I have a 6 month old lab who is finally getting used to my home. the only problem is, he slightly growls at my step-son. he doesnt get really agressive, but he starts lifting his lip and getting ready to growl. what does that mean? he is perfectly fine with me and my spouse. what should i do?
2007-03-19 11:15:35 · 6 answers · asked by CeCe 1 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Could be a fear response. Could also be you are inadvertantly reinforcing that behavior.
If I were doing a private consultation, I'd have to know more info to make an informed assessment:
Does the step-son live with you?
What are the conditions that elicit the growl?
Where are you and your husband physically in relation to the step-son when the lip curl/growl happens?
How many times?
Has he actually growled or just lip curled?
How long have you had the dog?
Is he neutered?
Who feeds him?
What do you feed him?
etc.
It still sounds like a fear response to me, with a little bit of territory guarding. Stand with the step son and both of you hand feed the dog.
and take that dog to class so he can get a little more socialized and used to different things.
Try this book: "How to be Leader of the Pack and Have Your Dog Love you For it" by Dr. Patricia McConnell.
2007-03-19 11:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe your step-son teases him. That could cause a dog to become very aggresive towards a person. Making him not trust your step-son. He is probably becoming dominant(since he is a male).
2007-03-19 19:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by Shell-Bob 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, make sure your step-son is treating the pup the right way. Often times, pups get mad at people who don't treat them nicely. Or you could always try to make your pup and step-son share more time together.
2007-03-19 18:38:51 · answer #3 · answered by ♀VANshee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your son needs to be higher or more of a leader your dog should be calm and submissive not agressive in any way even if your son hurts the dog your son is in command
2007-03-19 18:24:59 · answer #4 · answered by mikkie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe your son has done something to your dog for him to not like him....especially if he's fine with everyone else
2007-03-23 04:27:07 · answer #5 · answered by dillaboo685 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this happends a lot to dogs. He is being the "alpha male." he is trying to take charge of the household. My dog, Koda, used to be like this but i got a professional trainer to come in and help.
i still have the papers that she gave us, i can e-mail to you if you would like:
love.malachai@yahoo.ca
or
aussie_canadien@hotmail.com
2007-03-19 18:20:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋