Growling-Opinions Please

[BusyBee]

Hi,

Amber has only been with us a week and we are still getting to know each other

We have had 2 occassions when she growled at our toddler 1 when he fell on to her, I was stood right next to him and was able to quickly scoop him up and calm her down, and a second when he was tearing around the house with a box on his head and I believe she thought he was headed right for her (the fact was that he was running to me but as she never leaves my side an understandable mistake).

I fully expected these sort of 'teething ' problems and the children and dog are supervised 100% of the time when together. When the children are too boistrous I pop Amber in her crate and let her rest.

The problem I am having is a difference of opinion with DH and wondered what you might think. I believe that when Amber growls she is indicating a behaviour that she doesn't like, it lets me know that she is unhappy I do not want to reprimand her for growling, infact I would encourage her to let me know and praise her for growling. DH thinks that she should be punished (not physically) but shouted at dragged away etc he has this thing about making sure she knows her place in the 'pack' and believes that letting her growl is giving her ideas above her station?

Just wondering what everyone elses opinion is?

[Heather]

I'm not good at this sort of thing but i would tell her off for growling. My rescue dog Loba growls at other dogs and I always give her a firm NO so she sees that it's not acceptable. She never growls at us though and I think growling at your children is not acceptable and certainly wouldn't praise her for it.

[kita]

I would never punish a dog for growling. How else is she going to tell you that she is unhappy?

If you punish for growling (by actually shouting at her and dragging her away) that means she will stop growling. Then she will show she is unhappy by biting - what else has she left? If she bites first you have got real problems on your hands - especially if she bites your child.

I would not praise her for growling, just calmly take her away from the situation and make sure it does not happen again.

I think you did everything right, apart from the fact I would not have put her in those situations in the first place. Very few dogs will tolerate a child falling on them, or tearing round the house with a box on their head (no doubt making a fair bit of noise as well ). At least she just warned him off.

Sue

[zetstaff]

I'm sorry but I wouldn't praise her either. There's a massive diversity of opinion about this. For me, growling at humans is simply not acceptable.

It must be very difficult with young children, particularly as you've only had Amber for a short time, but if the children are going to be very boisterous as of course they are, to avoid any problems you have to keep Amber seperate whilst they get rid of their energy.

She can spend time with them when they are calm, but letting them run round like you describe near her is I think asking for trouble.

She needs more time to get used to them, + it will improve as they get older xxx

[Angie]

As you've said, you and Amber are just getting to know each other. My old sharpei growled when he was happy, excited, fearful, showing aggression, the list goes on, he growled for everything! Only my immediate family could tell the differnece between the growls and it took us a long time to understand him. A growl as you well know is also a warning and IMHO I think it's imperative that in these early days the ground rules are set. If you think it's a sign of impending aggression Amber must be stopped from growling at family members. For the time being I would probably do as your OH is doing (without the shouting) but with a stern NO! If it continues I'd seek the advise of a pro. Good luck, I hope when she's settled in more she's becomes more comfortable with your toddler and they become the best of friends x

[Heather]

I wouldn't shout at her either or drag her away, but I would give her a firm no!

Originally Posted by kita

I would never punish a dog for growling. How else is she going to tell you that she is unhappy?

If you punish for growling (by actually shouting at her and dragging her away) that means she will stop growling. Then she will show she is unhappy by biting - what else has she left? If she bites first you have got real problems on your hands - especially if she bites your child.

I would not praise her for growling, just calmly take her away from the situation and make sure it does not happen again.

I think you did everything right, apart from the fact I would not have put her in those situations in the first place. Very few dogs will tolerate a child falling on them, or tearing round the house with a box on their head (no doubt making a fair bit of noise as well ). At least she just warned him off.

Sue

I agree with Kita
and I wouldnt put her in those situations either, she is only doing what is natural.
Linda

[GobbySchäferhund]

Hi

I would not praise a dog for growling as stated above and i would also remove the dog from the situation.BUT i think a dog should be able to tolerate a kid tearing around the house.

I know that Alfie can tear around our house and Jess does not bat an eyelid, Growing up also as kids we used to tear around the house and the dog wouldnt even think of growling,it would simply get up and walk off. What happens if the kids have friends around and you nip into another room and they get hyper all of a sudden ( As kids do) and the dog thinks its ok to growl or even go one step futher to warn them.CHOMP!!!

Im sorry but a dog should not even show aggression/growl in presence of a kid/s.

[sami]

I'm keeping my mouth shut this time!!!

Tracy

[GobbySchäferhund]

Originally Posted by sami

I'm keeping my mouth shut this time!!!

Tracy

Why whats up Tracey, Come on you know you want to comment