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Home: Behavioral Problems: Barking & Growling Problems:
6wkchihuahua/pomeranian GROWLING showing teeth!Help







shannyb
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Jan 28, 2004, 11:14 AM

Post #1 of 3 (2056 views)
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6wkchihuahua/pomeranian GROWLING showing teeth!Help Can't Post

PirateI have a 6wk old chihuahua/pomeranian mix I got 5 days ago. 80% of the time when you pick her up she will GROWL at you and even show her teeth! Sometimes if she is lying there and you pet her she'll start growling. I have children 15, 12, 8. Im afraid she'll be an aggressive dog.I have checked her all over to make sure she is not injured in any way and she seems to be fine. what do i do? I have tried grabbing her by the nap of the neck and giving her a little shack and that makes things worse. so now we are at looking her in the face and firmly saying no!! Help what do i do!Mad


nathalie
Doggyman


Jan 28, 2004, 12:12 PM

Post #2 of 3 (2054 views)
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Re: [shannyb] 6wkchihuahua/pomeranian GROWLING showing teeth!Help [In reply to] Can't Post

Smilehi,

was she a pup which has been abused? or possible she might be scared due to the change of environment. puppies tend to be very fusfrated when they chnage environment esp when they are seperated from the bitch. try to give him some treats n let him smell your hands....and your family's as well.

if he starts growling when i show him ur hand, just talk to him softly n pat his head. give him some time as he's still trying to cope with the environment. never ever try to be rough with him bcoz he's still scared n unfamiliar with u n ur family. By scaring him or trying to punish him will make things worse...spend more time with him eg take him out for a walk or try to say "no' whenever he growls..pat n reward him when he does not.


surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Jan 28, 2004, 7:49 PM

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Re: [shannyb] 6wkchihuahua/pomeranian GROWLING showing teeth!Help [In reply to] Can't Post

Hello ...

" ... I have tried grabbing her by the nap of the neck and giving her a little shack and that makes things worse ..."

You are absolutely right ... A growling dog is either hurt, nervous or both ... And smacking or yelling at a nervous dog will only make the dog more nervous and growl even more ... the more you push a nervous dog - the more you are forcing the dog to retaliate ... And when we push the dog too far and the dog bites - we yell - "Aggressive dog!!!" ... when truly, we escalated the suituation and we are as much (if not more) at fault than the dog ...

Definitely agree with Natalie ... It is very difficult to determine why a dog growls at its new owner ... Suffice to say that if a pup or dog has been properly reared ... growling is not normal ...

But for you, the important thing is to deal with the growling now ...

And since you have determined that your dog is not hurt in any way ... the idea is to recondition your dog and teach it that (a) she does not need to fear you and can trust you ... (b) that there is something better to do than growl ... Smile

To begin with and for the moment, I would not even suggest saying "NO" ... because at this point in time - "NO" has no meaning for your dog ... and your saying "NO" in a firm voice represents a reprimand that may frighten your dog even more ...

Whenever you approach your dog, try the following:

(a) Approach slowly ... saying hello in a soft high tone friendly voice ... happy happy all the time ...

(b) Before the growling begins - hold out a treat or a toy (find out what your dog likes best) ... all the time using a high friendly tone ... encourage the dog to take the treat or toy ... (Do not be afraid to change treats or toys until you find what she really likes) ... Remember to use small treats (or you will end up with a fat dog ... Tongue) ... Continue giving little treats or playing with the toy and keep the situation happy and stress free ... End the session on a high note ... and then slowly move away ...

(c) Move slowly ... after your dog is comfortable with your presence - engage in play ... tummy rubs and gentle stroking under her chin (avoid petting the dog on the head, stroking & patting are different, and carry different significance for most dogs) ... introduce games to play with the dog using the treats or toy ...

At this stage do not try to pick the dog up ... Again, end the session on a high note ... and then slowly move away ...

Do all the above regularly and numerous times a day (this requires your consistency & patience) ... do not attempt to carry or pick her up at this stage ... Keep (b) and (c) going for a week (if necessary, longer) ... build trust, confidence and respect ... and then you can slowly try and lift her front paws slowly ... do it all gradually step by step ... always stop as soon as the pup appears uncomfortable and take training one step back before progressing forward ... Building trust takes time.

This way ... you are reconditioning your dog - teaching her not to be frightened of you - keeping everything positive and happy ... building trust ... and in time, and not too long the pup will trust you enough to let you pick her up ...

You can also check this thread:

http://www.puppy.com.my/...conditioning;#108691

Cheers Smile


(This post was edited by surchinmy on Jan 28, 2004, 7:57 PM)

 
 




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