Growling when Playing

[Nicole and Teddy]

Hi everyone! Wanted to pick your brain about some (what I think is) play growling in the backyard during playtime. It's usually just Teddy and I playing with one or two of his toys. We try to play fetch, but it's mostly me throwing the toy, him grabbing it, and then wanting me to get it and play tug with him. During this time, he has several bouts of super excited puppy 'madness' where he's running around vocalizing to himself. I wouldn't call it growling necessarily, but it's not barking either. Several times he's dropped the toy in front of himself on the ground and when I go to grab it, he makes the growl/bark noise and kind of lunges at my hand/arm. He's not an aggressive dog and is actually really submissive- especially with other dogs. I think this is just out of control behavior, but it makes me nervous because I'm afraid it will escalate. During these moments, he does have his mouth open and his teeth have connected with skin. Again, I don't think it's an intentional bite, more of aggressive play. Any thoughts on how to curb this behavior? Thank you!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I would change up the play time a bit because it sounds like he is getting over-stimulated. Perhaps use it as a training time to teach him to bring you the toy and drop it or hand it to you. You may have to keep him on a rope and start small to keep him from running with the toy.  And no tug-of-war with him. I don't know how you feel about Cesar Milan but in the video linked below he gives good reasons why the tug game can, if not handled correctly, create problems.  If Teddy is connecting with skin it sounds like a warning nip. Tara is very submissive and yet very vocal when she plays (lots of growling)  but she has never showed her teeth or nipped and if I want the toy she willingly surrenders it to me. As Cesar says, it is important to build your relationship first and maybe tug will be appropriate down the road.

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-training/affection/Tug-of-War-with-You...

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I chose not to play tug with Rip, too. And we did a lot of the "I take your toy (saying 'drop') - I give you a treat - and then I give your toy right back to you" game to show that when we take things, it is still great! Eventually we intermittently treated, then phased out the treat, but Rip will drop anything now! Oh, and I never chase him. He loves to play chase, but he knows not to play it with us (only with his play dates). I can just imagine him grabbing a sock and asking me to chase him for it, so I never ever took him up on his requests for that one, lol!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, treats were the answer for us too! Tara is very food motivated and will do almost anything even for just a kibble. LOL 

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Kate mouthed a lot for awhile.  She would pinch and being older it would bruise.  She quit doing it until we got a new pup. She is jealous of all the attention so she started the behavior again for awhile.  It's not aggressive just intensely playful.  My granddaughter was over and the pup (5 lb shih tzu) was blustery.  She sounded like she was going to attack Kate, our labradoodle.  My granddaughter looked frightened but when I looked at Kate she didn't even move.  She calmly took a paw and pinned her down.  I am learning a lot about the pup from watching our older dog.  

Another behavior they like to do is jump on you from behind.  I think we have nipped that one again.  Sometimes you can train a dog to stop playing when they get overly playful.  Going to their place might help.  Good luck.  It takes a village sometimes.  Cute dog though.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm firmly opposed to ever playing "tug" games with a dog, especially a puppy. I make it a rule never to encourage or allow a dog to try to pull anything from my hand, and I never ever try to wrestle a ball or toy out of his mouth during play. If he wants me to throw the ball (and he does), he must drop it. If his teeth ever touch skin, the game ends immediately. I really believe that these few simple rules decrease all the puppy nipping, the excited grabbing of clothes and body parts during play, etc. And there's nothing to growl about, either, lol.

I do think it's fine when a dog is playing by himself and growls as he shakes (kills) a stuffed toy, that kind of thing. But not when he's playing with you. 

And I wouldn't ever be a dog's caddy, lol. If he wants to play, he brings me the ball. No way am I going over to get it for him. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Exactly, love this...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have no problem with my dogs "vocalizing" when they're playing alone or even with each other.  I think as others have said what you're describing is just overexcited play.  You can calm things down by making the game happen on your terms.  When he drops it don't immediately go for it yourself....tell him to sit and wait....then when he's calm, you pick it up and throw it.  Eventually you can actually teach him to bring it to you, drop it, and wait for you to decide to pick it up and throw it.  I was playing indoor fetch with my guys tonight, and they dropped the ball just outside the kitchen where I was making dinner and then they laid there and waited until I was ready to throw it...10 minutes later.  When there's structure, they're still having fun but they're learning control as well.  Also, if this were to ever happen again...the game should end immediately.  Otherwise you are reinforcing that behavior.  Pick up the toy and put it away calmly.

[Laura and Angus]

I agree with everything said so far. I just wanted to add that our dog, Angus, has his mouth open constantly and with that it's easy for an overexcited dog to connect with your skin. I'd agree that you'll want to calm down the play and perhaps avoid tug games until Teddy is old enough to not get overly excited. We have been working on "drop it" when playing fetch and it takes a LOT of practice. We try to play fetch as much as possible with our puppy who (at 11 months) is fiiiiinally enjoying that game. I also wanted to add that our puppy is a very vocal dog and often growls or makes small barking sounds when he's laying by himself playing or chewing a toy. You can always just straight stop the play when he growls or lunges at your hand - doing this consistently will teach Teddy that that behavior is not allowed during play. Just takes consistency and practice...

[Nicole and Teddy]

This is awesome advice- thank you so much for the feedback. We will be trying these strategies very soon! :)