Pomeranian puppy keeps growling, is that normal?

Question

How do I correct her? I don't want my puppy to grow up aggressive.. She growls whenever picked up or touched in a certain way.. She is only 9 weeks old but after my 9yr old sister started rough playing with her shes started acting this way. I'm being told it's normal for dogs to growl when they play but it's starting to make me scared she'll be mean when she is older!

PS Right now she is literally running around the house like a fireball with a toy in her mouth making those growly noises!

Answer 1

Growling when playing is common and acceptable. Growling when picked up or touched is most certainly not. Get the help of a private trainer right away. I have big concerns about puppies who display this behavior. It must be taken care of now before she thinks this is okay and becomes an adult who can't be handled. Ask your vet for a referral or go to www.apdt.com.

Answer 2

thats how dogs play they think your a dog like them

please vote best

Answer 3

'Correcting' her for growling is the best way to create a dog that bites without warning. The growling when you pick her up or touch her is a warning. The growling when playing is natural (unless she's resource guarding in which case you will need to work on that).

Teaching her to accept being picked up and being touched can be accomplished by desensitization and counter-conditioning (see link) but you shouldn't just 'correct' her and continue to pick her up and touch her without working on this. A dog that is not allowed to growl is a dangerous dog.

Answer 4

Young puppies will 'try it on' so to speak. I have 3 Pomeranians, the youngest one, Poppy, I kept from my b*****s last litter. She did not like getting her eyes wiped or her feet touched when she was first getting used to being groomed, she would bare her teeth and try to bite me. I handled that by touching these parts all the more and shouting NO! to her when she got stroppy then praising her loudly when she let me touch her. It did not take long for her to understand that I am boss and I can do these things to her whether she likes it or not. It's a basic fear that she has that she may get hurt but once she realised that I will not hurt her she settled down and now I can do anything with her, she loves getting groomed and even goes to sleep whilst I brush her.

Little Poms can't take a lot of rough and tumble, they get hurt easily and it sounds like your sister has unwittingly hurt her in some way. It's a case of winning her trust back again and at the same time letting her know that you will not tolerate bad behaviour. Do not ever hit her as she is afraid and hitting will make things much worse, talk to her calmly and quietly and sit on the floor beside her. Tell her how good she is, stroke her and fuss her and slowly build up to touching her where she does not like it. When she bares her teeth or growls say a very firm No! wait a second then try again. Pomeranians are very clever little dogs and she will soon realise that she can trust you The fact that she is running around with her toy is good as she is obviously quite happy generally. Growling during play is quite OK, all puppies do this it's part of their growing up, but she must learn that she cannot do it to her family, you and your naughty sister. Have a word with your mum and see if she will explain to your sister that she has to be gentle with the puppy as they are so easy to seriously hurt, and vets charges a fortune to mend broken bones etc.

Best of luck with her. Once settled she will give you loads of love and kisses and plenty of fun. Can you imagine what it's like when my lot are running around playing in the house, they are growling, snarling and barking, but it is all under control and harmless, just sounds bad.

Answer 5

Its totaly normal. If she wasen't growling and playing and running around the house like crazy, I would seriously be concerned.

Answer 6

As long as you give her positive attention it will be all right. Trust me.

Answer 7

Your dog is fine it`s just being a cute playful puppy.But as it gets older you should train it.that way you will both be happy later.

Answer 8

it's not aggression right now. It is her playing, when she was with your sister she got a good reaction from growling, so now she thinks it is okay to growl. Okay when she growls spray her with water, she should stop, get a clicker and some boiled chicken and when you can touch her without growling click then treat.

repeat this all the time and she should stop.

Elmo my mini poodle used to growl play, this did the trick :)

also LOL @ little fireball! :)

Answer 9

You need to teach her what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior. Here are some things that may help:

1. Always put a drag lead on her. Use a light lead, and clip off the loop at the end so it doesn't catch on anything. Make sure to use a flat collar and not a training collar. When you dog does something inappropriate, non-mark her (ack, ack) and stop her. For example if she jumps on you, turn away and ignore her; if she gets on the furniture, use the lead to get her down.

2. Time-out. If your dog continues with her bad behavior after you have told her to stop, then say "time-out" and remove her to a time-out area (a safe but boring room, e.g. laundry room). Leave her in there for a couple of minutes and let her out. If she starts up again, non-mark her (ack, ack), and say time-out and put her back in time-out. This time lengthen the duration to about 10-15 minutes. Note that if your dog stops the bad behavior, make sure to praise her and give her good treats. Keep this up and your dog will learn that certain behaviors get her rewards while others get her into a boring room with nothing to do.

3. NILIF program. A great way to establish yourself as leader is through the control of resources. Don't give anything to your dog (including pets and affection) unless she does something for you first. For example ask her for a "sit" before you give her food, toys, or freedom.

4. Obedience training. Try and do some obedience training sessions everyday. Enroll in a class or get a positive reinforcement obedience book, and practice with her for short sessions (10-15 minutes) every day. Other end of the leash by patricia mcconnell is pretty good. This will help establish you as a leader, improve your bond with your dog, exercise your dog's mind, and give you good tools that you can use to help control her in the house.

I would also stop all rough play for now.