Growling Problem

[Kaitlyn]

My sister's Mini Goldendoodle puppy started to growl at her, when she picks him up. Does anyone have a clue way the puppy is growling at her?

[LucyR]

This is a common problem.  Little dogs generally don't like being picked up by great big people!  It is frightening for them.  Just imagine what it would be like for you if a great pair of hands descended from above to lift you up to who knows what kind of fate?  The recommendation is that you don't do this if pup doesn't like it.  Start out by sitting on the ground and inviting pup into your lap with a treat.  Progress to a chair and invite pup to jump into your lap.  Then stand up with pup in your arms if he/she needs to be taken somewhere in arms.  Teach pup to jump down when he needs to do so.  Don't scold pup for growling when picked up.  Better to not do it if all you want is a cuddle!  Sometimes it is painful to have hands wrapped around pups middle for some physical reason.  Wouldn't hurt to have a vet visit!  Good luck.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I would have the puppy checked over by the vet.  Cubbie has back issues and will sometimes growl if you pick him up the wrong way because it is uncomfortable for him.  If the vet check comes back clean, then I would suggest that they work with a trainer while the puppy is still young.  They need to be able to handle (touch, move, lift) their dog without it growling at them. 

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

The first thought I had was the puppy might have a hernia or some other physical problem that makes being picked up uncomfortable. How old is the baby? Generally, even mini-goldendoodles aren't toy sized dogs, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about it being a "little dog" thing. The mini-GDs I've seen are at least as large as cockapoos - most even around 30-40 lbs full grown.

When the puppy growls, is it showing it's teeth? a grimace? Does he seem fearful? How long has she had the puppy? How long has the growling been going on? Has a child handled the puppy roughly?

As a trainer, I agree with Amy. If the vet gives the puppy a clean bill of health, your sister needs to find a trainer to work with them on solving this problem. Make sure whoever she works with is positive reinforcement and the puppy is not corrected for the growling. What is going to need to be done is re-shaping a negative experience into a positive, enjoyable one IF there is not a physical cause.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Has he recently had immunizations?  I found that when our foster got his rabies shot, he growled when handled for a couple of weeks.  The area around his immunization was a bit swollen and tender.

[Darcy & Millie]

My goldendoodle is doing the same (8 weeks).  However, she only does it when she's outside and I'm bringing her in.  I pick her up a lot in the house, and she doesn't do it.  I think it's because she simply doesn't want to go in the house.

I'm not sure how best to handle it in my situation either!

[Kacie Hollander]

Hi!  I just read your post.  My pup is doing the same thing.  Growling at me when it's time to come inside.  She bites the leash and bites me when I try to pick her up.  Has it gotten any better with your pup?  I'm worried that the growling is a sign of aggression....

[Darcy & Millie]

She's gotten a lot better, however, she's too big to lift up anymore!  The boys were trying to pick her up, up until a couple weeks ago, and she would give an occasional growl.  I was concerned about it, but I think she's just voicing she's not happy....her way to communicate.  I've been treating her every time she comes in, and don't have to pick her up anymore.  Or not much anyway.  She hasn't growled in awhile with that.  Once in awhile she does with food aggression though.  GRRR..  Even though I am forever handling her food while eating, she'll get something that she really likes, and will growl then.  I will continue to work with her on this. 

[LucyR]

This just posted on Facebook.  Useful information!!!!

Overhead Dread

Back in the days when I co-ran a rescue center for wolves and wolfdogs, we sometimes brought ambassador animals to educational events. If the events were held outdoors, we had to screen carefully for banners, flags, and other overhead objects that were likely to flap around and scare the animals. This fear of things overhead is not limited to wolves and wolfdogs; many dogs also have a case of Overhead Dread.

Here’s a classic example: A child approaches to pet a dog by extending a hand palm-down over the dog’s head. The dog cringes and perhaps moves away. Sure, some dogs have learned to tolerate this type of greeting, but there are still plenty who actively avoid it, and others who will take the offense and snap or bite at the offending hand.

In contrast, this next example is something most people don’t think about. Many of my training clients with small dogs can’t seem to get their dogs to come to them. When I ask to see what they’re doing, they call the dog, the dog runs toward them…and stops just out of arms’ reach. Why? Because that dog knows that once he reaches the owner, she’ll swoop down and scoop him up. Now, there’s nothing wrong with holding your dog (or so I hear, said the woman who’s never had a dog she could actually lift). But it’s easy enough to avoid that swooping part by crouching down, turning to the side, coaxing the dog to you, lifting, and then standing up together, or else getting the dog to jump up on an ottoman or couch and then picking him up. Soon enough, the dog is coming in close when called.

Even trainers and other professionals who work with dogs and generally know better sometimes forget to keep this common canine fear in mind. I have seen many professional trainers shake the hand of a client directly over the dog’s head. If the dog were fearful, a bite wouldn’t be entirely surprising. I recently held my breath as I watched a pet photographer lean over a frightened dog to adjust a human subject’s jewelry. Fortunately, the dog didn’t bite, but he easily could have. I’m not exempt from making an over-the-head mistake, either. Back in the ‘90s, when I practically lived at the shelter as a volunteer, the one and only time I was bitten was when I’d taken a small, fluffy white dog out to meet a prospective adopter. When it came time to put the dog back in the pen, I leaned over her oh-so-cute fluffball pen-mate—and got bit in the face. It didn’t break the skin, but it was certainly a wake-up call. And it was entirely my fault. Had that dog been a 200-pound rottweiler, chances are I would have been paying much more careful attention to what I was doing.

Even though we “know” certain facts about dog behavior, even when acting accordingly becomes second nature, it’s good to remain mindful. Or, since I can’t pass up a chance at a rhyme, just remember: To avoid Overhead Dread, be mindful instead.