What to do when she's growling. . .

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What to do when she's growling. . .

Posted : 7/17/2006 10:49:26 AM

I put this in aggression and didn't get much response. I think it's important so hopefully more people will see it here. Thanks and sorry if the double post bothers anyone. But, this is extremely important to me.

Ugh, this night is just not working out. First, huge fight with my mom.

Then shortly after that DH comes home from work, goes about his business for awhile and then for some reason comes in and has Willow sit. So, she does. Then he tells her down. Which she has trouble with even for me. So, he tried to place her in a down like I do. Well, guess what. . . .yup. . . you guessed it. . . she growled at him.

I'm so frustrated. I've got her great with me. But, I can't control the world and DH. In fact, just as she growled, I was about to tell him to watch it. TOO LATE!!

He's PO'd, he doesn't want anything to do with her. She can't be trusted, blah, blah, blah. That's his usual when she does this.

I know that every time she's growled at him it's been he's hanging over her while she's lying down, he wants her to down, or some other submissive position. If she won't just do it for him and he tries to "make" her, forget it.

We both went "hey!!" when she growled and she immediately tried to give him her paw. Almost like, I didn't want to go down, but I know this too. It's sad.

Anyway, my question is this. . .when she does that what should I be doing? I don't want her to think growling is bad. . .well, it is. . .but, we don't want her to go directly to a snap or a bite instead. How should I react?? I'm the "pack leader" so what should I be doing?

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Mikaela Ritter

Posted : 7/17/2006 5:29:29 PM

It sounds to me like she might not consider him as a dominant figure. She knows your pack leader, but she's still above him. I'd try having him practice little dominance exercises with her, like walking through the door first, feeding her, those kinds of things. Little every day things that will help to enforce his dominance. Maybe have him take her for walks and keep her in the heel position.

The problem is if she gets away with growling it only enforces it, but to be honest I'm not exactly positive how to react when growled at. I *want* to say that if you ask her to do something, she needs to do it. If you let her resist she'll only resist more next time because she knows she can get away with it. But if you get angry with her, she could get defensive (though I guess that would vary by dog - I don't know her so I don't know how likely it would be for her to get more growly when confronted). My bf's dog has a similar problem but 5 million times worse. If you even look at this dog the wrong way he growls at you...forget about going anywhere near him or trying to put a leash on him. Pet him and you lose your hand. If he growls and you get stern with him he gets even worse and I've been told he goes after people sometimes when they do that. That kind of thing is pretty tricky [&:] Sorry I can't help more!

Karen

Posted : 7/17/2006 6:38:40 PM

wow this is a tough one.....I wish I could help you out. Personally, I have no idea what I would do.
Good luck!