growling..... - Page 4

Why is the dog growling?.....his temperament?...a pet peeve? both?

Maybe immature still not sure of himself? If he growls alot, at everything
it may be he is uncomfortable and wants to be alpha?

The question is why?...Not so much what is a growl.

 Growling is a warning... don't tread on me.

Puppies will growl at their toys when they are playing, but
that is different.

Mainlymax .. glad to see someone tries to 'in-see' into the dog ,  others don't /or won't .. I for the life of me can't understand why they simply ,  refuse to sak  ask a simple question ?...why ?  why is the dog doing what it does !! For heaven's sake ...when will these people learn : if you do not understand the dog , the how the He>>> are you going to develop , teach and train it .. for what it is worth Mainly  , don't leave the PDB .. others need your wisdom , they will be lost for sure  & you'll be missed . AP

I think most people who have a clue about training know that you have to identify the problem before you can fix it....or if its not a problem understand the behavior.  Not a hard concept.  I think the origianal poster was trying to spark conversations about different reasons why a dog may do it.  Sounds to me the poster knows the dog well.

Dutss,
I agree that Ron knows his dog and knows what he is doing. 

Jim

i have a point of contention here : first , and you will see this from me :" Say what you mean  , and mean what you say ".  
           if the original poster wants to know why a dog growls / and/or / in a specific context then simply ask ... ......  then the original poster goes on to  say in a context of working a dog :  " that[growling]  it is not a problem" . 
            i willl cncede , sometimes , and a grunt/grwl rarely it is not ,  ie Rotts are natural grunters/protestors.            BUT,  in a GSD , growling , that is a problem [ if not by defintition "problem' it is a behavior to at the very least to take note of ], !! not  with intetntion of meaning  that is not a good working dog ..but as 'as naseum pointed out' - and it has been as it has been pointed out a number of times , ' growling' is a signifyer , a communication . even a bark , a whine , a snort , everything about a dog has to be acknowledged , and accomodated to . everything a person says and does needs to be paid attention to , no different than an animal !! [ as i meetioned , i will not tell you what i think about that growl on purpose -how you should interpret a growl , what to do about it , how to future interact with the dog -- because of your rebutless and obstinance ...  you figure it out - this is the only way some of you folks will learn seeing yo don't wish to listen and learn !!]. Now i don't want to hear that person knows his dog / knows what he is doing --- Because .. the issue woulndn't have come up in regards to a certain dog !! right there , the first growl on a back tie , would have been attended to , rectified , there would bwe no post[ other than asking 'why dogs growl ina contect']  as i mentioned : if you want to talk about why a dog growls in a contect that is one thing .. but don't tell me that that all is OK when a dog is back tied and it growls !! [ unless you intentrionally / purposely are trying to work  the dog that way , and again ,,,, there would be no qestion in reference to that . you tell me he knows the dog .. soory for the arrogance but : where the bejibbers do you learn to work a dog in protection ??

Alphapup,
I'm not sure who you are addressing your reply too.  We have discussed the issue with the dog and the growling.  I think I explained my thoughts on the situation pretty clearly and offered what I would do when working this dog.  If everything else is good with the dog and the growling only shows up on the post work, I do not think it is a huge issue.  I understand the vocalizations of Rotties and what growling means to a GSD.  When I respond to someone, I respond directly too them and directly to the context of the post.  I am not going to lecture the novices and respond to someone who has competed at a high level and titled dogs before as if he is a novice. 

I have seen this behavior many times in GSD's and for a sport dog with excellent grips this is not a really big deal.  Would I work on it, of course.  Do I understand what the dog is saying, of course I do.  Can the dog go out and trial and score well, of course he can.  Remember, there is no perfect dog out there; every dog has it's issues.  If this is the biggest issue this dog has at 3 years old, well that's pretty good.


Jim 

jim /slamdunc .. my last post was NOT directed to you !! it was a reference to the original post ... growling is an issue , yes there is no perfect dog / or person , nor am i perfect either !! . But my point .. especially on an international forum , is more so directed where people come to learn .. / ok , the dog is 3 years old .. i am not critiqing what was done ..not my dog /or my training/ means nothing to me ! MY Platform is as i stated :  growling IS an issue and has [ at least to some degree] a significance  that when working a dog the behavior / expresson SHOULD be acknowlwedged ...  i aslo get annoyed when people who train dogs dismiss this .. IT IMPLIES THEY ARE NOT READING THE DOG [ or don't care]!! that is fundamental in trianing , isn't it ??  'READ THE DOG !'.. .. i really don't care if one has trained at a local club ,  trained national level  , International level  or even goes on the lecture ciruit !! I stated my case with certainty ... the dog is communicating. IPSO FACTO !! . grwoling meansz , in any context, the dog is thinking , fdeeling , motivatd in accordance to feel the need to growl to accomplish a goal !! IPSO FACTO !! ---- now for an illustrastion:, i have a 6 year old GSD , a pup approached him in a submissive play mode ,  the older dog  lightly in a split second growled. , result - the  pup left ..  YOU SHOULD KNOW : EVERYTHING A CANINE DOES IS WITH A PURPOSE !! a growl is not haphazard , just beacuse the dog wants to pass time !! > So MY POINT : I guess when a dog growls , it growls because it has nothing better to do [ or say] right **^^^!!. Again , I am not bombasting  the original trainer or poster .. but again my position , don't insult my intelligence or experience .... now if one choises not to take note / or say it doesn't matter the dog works good -- /Fine .. i am not hewre to be a training director !! BUT , . Ad nuaseum , i mostly comment  for the sake of someone new to canines ... please learn if you will ...  [ even though the learned - so called experienced here disagree / that's ok . we all have OPs.]  ..then discover for yourselves :  a dog's vocalization , all vocalizations have significance and meaning .. we better understand that , don't say it doesn't matter. .and don't say i am not concearned like it doesn't matter .             now , without being indignant , but i am honest -, i don't mkae money or a lviving exploiting people or dogs..  FOR the record , if you think my words afre meaningless _  i  have been tested /examined  /  certified , have extensive learning theory ,  an animal beahviorism background , was tested 33 times to qualify me to handle canines, trained and was mentored  by the best nationally and internationally ..i  trained state police canine .. and again with respect .. if you are telling me you are learned and a growling  has no signifcance -- please reconsider your viewpoint ..  NOW,  whenther a dog is worked or titled[ i have worked numerous dogs with temperenant flaws BTW in protection !!] then i think that person that questions what i am saying better start all over again ! I the issue of how the dog ulimately performed was not my postion,  i would be cautiuos in trianing young dogs ... i won't recant that .... BUT ..... you know --this is my fault too .either i thought / should have made that precisely clear regarding growling [ i thought i did], or i sholuld have hung it up becuase: i  should know that you  cant put an idea in someon's mind when it is already filled to the brim !!

whew....had a nice day at training....removed my boy from the pole....starting the hold and bark in front of the blind:-) Growled once....I raised this boy from 8 weeks old. I know he is vocal at times...I stated I wasn't worrying about the growling because...growling is his nature....he displays it in other parts of his life:-) I am quite satisfied with him... We'll be competing this fall...having fun. Conversation was good guys...ALPHA...wooosaaa!