Growling...

[Cali Doll]

I want to make sure I'm doing what's best for Bella. I did a quick forum search and now I'm concerned that Bella's growling needs to be stopped. Please help!

She talks back a lot. For example, let's say I make her get her front paws off the couch (by giving the "down" command and tugging on her leash), she will bark her displeasure and maybe growl a little. It isn't always a growl, sometimes she just barks her displeasure at something she doesn't like. How do I stop that? I'm assuming that's not good...even if I always make her stop doing whatever it is I want. During her holy terror puppy moments, she growls. This is usually during a frenzy of biting inappropriate things and running around. Is this concerning? I always make her stop biting me or the furniture, but sometimes I just put her in her playpen because it's just, bite, bite, bite, bite...

She can be like a little Tasmanian devil, for real.

I want to add that I use NILIF. She sits very well and she sits for everything: food, treats, toys, pets, etc...

 

[Manydogs]

Growling while running around playing, or playing with her toys is okay. Growling at you while she is eating, or because she doesn't like something you say or do, is a no no.
No dog of mine has ever growled at me (yet) I guess because I did not allow it from day one. I just told them no-you don't growl at your "mudder!"

 

[harveyspecter]

Growling while running around playing, or playing with her toys is okay. Growling at you while she is eating, or because she doesn't like something you say or do, is a no no.
No dog of mine has ever growled at me (yet) I guess because I did not allow it from day one. I just told them no-you don't growl at your "mudder!"

yup don't growl at the hand that feeds you. - same motto here.

 

[Cali Doll]

Another example would be when I tell her, "No bite!" She will release the bite, but bark her displeasure. How do I correct that?

 

[dolphin]

Positive reinforcement on everything just like NILIF states and when she does it gently take both side of her face and make sure you get eye contact and say no sternly. She's still so young that just continuing the NILIF process all by itself most likely will end up working. Good Luck!!

 

[Cali Doll]

Positive reinforcement on everything just like NILIF states and when she does it gently take both side of her face and make sure you get eye contact and say no sternly. She's still so young that just continuing the NILIF process all by itself most likely will end up working. Good Luck!!

That makes sense. Thank you!

 

[2BullyMama]

Another example would be when I tell her, "No bite!" She will release the bite, but bark her displeasure. How do I correct that?

Imagine that, a female puppy talking back... hard to believe

 

[Cali Doll]

Imagine that, a female puppy talking back... hard to believe

Two stubborn females living under the same roof!

 

[2BullyMama]

Two stubborn females living under the same roof!

UH-OH! Challenge accepted?

 

[Cali Doll]

UH-OH! Challenge accepted?

Yes! It's a battle, but we're getting through it.

I must be crazy.

 

[2BullyMama]

Yes! It's a battle, but we're getting through it.

I must be crazy.

We battled Banks for 9 yrs... I think we won :D -- 9 glorious years of challenges and love

 

[Cali Doll]

We battled Banks for 9 yrs... I think we won :D -- 9 glorious years of challenges and love

Aww, I love this. I know you loved her dearly and I look forward to the same with my Bella.

 

[Libra926]

If you ever figure it out, let me know.

 

[RalphieBoy]

When does the growling begin? Ours never growl. The only time they bark is at each other. You could steal us blind and they don't even get up. When company comes to the house they look up but back to sleep or chewing on their bones. They are nine months old. Please tell me if they do not growl by three months or four months they never will.. Ralphie

 

[Manydogs]

[MENTION=12277]RalphieBoy[/MENTION] It is hard to believe they have never growled. Mine growl so much when they are playing and wrestling! So they don't growl when they are playing?
Also, you should know that when it comes to EBD's(who have their own plan...) no promises can be made!!