Ok- my shnauzer has this bad habbit of growling while he plays with other dogs. How can I discipline him for the growling without him thinking I'm disciplining him for playing?
2006-07-12 14:28:06 · 14 answers · asked by crackers133 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
it's perfectly normal...I have a teacup cup chihuahua and he growls when we play..we just laugh...4.6 lbs full grown..so vicious!!
2006-07-12 14:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by ~BLueMoOnaNGel~ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't really discipline your dog for growling while playing. It's kinda like punishing your dog because he chews with his mouth open. Growling while playing is how dogs communicate,if he's not injuring the other dog you shouldn't be worrying.
2006-07-12 22:31:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a schnauzer as well.. a standard schnauzer. You may have a standard or probably a mini. Mini's are more of a terrier.. they're very known for being vocal. MOST mini-schnauzer owners that see us in the park or out and about go.. "wow., how in the heck do you keep her so quiet - I wish our dog was like that!"
PROBLEM OR JUST PLAY? Growling is usually not a problem. Unless it's a growl as in.. i'm growling and if you don't back off i'm going to rip your head off... then that's another story.
YOU CAN TEACH WITHOUT SCOLDING: We taught our schnauzer to be quiet.. we didn't "scold" her for barking.. we just taught her to not bark through redirection and a ton of consistency. There's nothing wrong with it.. she can socialize without barking and throwing a fit.. and she does quite well!!! Dogs actually do more communication through calming signals and body movement than with their voices anyway.
She is probably the most playful and energetic dog in puppy and now obedience class! And the trainer is just amazed at how well our daughter is doing. :) It's a school that people come to from different cities in the metro area here.
She also used to bark and growl at her toy ball full of treats. We taught her not to do that as well. She still has fun chasing it and going nutty.. just without the noise. We didn't want her to think that she gets food when she barks. That could be bad.
We never "scold" our dog. just freaking tons of redirection and tons of treats (treats are starting to go away now that she's getting older.. almost 7 months now) and being the alpha dog. Took lots of work and time.. but I'll tell ya.. she's the sweetest most wonderful dog I've ever had. People at my work even ask how the flip we did it. She's so quiet and well mannered (ESPECIALLY for a schnauzer) yet full of energy and happy as can be.
If you see your dog as NEEDING to stop growling.. and can't get it to happen, email us.. I'll try and give you ideas from what we did. But it may not really be necessary for you to get him to stop growling as long as you're cool with the noise.
If you want to see photos.. and cute stories.. of our dog.. http://pa.4biz.us - Feel free to share your photos or stories with us.. We love the schnauzer breed. .not sure if we'll ever get a different dog now. I love these critters! :) thehamburgs@hotmail.com
Schnauzer's ROCK! :)
P.S. PepperAnn (our schnauzer) does growl when we play tug of war.. I think it's important to let them do what they do naturally and not deprive them of it.. I just think there's a time for everything.. and that's her time she can growl and be rough... is with me and the tug.
PPS or PSS .. whatever! .. LOL.. Others say let the dog growl.. but I tend to say .. noooo.. it's not needed.. I've seen dogs growl in the park.. it looked innocent and fun, but the other dog took it as aggression and the play time turned sour real quick. I'd rather not have that incident, so I just prefer a non growling dog around other dogs. Just my preference.. not neccessarily wrong or right. :) I guess I'm overprotective maybe? Hey.. she's my first baby - what can I say!
2006-07-12 23:43:32 · answer #3 · answered by game buddee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Growling is a normal part of play for most breeds of dogs. Both of my dogs growl when they wrestle or play tug-of-war. Never once has it turned into a fight.
2006-07-12 21:37:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will depend on the growl. My dog growls when he plays. He also growls at dogs walking by his house. You need to learn what his growls are and whicj growl he gives when. Dogs are very vocal.
2006-07-12 22:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't. Growling while playing is normal for a terrier (and Schnauzers really are terriers!) and it's ok as long as it doesn't escalate into fighting or biting. You can try keeping him on a leash and giving him a gentle tug and saying "No, take it easy," if he's getting out of hand.
2006-07-13 23:50:09 · answer #6 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All three of my dogs growl when they play. This is normal. I watch my dogs closely to ensure that it doesn't escalate from playing. (I have 2 pit bulls and a cocker spaniel and my cocker growls the most)
2006-07-12 21:58:54 · answer #7 · answered by Mommy Pit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homigosh! Don't discipline the poor thing! They're just play-fighting. All dogs do it. It's completely normal, mine do it all the time. It's their nature.
2006-07-12 21:43:13 · answer #8 · answered by Ashakiran 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's playing. He's acting like a dog. Don't discourage him. If you reprimand him, he'll either stop being protective or become afraid of you. As long as you and he recognize the difference between play and life, you don't have a problem.
2006-07-12 21:32:06 · answer #9 · answered by zartsmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont its normal when some dogs growl when they play just let him growl when he plays
2006-07-12 21:36:20 · answer #10 · answered by c_sea 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 all dogs growl while growling i know because I've had dogs all my life don't believe me go to ask.com
2006-07-12 21:43:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋