My dog growls when he's excited. Does anyone know why?
He wasn't always our dog. We rescued him a few months ago when he was two-years old.
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when a pup is mis-treated, fear and aggression start to get mixed up in their heads... and it gets hard to "read" their intent.
somethin may have happened, before you rescued him, that a good, kind trainer can address.
course... could be that you have a gentle little soul who doesn't like a lot of fuss.
Please, do not use ecollars... or other shock methods to try and resolve the issue.... thanks.
somethin may have happened, before you rescued him, that a good, kind trainer can address.
course... could be that you have a gentle little soul who doesn't like a lot of fuss.
Please, do not use ecollars... or other shock methods to try and resolve the issue.... thanks.
@bethsmiles: Thank you so much. Yeah, we asked the shelter we got him from, and they couldn't tell us anything about his past. :/ We are in the process of looking for a trainer for him now. He is a very gentle and loving dog towards us, he just growls when he gets excited and he absolutely hates meeting other dogs out a walk.
@Laurie1638: from just what you've said... sounds like maybe it could be a fear/aggression thing. Does your pup hunker done and get quiet as you approach another dog... quietly walks toward em... low little growl... then, just when you think it's gonna be fine, he/she erupts into bark... and sometimes lunges at the other dog?
and then after... seems a little confused and needs comfort?
and then after... seems a little confused and needs comfort?
@bethsmiles: Yes, that's exactly what he does. We decided it would be best for him to meet other dogs with us there, because we thought he felt threatened by them. For a while he's fine, just sniffing them and that, and then he barks and lunges for them.
@Laurie1638: it's kinda heart-break'n... cause you know he is unhappy and just can't feel safe...
I know this costs some money... but it's soooo worth it:
see if you can find a behavior trainer for you, and your family. a good one will work with the humans!... they will teach you how to give your pup clues that he is safe and that he can rely on his humans to protect him.
they should also have access to monitored socialization environments.
your vet should be able to steer you in the right direction.
good luck... and don't give up! :)))
I know this costs some money... but it's soooo worth it:
see if you can find a behavior trainer for you, and your family. a good one will work with the humans!... they will teach you how to give your pup clues that he is safe and that he can rely on his humans to protect him.
they should also have access to monitored socialization environments.
your vet should be able to steer you in the right direction.
good luck... and don't give up! :)))