Gumbo is starting to growl at 12 weeks old

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Gumbo comes to work with me every day and for the most part stays content in my back room and/or behind my counter usually snoozing or playing with his kong or bully stick under my desk. When customers come in and see him, of course they immediately want to approach him and pet him. It's very interesting to just stand back and see his reaction. I try to keep a neutral expression and speak to everyone in the same peppy professional tone that I always do. So, I know he's not "reading" me when he growls.  Some people can be so sweet and step forward and he does a very quiet growl when they try to approach. Then with other people he goes up to them with his tail wagging?  I don't get it and I'm trying to figure it out.  I don't act any differently toward any of my customers. Why does he not like some yet like others? There isn't a pattern either ( for ex, only growls at men, taller/bigger people etc).  Also, what should I do when he growls? Do I tell him No and give him a time out? Or is growling just a natural part of being a dog? Ignore it and carry on speaking to the customer? Make him go to the back?  I'm just worried how serious growling is and is it considered acceptable dog behavior? thanks!!

[Becka]

I would say that growling at customers is never acceptable behavior, and you definitely need to get to the bottom of this. Is he resource guarding his kong or bully stick? You will get lots of good advice here on what to do about this.

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Maybe he is resource guarding ME.???? LOL.... I never thought about this until you mentioned it, but it usually happens when someone is approaching me behind the desk.. Maybe he thinks they are gonna try to get to me? But if I come out from behind my desk and stand beside the customer and speak to them, he will come out and let the customers pet him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I should have read your response first before posting below, lol. Sounds to me like you've answered your own question. :) 3

By coming out from behind the counter and going to the customer, you're telling Gumbo "This person is not a threat." 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A growl is a warning. Don't correct it, or you may end up with a dog who skips the warning and goes straight to the bite. 

I would start by looking at the body language of the people who elicit a growl versus those who make him feel comfortable approaching. Are some people bending over him? Reaching out their hand at his head or face? (It's a myth that you should approach a dog with your hand outstretched, regardless of whether your hand is open or not and which way your palm is facing.) Are some people coming at him head on, and others approaching him from the side as opposed to waiting for him to approach them? Are they holding any objects?  Is he in a location where there is no escape route (like a corner) versus being in an open area at the times he growls? Are some wearing sunglasses or hats? Any of these things may be threatening to him. You may see a pattern to his growling. 

Encourage people to allow him to approach them rather than coming at him. Encourage petting on his chest or his sides, never his head. 

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Thank you so much Karen!!!   Almost everyone who approaches extends their arm out for them to smell their hand. I had no idea this was a myth.  Should they just keep arms to their sides and then when Gumbo comes up to them, then they pet him on his sides? Also, do doodles get spooked from sunglasses/hats? I am very intrigued by all this info. Thank you. It's things I would have never even thought about!  I had no clue not to pet a dog on top of its head.... All of this wonderful information.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dogs of all breeds may get spooked by sunglasses and/or hats, not just doodles. :) It's very common. Any object that a dog doesn't understand or that seems "out of place" to the dog may cause them to be fearful. 

You can let a dog smell your hand and still keep the arm down and close to your body at the same time, just turn the wrist so the palm is facing the dog and let him come close to you if he wants to. Reaching your arm out at a strange dog's face or head is never a good idea. If he does go to someone, they should pet him along his sides, chest or back. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Personally, I think it is none that is listed here.  I think you have entered the first fear stage. Maybe the second.

Read up on the puppy fear stages.  

 https://www.berkeleyhumane.org/files/galleries/CriticalFear.pdf

Here is  one link.  There are plenty more with a lot more information out there on the stages your pup will go through.  My dog growls constantly because he is chatty. It isnt a reaction to anything, he is  just a talking dog. So, take the word growl as general and use the surrounding circumstances also. Learn and  pay attention to your dog's body language! You can find plenty of visuals on a search also. 

Critical Fear Periods in Puppies
By Nancy Frensley, CAP2, CPDT

Behavior & Training Manager
Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society
The Critical Fear Periods in Puppies:

• Seven to Nine Weeks
• Four to Six Months
• Approximately Eight to Nine Months
• Approximately Twelve Months
• Approximately Fourteen to Eighteen Months

During these periods, puppies may show fear of items, situations or people with whom they
formerly felt safe. They may start barking at people entering a house or become fearful and
startle at benign items like trash cans, drainpipes or even yard gnomes. They may crouch,
shake and try to run away, submissively urinate or, tell the scary thing/person to go away by
showing an aggressive display, which may include piloerection, snarling, lunging or other unruly
behavior.
You must be patient during these periods and keep to a familiar routine. These are not good
times to introduce your puppy to new situations or people. Be very careful to avoid doling out
punishment or reprimands. It’s vitally important that you understand that your dog is afraid and
that you add to the problem when you reprimand or punish. This compounded fear, in turn,
can set the dog up for future aggression problems.
If you must introduce your puppy to new situations during these periods, do so slowly, with
good-tasting treats, so that he or she does not experience fear. Control situations so that you
can prevent a fearful response and show your puppy that you enjoy the situation. Use food
treats and happy talk to lure your puppy up to scary objects. Teach the targeting exercise
(touch your hand with his nose) and work on getting your puppy to “touch the goblin”.
When people visit your home during these periods, put your puppy in another room until
visitors are settled in, then bring your puppy out on leash and praise him or her for any show of
confidence. Have visitors toss good treats toward your puppy without approaching him or her.

 

And one more ...  here is my growling dog.  May or may not be your situation.  Again,pay attention to surroundings and body language. Dogs make noises. Whether they are growls... or play, or speech, or an all out warning needs to be figured out. You cant just peg a noise. It needs to be understood. 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/grrr-my-dog-growls

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Jo, thank you so much. loved the video of Spud. I didn't know dogs growled during play or that dogs have different types of growls. (This is my first dog ever).  Gumbo has been doing it with one of his squeaky toys too. He lays down and growls at it, barks and then shakes it all around in his mouth.  I'm glad to know he actually isn't "mad" at his toy. LOL... This video of Spud is very reassuring. Thank you so much.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

So glad I could help.  I think Spud makes about 20 different growl sounds at last count. They all mean something different: Play ( sometimes each toy gets its' own sound), Dad's home, Mom's home, someone is walking down the street, A bike or jogger, the cat is near my toy, strange dog, cool dog, hey stranger pet me,  OH and the best one is when my sons come home..

Just a lot of noise this guy makes but most of the time--97% it is chat. Pure chat. Hi pitch, low pitch, one-two-three bark, or a constant bark. then grrrr grrrr.. lots of different things