He tends to growl at his sister when she tries to take his toy away, I do not know if he is just playing or being serious, however, being curious I tried to take his toy from him and check how he reacted. He started pulling back and growling while I was trying to pull the toy away. I think he shouldn't do this to me so I yelled let go. Nothing. Yelled louder. Nothing pulled stronger yelling even louder and he let go a little frightened. I repeated this several times, now he lets go usually at the second warning and when he let's go I say good boy and let him have the toy. Is this the right approach?
2007-12-18 07:26:27 · 18 answers · asked by silver wings 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He's playing a game called tug o' war... What are you doing?
Some dogs/puppies are more vocal than others, a growl isn't necessarily a sound of aggression. It can also be playful or loving, depends on the tone and the situation.
Play tug o' war with him, it's a great game and will help his teeth... well that's if you can get him to play now that you've taken all the fun out of it.
2007-12-18 07:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by Ista 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you know he is playing it's OK. It's when you are not playing with him and he growls at you that you need to stop him and discipline him. Do not yell because to him he thinks you are barking and to a dog or a puppy that only encourages him to bark as well. Right now since he is a puppie your yelling scares him but as he gets older it won't so you will need to train him to let go of his toys when play time is over.
2007-12-18 07:50:42 · answer #2 · answered by Belgariad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right theory. Yelling shouldn't be necessary though. You can play tug of war now that he is learning to turn loose - it is good excercise for him and now you can start practicing the "drop" command. Yes, you always want to end up with the toy and then if you choose to give it back that's okay - you're the boss. If you don't want to give it back you can still offer a treat instead. As far as his sister goes, this is normal play for puppies and they are establishing pack order between them. BOL!
2007-12-18 07:56:56 · answer #3 · answered by angels4siberians 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you say good boy afterwards, he may think that he is being good for growling. When you take it say bad boy and put it away for about 1/2 and hour. When you give it back say be nice.
My dog does thing a lot to, unless she tries to give it to me. Try what i said a few times and see if it works. If it doesn't then sorry. Hope you get the right answer soon.
Good luck and Bye!
2007-12-18 07:33:23 · answer #4 · answered by Sagittarius_xo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My older dog makes growling noises when I play with him, has done since he was a pup, you'll know the difference when he does growl as a warning. This growling, I'm calling it growling because I can't think of a better word, is harmless. Good luck.
2007-12-18 10:53:05 · answer #5 · answered by Little Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this....get him tugging with his favorite toy.....some dogs growl as they are playing. When you want the toy to drop and the playing and tugging to stop, instead of PULLING the dog's toy out of his mouth, PUSH the toy inwards. You aren't trying to choke him, mind you, you are working with his natural instincts...for a dog (and most humans) the natural instinct is to go against force. If you are falling, you try to go the other way lol. If someone leans on you, your natural instinct is to put a bit more force the opposite way so that you support them. NATURAL INSTINCT. So the same follow suit for this exercise. When you are pulling the toy out, he wants to pull back. Your job is to work with nature...When you push the toy inward, his natural instinct is to release and open his mouth. Simply play tug....then stop tugging and as you push the toy toward the dog, say OUT. don't yell it, just say it. as soon as he opens his mouth praise him with some more playing and repeat the exercise. WORKS EVERY TIME.
Good luck.
2007-12-18 10:10:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't yell at your dog but should just firmly tell him No and then take the toy from his mouth, with practice and when he learns that you are not a threat he will stop growling
2007-12-18 07:30:41 · answer #7 · answered by Saga Lilly 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no this is not the right approach .
Animals respond to body language and voice tone, If you yell at him he thinks you are excited .
next time he growls at you stand up over him and lower your voice pitch as low as you can , and in a calm voice say NO FIDO. he will get the message. I dont know your dogs name so I said fido be shure you use HIS name
2007-12-18 07:33:57 · answer #8 · answered by eilatan_t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he was just being very possessive. i don't think you should yell at him. I trained my dog by holding a treat and said leave it. Of course he'll want the treat so he'll drop it. eventually i'm sure he'll drop the toy when you say "leave it". but one of those cheap water guns and when he does something bad squirt him. or if you need something right away just shoot him with a rubber band.
2007-12-18 07:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by NC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think your doing a very good job with your puppy. With my dog, he had an issue when ever I tried to touch his food. I did something similar and now he’ll even let me take food from his bowl when he’s eating like it’s nothing.
2007-12-18 07:30:36 · answer #10 · answered by jaded_shrew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋