Irritable when tired

[Marcey Peyser Friedman]

My puppy is about 6 months old. When the kids hug her too tight or approach her from behind and squeeze her she growls alittle at them. She tends to do this at night when she is tired.  She has never bitten anyone. I am alittle worried about this behavior. Any Ideas on how to stop her from doing this?

[Jennifer and Luci]

In my experience, she is growling to warn them to leave her alone.  Sometimes, especially when tired, they just don't want to be messed with...especially by kids :D.  I would suggest teaching the kids to leave her alone when she is tired and trying to sleep or if she growls..just walk away and let her know her warning was heard.

[Anthony Leong]

This is not good, remind me of my brother vicious Chihuahua.  My brother didn't get the dog from a well known breeder.  Where did you get the puppy?  Your 6 month old puppy shouldn't be growling at all.  Maybe sign up your puppy for a class?  Did you speak to the breeder about this problem?

[Jennifer and Luci]

Puppies learn from their Mom to growl a warning.  Her growling at the kids when she's tired doesn't make her vicious.

[Julie and Charlie]

This is more of a kid problem than a dog problem! The kids should stop bothering the dog. It would be different if it was unprovoked, but they are definitely annoying your dog if she's growling at them.

I'm sure you could teach your kids to be respectful, but also have your puppy respect them. Perhaps if this happens again, immediately move to a training session with high value treats (your kids can help!). Of course, the advice always is, if you are really concerned about what's going on, consult a trainer with experience.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Please teach your children how to approach your puppy and not to squeeze her. I agree with Julie and Jennifer.

[Anthony Leong]

I could do anything with my beloved Golden Retriever and she would never growl at me or at anybody.

[Jennifer and Luci]

I can absolutely do anything to my Doodle also and she wouldn't dream of growling at me.  This just doesn't sound like a vicious growling to me (although yes, sometimes it can mean trouble and should be addressed).  Sounds like she just wants some alone time and wants that respected.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hi Marcey, How old are your children? Are they old enough to do some training with the dog and also old enough to be taught how to properly interact with the dog. The puppy is telling them she wants to be left alone and if you let this continue it could well turn into a bite. I would suggest that you put the puppy in a crate when she is tired and everyone will be happier and safe. A lot of dogs do not like to be hugged and I know it's hard to get the kids to understand that but it is a very important lesson that they need to learn.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

My approach when my kids were young and we had a puppy is that they all had to follow my rules. The kids rules were that they never were allowed to give a tight hug, put their hands in the dogs bowl when she was eating (I could but I did't allow the kids too). I taught them that everyone has the right to the their space. If they didn't want the puppy in their bed that was their right but they were never allowed in her crate when she was in there. As much as I trusted her, she is a dog and the kids could get too excited for her.

Growling, showing teeth, turning their head away is their way of telling you to back off, I do not like what you are doing. There is no other way a dog can 'speak' how they feel. Your children need to be taught her language so everyone can be safe.

this is a poster on basic body language from Dr. Yin

http://info.drsophiayin.com/Portals/13722/docs/SYBodyLanguagePoster...

I work with Doodle Rescue Collective. I can't begin to tell you how many doodles need to find a new home because kids don't know a dogs body language. Please understand I am not being mean - I just have to tell you how I feel to keep everyone safe. I don't expect them to know and truth be told, I didn't know until my very good friend/doodle mom/ trainer had to temper test a doodle I was fostering. When the hug test was done, my foster borderline failed it. I was shocked!! I hugged this dog constantly. She slept in our bed. When my friend asked me to show her how much this doodle loved my hugs I gave her a big bear hug like I do my doodles. She said - 'turn you head, see her tail?'  Jeez -  it is stiff as a board. She said 'try and wiggle her body' - I couldn't, she was as tight as a slab of concrete.  What I learned is that this foster loved me so she tolerated my hugs! If she didn't love me she could have bitten me and caused harm because I didn't know enough about what her body language was telling me. I learned so much in that short amount of time. 

Read some of the blogs that Sophia Yin has on her FaceBook page. I can't say that I believe 100% of what anyone writes but you can learn so much from her. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hi,
do a search here on DK. Hugging. There are some discussions about hugging and dogs. There is even an observant video around here somewhere. . In dog speak, dogs find hugging terribly offending similar to me just Slapping you in the face. It's true.
Children need to respect dogs too. A Good Training class for you all to take part in would be a great. I think we all want to do what is good for the family and dog. Make this a project to all do together.
Be respectful that puppies need a quiet place, just like they den in the wild to get some rest. We all need that, and especially growing pups. Provide a place were the pup can get away. And, please- no more hugging!
In reality this pup can't figure out why you are being mean- remember dogs think hugging is bad. The pup is calling out for help with this warning growl. Please step in and show your children the proper way :)
It is obvious they love the pup. Tell them, show your dog you love it by throwing balls

[Marcey Peyser Friedman]

Thank you for the great advice. It is my 9 year old daughter that Is the one not respecting the dogs body language. I will definetly tell them what you said. I do think it is a kid problem.

[Linda And Loo]

This was a good discussion. My grandkids can do anything with my Cavanese and she loves it and wants for more and more attention from them. Loo, my doodle, is much more stand offish. She does not growl but usually comes looking for me when the situation becomes too much for her. The older grandkids understand that she loves the same things RB does, belly rubs and ear scratching but they just can't over whelm her. We have had many talks about how to approach a dog. The teaching is an on going process, with the younger grandkids, 5 and younger. Loo is getting better and my 3 yr old told her Daddy not to pet Loo without talking to her first with his quiet voice. Loo is 11months now and she is getting much more social and is enjoying the grandkids much more. Problems do need to be addressed with the dog and with the kids. Good luck, Marcey!