Is it normal for a dog to growl at its owners after being given a beef bone?

Question

Our one year old dog was given her first ever beef bone the other day (the kind you use for soup). For the next 10 minutes she would growl at us whenever we came too close. She has never growled at us before. Is this normal behaviour for a dog with a bone? Eventually she took it and went and laid under our bed with it. She is an indoor dog, so it's not like she can bury it. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Normal. Normal. Normal. Most do it. If you want to take it away offer up another treat before sticking your hand in there.

Answer 2

When in a human setting, no dog is supposed to growl and be possessive. Whilst it may be a totally natural behaviour in the wild where they have to defend their food, they are eating from a bowl in a human home by food provided to them by the humans... there is no place for it. As it in an instinctual behaviour, i would expect it in a dog that has not been trained not to growl. Some dogs will and some dogs won't. If dogs are already secure in their place at the bottom of the household, they will not attempt to cause conflict and naturally won't have any issues with it. Your friend is an idiot, a dog growling just for someone WALKING PAST? That dog needs to be trained like yesterday not to do that... Totally unacceptable. Personally it would be the first thing i would teach a dog as soon as it came home, my dog has no issue with his food being lifted, moved, pushed out of the way etc. I don't do it unless i need to and he is being fed in the kitchen instead of in the backgarden where he usually eats. Without training, most dogs will be possessive over food if not taught otherwise, however there are exceptions.

Answer 3

Yes it is normal for a dog to growl at ANY thing when it has a bone or treat. Fall back to the times when dogs were wolves and lived in packs. The dog has something it likes and you are part of its pack, so it is letting you know he is not ready to give it up. The best thing to do (I did this I own a Rottweiller) is to go to the dog when it growls at you and say loud and firm NO. When she stops growling tell the dog Good Dog.

I have worked with animals for 15 years, believe me it will work. If after awhile it does not solve the growling problem, stop giving that type of bone to the dog.

Answer 4

There is nothing you can do to prevent this. I have a 14 year old Chihuahua and he does exactly the same thing when I give him a ham bone. I never see him act that way when I give him his snacks or his food. But consider this. He is a dog, dogs like bones. He is obviously treasuring and enjoying the bone very much. No big deal, just keep the little ones away when you give him this seldom received treat.
As long as he isn't doing this and is otherwise obedient, i wouldn't be too concerned. My dog does not rule the roost and is very well mannered, otherwise.

Answer 5

Dogs are carnivores that originally hunted in packs, before they became domesticated. A one year old dog normally assigns the status of Alpha male to one of it's owners, usually the man of the house, but not always. If you watch mutual of omaha (showing my age) or discovery channel, especially when wolves are concerned, you see this behavior all the time. The growl is a warning to the alpha male that the dog will not let you take his bone. This is typical in a young dog, who has not been imprinted with the love of his/her master. I had a dog for 9 years, and when my dog had puppies, I was the only one that was allowed to clean up the puppies, and check them out. I remember my dog growling at me when young. You are dealing with a youngster, in dog years, and all you have to do is remember when your brother or sister tried to steal something off your plate. Same Difference, you howled and yelped to mom. Since dogs cannot talk, this is the closest thing to a "back off"

Answer 6

Yes, I had a dog that did that over s abit of hamburger my brother gave it for his 1st birthday - I wanted to take it away, as my dogs don't get table food, but he growled... anytime anyone came near.

don't give it those kinds of treats. It was being protective of the bone and wanted to feel safe that you woulnd't take it away like other toys that you may play fetch with, until it felt certain it was OK to lay down and chew on it. I wouldn't give it a treat like that, as if children or people not used to the dog were around, it might be liable to bite!

Answer 7

Stop it immediatly.
If she growls tell her "No" take the treat from her and then do not give it back.
if she does it again, do the same thing. She is trying to tell you she is the boss. Do not let her. you have to set dominence or you will have a serious liability exspecialy if she is a large dog.
Food aggression is the worst kind of aggression. It could cause a small child to get bitten or attacked.

Answer 8

It's normal because some dogs are possessive, thinking you will take it back. However, if you're not afraid of your dog, try to teach it that it's not permitted because if ever there is a young child around and your dog becomes so aggressive that they end up harming the child, you will have unhappy parents. My dog is like that, she is 15 soon to be 16yrs. old, my advice would be to get your dog out of the agression or else later on, it'll end up snapping at you when you're just walking by.

Answer 9

To the dog the bone was a prize possession and it did not want it to be taken. All that is needed is for you... or someone to establish that you are the leader...or alfa male if you will...and train the animal that the behavior is not acceptable. This is a common pact animal trait, There are books on the subject, or you can consult a dog behavior trainer.

Answer 10

Absolutely not. You should never allow you dog to growl at you. You need to train the dog properly or you are going to have problems in the future. I recommend you show your dog quickly who is the pack leader in this relationship.

If my dog growled at me I would take her down quickly. The best way I have found with my dog is to grab her by the back of her neck, make her lay down, and then roll her over. This quickly and humanely puts me in control.

I recommend you go to training classes. Petsmart has classes pretty cheap.

Answer 11

Only normal if the dog has bad bad manners.
Your dog is showing you that she does not wants you to take the bone from her and that she is warning you not to try.
You should be able to take food from your dog anytime you want.
This is a dominance issue and you will need to work on it or your dog will be running the house and you will be there to serve the dog.
Get some help from a trainer. Someone who does behavorial stuff would be the best.
Good luck.