Growling

Advice please As some of you know I take Remus and Zee on walks with other sheps and dogs so they get plenty of socialisation. After the walk with friends we've been having a drink in the beer garden of a local pub for half an hour or so.

Remus and Zee both know the settle command, and sit or lie near me, both on-lead. Recently when we're sat Remus has started growling, a low rumble. when another dog is near him or looks at him. Even his best mate Thermo.

Out of character behaviour for him. Is he being protective, or just not happy with being sat with other dogs on lead? Zee's fine, and neither bother if I fuss any of the dogs we're sitting with.

Earlier I intervened when he had a stare-off with Toby - both stood stiff and were ears forward, tails wagging slow. Both doing low growls, so I stopped it before it turned into something. Got his attention, moved him away from Toby and made him sit - was that the right thing to do?

Remus is a placid dog, on the walks he plays and interacts with the other dogs fine. Avoids any spats (usually between the girls), doesn't initiate anything. He's 2.5 years old, neutered, as are all the males we socialise with.

[Stuart]

Anni,.. the first part of your post sounds a bit like my Sam,..if he goes to lie on a bed [ we have several ] and someone comes `into his space` he will give what we call a `grumble`,.. even if he goes and lies close to one of the others,.. he will often get back up again with a `grumble` and move away,..... there are many instance of this.

We call it a `grumble` and not a `growl` because I am convinced that is what it is,.. he likes his space and doesnt like anyone entering it,..its not a growl just a ` oh god, cant a guy have a bit of room` sort of moan.

This only happens at night when they [ and us ] settle later on, maybe to watch a bit of telly

....but of course without hearing it or seeing the stance etc,..its not an easy question to give an answer to

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Anni,.. the first part of your post sounds a bit like my Sam,..if he goes to lie on a bed [ we have several ] and someone comes `into his space` he will give what we call a `grumble`,.. if he is lieing there and one of the others lies too close to him,.. he will again `grumble` and move away,..... there are many instance of this.

We call it a `grumble` and not a `growl` because I am convinced that is what it is,.. he likes his space and doesnt like anyone entering it,..its not a growl just a ` oh god, cant a guy have a bit of room` so of moan

....but of course without hearing it or seeing the stance etc,..its not an easy question to give an answer to

That's what Polka used to do- she wasn't an aggressive dog and never got into trouble but she just liked to be left alone.

Originally Posted by Stuart

Anni,.. the first part of your post sounds a bit like my Sam,..if he goes to lie on a bed [ we have several ] and someone comes `into his space` he will give what we call a `grumble`,.. even if he goes and lies close to one of the others,.. he will often get back up again with a `grumble` and move away,..... there are many instance of this.

We call it a `grumble` and not a `growl` because I am convinced that is what it is,.. he likes his space and doesnt like anyone entering it,..its not a growl just a ` oh god, cant a guy have a bit of room` so of moan

....but of course without hearing it or seeing the stance etc,..its not an easy question to give an answer to

Yes Stuart that's it.. a grumble. When he first did it, my friends said 'Is that Remus?!' He'll do it lying down, or sitting, he's not alert with it - except the Toby incident where that was more of growl than a grumble.

Sorry, I'm probably not explaining it well! Just so out of character for my big soft boy. Everyone joked about it because of this!

Originally Posted by Heather

That's what Polka used to do- she wasn't an aggressive dog and never got into trouble but she just liked to be left alone.

Yes that would sum it up, 'leave me alone'

[Stuart]

Your words,..` not alert with it`,.. also makes it sound the same,.. `Oh gawd,.. not again`......and move away

[Caryll]

I think he's advising all & sundry to stay away from him and you! If was an aggressive growl, he'd have done more.

[LOVEGSD]

Sounds like a warning to the others that he likes his space and doesn't want them in it, so I wouldn't be too worried about it.

TBH I would have intervened as well when they were both staring at each other, the body language you describe sounds like it could be a pre-curser to a lunge, bared teeth and possible fight if neither backed down and they were left to it.