Growling at strangers

[nira rajavasireddy]

My 5 month old puppy has started growling at strangers. She was always very shy and we've tried to socialize her as much as possible. The growling only lasts for a couple of minutes and then she's fine after that. She used to bark and cower behind my legs when she was younger but now she just growls. I'm not sure how to correct her,she has growled at me a few times and it's usually when I put her down from the sofa.i usually put her in time out and she knows that she has done something wrong and stops immediately. I'm not sure how to handle her growling at strangers as it's a fear response d not just because she's being wilful. I'd appreciate any advice!

[Tammy and Violet]

Can you make sure you have treats with all the time (depending on the situation) and have the stranger offer a treat ...and see how that goes ? just a thought... growling at this stage is  no fun     :(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would keep socializing her. However, take a step back from how close you get.  Take her so stores and parks and sit  where she can see but doesn't have to interact.  Put her in the car and park where  she can observe the action.  The more she sees, the more she will accept as normal. Walk outside the dog park or school and let her watch people and dogs.

[Deborah Brown]

How have you been handling socialization?  When you approach strangers, try to keep a distance that is comfortable for your dog - out of growling distance.  Then give her treats and keep her attention focused on you.  She will learn that strangers equals something good, getting treats.  It sounds like normal puppy fear so over time you should be able to get closer to strangers and eventually she will likely approach them on her own.  Don't insist that she "meet" or let anyone she is fearful of touch her.

You never want to suppress a warning sign like a growl.  Dogs who can't warn, resort to more serious reactions.  Instead you want to work on her fear of strangers.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

This could be as simple as the fear stage in puppies.

http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/DevelopmentalStages.html

I found this link  to be very informative.  

But, you said she has always been shy so my thoughts are that it is more.  You are going to have trouble with this issue since shy dogs will negatively react.  You need to teach her how to act with fear.  For us, keeping our girl in a heel during fear was a great way. 

Best Advice is to start training, in a class ( not privately) as soon as possible.   i would also consult a behaviorist in combination with the trainer.    Nip this now. 

[nira rajavasireddy]

Thanks Joanne. She's enrolled in puppy classes now, I'm thinking of enrolling her in some private lessons so that we can work on her growling and other things.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

On the front page today, is a reminder about a fairly new concept of ' The Yellow Ribbon Project"

Your pup would be a good candidate for YRP

http://www.care2.com/causes/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-yellow-ribbon-o...

Let the puppy alone. Let it take in the world slowly. Let her not have hands in her face all the time. Yes, she is cute, but she deserves to go slowly and not be overwhelmed.

So, is an idea for you

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You've received lots of great advice here.  I think there are two very different situations that you're describing.  One seems to be "fear based"...the growling at strangers.  For that I would go very slowly as others have said and never allow a stranger to approach her directly...reward as she calms down in the presence of the "stranger".  The growling at you when you remove her from the sofa is different IMO and should not be allowed.  I would stop allowing her access to that sofa unless you invite her up...she needs to know that YOU own it and she gets to be on it only when you say.  I would always correct a growl directed at me.  Have you heard about the "nothing in life is free" approach?  I think she's a great candidate for that.

[nira rajavasireddy]

It's interesting that Laila doesn't growl at strangers outside our home, she's shy and moves away when anyone approaches her but she doesn't growl or bark. It's only when anyone comes home. She is in puppy classes and we socialize her a lot. In fact we took her on a family trip to Tahoe where she stayed in a house with lots of people( kids and adults) She did very well, she wasn't shy at all. Whenever she growls at me, I correct her immediately and she seems to know that she's done something wrong. Thanks for all of your advice. It's so great to have so many points of view.