Why is she growling at people all of a sudden? Ok wow little Bella has me pretty busy on here with questions lately..So here is another one..I took Her my sons baseball game yesterday. and we went for a little walk on the path that goes around the field. its a nice walking biking path with benches along way. well we were practicing with her leash, she is still getting used to walking on a leash. anyway, there was this older couple sitting on one of the benches. and when we approached the area where they were sitting, as soon as she spotted them, she stopped and started growling at them..:eek:..keep in mind she is only 15 weeks old?? and she did this a few times at the ball park, when we walked up on some kids she did the same thing..but I noticed as long as I was carrying her around she would not growl at anyone. people came up to see the cute puppy, and she was fine, kids wanted to pet her, and as long as she was in my arms, she would not react, but if I put her down, she growled at people, kids other dogs..everything...I kept telling her no and tried to stop the growling,, But I was baffled, is this normal you think? and how can I stop it, I dont want her to be an "unfriendly" puppy. and I also noticed her barking at people lately when they walk past the house too, when we are out in the yard. I dont remember my other ones doing this, but they may have an I just forgot??any suggestions. |
I wouldn't think the growling is normal, especially at such a young age. I've never experienced it anyways, unless they were being playful and growling. I would definitely put a stop to that NOW. Nip it in the butt while she is still young. I would give a slight correction and firmly tell her 'no' when she growls, but I would also use re-direction (such as a really good treat she likes, or a toy she really likes) and bring it along with you. Distract her before she even starts to growl... the minute she makes eye contact with somebody and looks like she might growl or bark, treat her for not growling (never give her a treat when she is growling or after she growls). Also, if possible, ask kids and strangers to give her treats... so she sees these people as a positive thing, not a negative one. Jackson has some shyness with strangers he's never met before, and he's gotten significantly better (he now goes up to people on his own) because I take him to kids baseball games (my cousins) and let the kids all give him treats etc and he's learned to love them all! Even though he is shy, I've never dealt with him growling at a stranger or barking (in public anyways... he barks at the door but that's it). Anyways good luck, I hope someone else can give you more advice!! |
I did take some treats with me to the park, and let the kids that came to see her give them to her, but they were in my bag in the car. so I didnt have them when we encountered the couple on the walking trail, because that was before the game started. I dont know if she was a little freaked out because of all the people or something. ( this was her first time in such a large crowed) but I did give her a correction and a firm NO, when she growled..It was just so weird how she was completely fine with everyone and everything as long as I was holding her. but if I sat her down it was a different story..My brother brought his puppy over yesterday morning and she growled at the puppy too at first. but after about 20 minutes she was playing with him?? I know puppy's go through a fear period, maybe this is hers. |
At 15 weeks these are new experiences she is having and she was growling because she was frightened...To bad you didn't have the treats so the couple (if they wanted) could have helped her to over come her fears. When this happens just move on and refocus her attention. I do not believe you should force a fear issue so if she doesn't want to take a treat from the couple then you move her on to new adventures. Sometimes it does help to pick her up so she feels more secure and then let her become more comfortable with the situation. Good Luck:) |
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