New Poster....have few behavior questions about my new doodle...

[sarah & max]

Hi, I'm new here and I have a few questions.

Let me give you some background on my doodle. Max is 3 years old next month. He is a retired breeder. He was nuetered in Dec. 2010 and began to acculamate to a pet lifestyle with his breeder owners. Before  he came to our home  he was shipped to San Fran to potential owners. All the breeder asked is you commit one month to bonding with Max and helping the transition of loyalty to you rather than his owner. (Very, very attached to his owner) The people in San Fran apparently decided on day 3 that Max was not adjusting, and sent him back. :( They lived in downtown and on the 6th floor of an apartment. 

 

Then I came along. I fell in love with him immediately! and he will not leave my side. No bonding problems here! However, anytime someone in the room gets up and even walks toward my direction, he growls. A low gurgle growl! Keep in mind his tail is wagging at the same time. Most time they say his name and he jumps up and runs over to them to be petted. I am not so concerned about the growling, BUT tonight, my son was playing with Max on the couch, and he got close to his face and Max snap at him. I was shocked and nervous at the same time. I immediately said NO,

 

I don't know if this is normal behavior for any dog when you get too close to their face, or if it is a sign of a deeper issue. I am not too worried about my kids, because they are all teenagers, but often we have young kids in our home.

 

Other than this, Max has been AMAZING. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

sarah

[Camilla and Darwin]

I am not an expert, so hopefully you will get comments from some of the more knowledgeable members. But I would say, that he is probably still adjusting and a little bit unsure of his environment. Leaving his home was most likely  traumatic for him, and if he's bonded to you he might still feel insecure and feel the need to protect/guard you. Not even from danger, just guard or protect you for himself. My advice would be to continue to give it time. Have your children do training with him, and have them give him his meals. This will help establish the pecking order. Tell them to avoid getting close to his face, or other things that appear to make him uncomfortable. Still, I would correct him when he growls, even if his tail is wagging. 

 

Keep us posted!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great advice!  I agree....he's probably a little confused and still nervous, and I always correct a growl when it's directed toward a person.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I am no expert either, but it sound to me like hes "protecting" or "guarding" you. It sounds like what happens when one of my cats gets close to one of Coopers bones. She would never do anything, and if the bone is closer to the cat that the dog, Cooper will just wait til the cat has moved, but growl quietly. How long have you had Max? He perhaps needs more time to settle in. Keep a close eye on him, correct his behaviour, and get the kids involved in training him (even if its just 1 or 2 tricks the kids teach him) so that he learns that they are above him in the pecking order

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

How long have YOU had him, it really doesn't say here and may be helpful for the more knowledgeable ones when they respond. Has it been a month?

[sarah & max]

Thank you for your advice. I will continue to correct his growl. I agree, I think that he is been thru alot and is still feeling insecure! Bless his heart, I have only had him for 11 days. We still have alot of work ahead of us. The nice part is he is completely obedience trained, so when corrected he comes right under my authority. I will keep you all posted. 

thanks again.

 

Sarah and Max

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Hi Sarah. Congrats on your new addition. Given time, I just know you are going to love and adore him and have no regrets. Sadly, as with us, when you take on a dog that has been through some form of trauma, you also take on "unknown" deep rooted fears. Our rescue Johnny has been with us for six months now and he too did the growling thing a lot, but it was when anyone stroked him from behind or tried to engulf him with a body cuddle. Although he can never get enough attention and love, he still growled when he was overwhelmed with cuddles...We would obviously say "NO" and back away as we did not risk a bite...although he has only growled and not bitten. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you that over time, this trait has really calmed down and he is becoming more and more accepting of being hugged. He does stiffen up though and I just know he wants to object, but we just continue tell him how "wonderful" he is etc. etc. Johnny also is very, very protective and has separation anxiety, but that too is diminishing over time. Good luck with your new furkid and do keep connected with this site. You wont find a better bunch of friends to help you through your journey....Hugs xx

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

His behavior is probably due to the life he lived. Max needs to know that all the people in your family (including your child) are above him). I would say that Max should not be allowed on the couch or beds as this will make him feel equal to you. Since you have a child, I would recommend that you find a really good animal behaviorist trainer to work with you, Max and your family. These issues can be worked through, but when you also have the safety of children to take into account, I think getting professional help asap is the best route.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I think it all just needs more time considering the life he had before you, then being passed around-probably has trust issues and a bit of fear in his new environment. Have everyone train him and only approach him from the front so he doesn't get startled. You should make it clear ESPECIALLY to liitle kids that he doesn't like being to close or for his head to be reached at. Good luck, don't give up!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am NOT a trainer!!! I have worked with a positive trainer with one of my fosters. I watched her do a professional temper test on this doodle. Boy, I was very surprised at the results she gave certain tests. I saw one thing, she saw something totally different. When she explained her reasons, I totally understood. I then understood that there is so much a professional trainer sees in body language that we doodle parents just do not see.

She told me that no foster should ever be allowed on furniture. That makes them feel that he is 'higher' than you (or your sons) and that can't be. He is not higher than any human.

Be concerned about growling. He is telling you that he doesn't like whatever is going on. A growl is a warning that must be heeded. The wagging of his tail is not always telling you he is happy.

When we meet people that want to pet the girls, I always tell them to pet them under their chin. For those who are not doggy people I give them a demonstration - I take my hand, move towards their eyes and just before I could touch their eyes I pat their heads. I explain that is what a dog sees - the physical motion towards their face and it is scary. Max has not learned to trust people - that will take time.

I would get up and walk away from Max anytime he growls at someone that is walking towards you. He will hate that and will learn very quickly that his growl made you leave him. Just be consistent with whatever correction you give him for growling.

[sarah & max]

Wow, you all are so encouraging. Thank you!. I am looking forward to Max learning how to trust the rest of the family, not just me! He has had to meet me, my hubby and 3 kids, our 3 other dogs and our cat. With all that, I think he is doing well. Today I had my middle son give Max his food. My kids are 13 and older, so they have a pretty good handle on what we are trying to do. That really helps!  And I think I know the answer, but I should ONLY correct the growling at people issue, NOT the growling when he hears someone come in the back door. I mean I guess I see that as he's letting us know that someone is here or that he hears something. Please let me know if I am wrong.

thank you for welcoming me & max into your doodle world!

 

sarah

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Sarah - I make my girls 'work' for every meal and treat. They must sit and wait while I put their bowls down. They do not get up until they get the 'okay'. When it is time for treats, they dog doggy push ups, sit, wait, down, whatever.

When Samantha & I play ball, the ball is placed in my hand - not dropped on the floor and her taking off. She has to look me in the eye and not stare at the ball. I want her attention on me and not the ball.

I would correct growling at the back door. A bark is different but growling is not something that I tolerate.