My puppy growled at me twice while I was rubbing his tummy. I give him a belly rub when he lies on his back but then he starts growling so I back off. Anything wrong with what I'm doing ?
2007-02-12 08:22:25 · 6 answers · asked by Kermie 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for your answers. I decided to take him to the vet tomorrow. To Tyger, yes he kicks his legs when his belly is rubbed, and he lies on his back when I approach so I'm guessing he likes it.
2007-02-14 04:49:17 · update #1
When you have the pup on his back you're putting him in a "submissive posture" and showing him your the boss. However, when he growls and you remove your hand, your giving him the signal that HE'S the dominant one.
Such mixed signals can cause behavior problems later on. (He may keep trying to "test' to see how dominant he can become by not doing what you want him to do; putting his mouth on you, etc.)
Next time the pup growls, give him a firm but calm "no growling" command, rub his belly a little bit more and THEN release him. That tells him that you're still in charge, but still lets him get up when he want to.
2007-02-12 08:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may just have to give him time. Dogs on their backs with their bellies in the air are at their most vulnerable position. In fact, dogs in the wild would flip their opponents onto their backs sometimes with the intent to kill. This is one reason why many people argue against using the "alpha roll" (the practice of forcing a dog onto his back to show him that you are dominant).
A dog on their back is at the ultimate submissive position, so he may just not be comfortable with having you rub his sensitive tummy yet.
It took our puppy a while to get used to us rubbing her belly, too. The more she trusted us, the more willing she was to go on her back and let us touch her. She learned that being belly up was a good thing. Now, she'll just flop over on her back for belly rubs all the time. :)
You can read more about the alpha roll here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll
2007-02-12 16:40:01 · answer #2 · answered by doza1621 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm guessing the dog doesn't like it. He may have pain and is trying to tell you. Some pups get hernias, check his stomach area. Also, a puppy shouldn't have attitude like that unless something is wrong. If it's nothing physical, then I would try administering Bak flower with essences added. It will change a cranky dog into a dog with a better temperment. It is totally safe, if fact people can take it as well,know any cranky people? LOL
2007-02-12 16:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some dogs just don't like belly rubs.
Double check with the vet though, that it isn't pain causing this.
2007-02-12 16:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How old is your puppy? It may just be the way it expresses himself. As long as it hasn't tried to bite I wouldn't worry about it. My dog used to pinch bite when we scratched his tummy, not out of aggression but it just felt that good. Does it kick it's legs when you do it?
2007-02-12 16:27:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he seems to genuinly like his tummy being rubbed, then it could just be his way of telling you that he likes it - If he's trying to snap at you or anything, then it's a sign of agression.
2007-02-12 16:25:59 · answer #6 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋