions perfectly CLEAR that I am NOT about to play with the dog or item. growling is a form of communication and IMO, shouldn't be discouraged. often times a growl is the first thing to happen before a SNAP. a dog who is disciplined for growling may skip that step and go straight to nipping without warning, which again my own opinion, but I think it's VERY dangerous. I would always prefer to have that growl first, so I know what the dog is communicating or trying to convey, whether it be play, aggression, annoyance, pain, etc... |
#3
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I totally agree with jessi76, please do not discipline your dog for growling. All you're doing is taking away a potential warning system. Here's some good info on dog body language that you might want to check out: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/body-language
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#4
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hmmm, after talking to my ds (15) he mentioned that she does growl sometimes when he's play tug-of-war or something similar with her so it could just be her playing (she is verrrrrrrrrrrry playful)
Thanks |
#5
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I agree, some growling is ok, Dazy growls alot during play and trying to get away with a rock or sock in her mouth. She is very vocal. She is very saucy, turns her head to the side...and looks at me as if to say...are you going to try and take this, can it be a game, should I run? LOL!
Does she freeze while she growls? Teeth showing? Whites of eyes?
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Momma to a pooch - Dazy the Dutchess of Duke Boyd of the canine kind Pubert Wizzer Howell-Boyd III of the feline kind R.I.P my little guy!! If you can't afford a vet, you can't afford a pet! 221/194/170(for next year) |
#6
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#7
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Thats how I would correct it... How are you correcting?
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Momma to a pooch - Dazy the Dutchess of Duke Boyd of the canine kind Pubert Wizzer Howell-Boyd III of the feline kind R.I.P my little guy!! If you can't afford a vet, you can't afford a pet! 221/194/170(for next year) Last edited by Ford Girl; March 7th, 2008 at 02:11 PM. |
#8
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I don't know what to tell you, just wanted to say good luck! Sounds like you're a lot better off than some other members that are having some more aggressive problems...........
........what is it with Goldens these days? Something in the water? Stars misaligned? Yikes.
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-Danaë |
#9
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__________________
Momma to a pooch - Dazy the Dutchess of Duke Boyd of the canine kind Pubert Wizzer Howell-Boyd III of the feline kind R.I.P my little guy!! If you can't afford a vet, you can't afford a pet! 221/194/170(for next year) |
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