Growling Labradoodle

[Victoria NY]

I have 2 beautiful labradoodles - one 3 yr old boy and one 2 yr old girl. (Sister and brother). The boy has been growling at my daughter lately... Never did this before... She returned from college and I think that may have something to do with it. Strange thing - she pets him and he wags his tail and growls... When she says "hey!" And starts to walk away - he climbs all over her, licking and trying to cuddle... Like he's saying sorry... Yet, he continues to do it over and over? Odd? Anyone have any ideas what's going thru his head? The female never does that. She's a cuddler, so at first I thought it was jealousy. My daughter pets her and gets love, pets him and he growls... Now I'm not sure? Ideas? By the way, he doesn't growl at anyone else and usually is extremely loving to her. At night he wants to sleep in her room and is normally extremely affectionate toward her. Nevertheless, if she bends down to pet him or attempts to sit next to him when we are together in the family room he growls... So odd...
Torrieny from Syracuse NY
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[Diane D]

From my experience with an alpha male cockapoo, he is trying to establish his dominance over her. He's trying to let her know she is beneath him in the "pack". Had the same situation with my 2 plus year old male cockapoo. It escalated. Hope you have better luck. 

[Victoria NY]

Oh yikes!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Is the female close by? Could he be telling the other dog to back off? I am not sure what this might be, but maybe putting him into some training modes with your daughter where she gets him to do some tasks for a reward might re-define their heirarchy.

[BG and Gavin]

I would suggest your daughter do a couple of things to reinforce that she is the boss

1. actively ignore him by not looking at him, petting him or using his name (tell her to pretend she is the coolest kid at school, too cool to be bothered with him)

2. Walk him. Again no words. Attach him around her waist and just go.

3. Feed him. Again no words. Remember she is too cool to speak to him. 

4. I would have her kick him out of her room for a while too, just to assert her aauthority. Again no words just lead him out.

I am anxious to hear how it works out.

[Diane D]

Excellent advice. He's trying to establish his dominance over this "newcomer" to the pack.

[Victoria NY]

BG and Gavin and Diane - wow, yes!! That makes so much sense! Although she has been around since he was born, she left and went away to college and now he needs to show her that he's the boss of her! Thanks for the great advice!! We will have her do this and let you know how it works. Thanks so much everyone!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Wow!  I paid BIG money to a trainer to learn all this when I first brought Skadi home . Not that she growled, but the trainer was helping me become the 'pack' leader.   Very good advice.