Growling

[Phyllis matyjewicz]

Our 7 week old puppy growled at the vet. She says we should take him to a behavorial therapist.

Is this something I should be considering?

 

[Aescleah]

everyone is right its not something to be taken lightly at all, however i think this sort of behaviour  is more common in boel puppies then alot of people think. my zeph was a horrible little puppy.  lol infact i like her alot more the older she gets. she growled she bit me in the face. you couldnt put her on your lap she growled  when you touched her,  touched her food  touched her toy when she got on the couch and climbed on you. she growled at the vet you named it and she growled at them or me for it. now she is doing pretty good but o man.

i think with boerboels you have to earn there trust be firm be fair so he or she understands where you are coming from this. can take alot of time and work for the first 2 weeks or so i used to hand feed her i used a clicker everytime i came up to her  i clicked and treated i laid down with her threw a blanket over her head and played a blanket game i sorta made up. on the other hand i stopped her getting on any furniture no beds no couches all these things helped and that was just for starters.

warning i know this is horrible and it hurt my feelings when she growled at me it hard not to take personally find help i went thru two trainers try not to get fusterated and do anything rash it could make the problems worse she is imprinting on you it takes time to build that trust with a boerboel you have to earn every bit of it but in the end its worth every min of it. there is nothing in this world like a boerboel.

 

good luck to you

 

[kate nicholson]

Phyllis what does the pups breeder say about this behavior?  I would be very unhappy to see this behavior in one of my babies.  Definitely be sure the vet checks him for any pain that could be causing his growling when picked up.  This is absolutely NOT acceptable in a pup this young. Not something to be taken lightly. IMO

[Lee May]

Hi Phyllis, not till you have all 3 sets of shots, and rabies too. Rather be safe than sorry, and if your other dog goes out, clean paws before coming in. warm water and old towel will do. Has pup been checked for worms stool and blood sample? Peace

[Phyllis matyjewicz]

When is it safe to take puppy out for a walk?
If I stay on pavement away from grass do I news to be concerned about parvo?

[Phyllis matyjewicz]

We got him from the same breeder as our other one. He was seven weeks old when we got him.He is nine weeks now. He growls sometime when we pick him up. He does not like it, thinks he is bigger than he is. I have been working with this trainer since we brought our other one home. She was a terror but she is terrific now.

[Lee May]

Good point Savas, experienced trainer, not a behaviorist is needed, for doing nothing or trying to ignoring bad behavior, there will be a price to be paid later on. I did not mention it as to not insult anyone. Pup must be evaluated in person, in home with family interaction to get a idea of the real root of the problem. Dogs don't ignore problems in packs wild or human nor do the tolerate it without correction.  Peace 

[Savas Pilarinos]

In what age did u get the puppy? at 7 weeks?

Anyway whatever the case is. It is a problem.. You need an experienced trainer, not just a trainer... Who will come and see your pups reactions and reasons that growls.. And will give you good advice and ways to stop it.. By the way did you take it from a breeder or pet shop?

[Lee May]

Phyllis

Well you have one extreme or the other on your hands. Most likely fear agression mabe from anything even from a small drop from mama moving him around in whelping pin. Put a stop to now it with a firm no and a finger to the nose lightly just a touch. When he stops give baby soft praise with two fingers under neck nice and soft, also while carrying him firmly since he may squirm as well. Stroke his back with two fingers while giving baby good talk to calm him. Pick him up often, never drop, when you put him down give body rub before releasing. Good Luck hope this helps. Peace  

[Phyllis matyjewicz]

He growls at us too, when we pick him up.  He is too little to get down the steps to the yard by himself, so we have to carry him.

[Lee May]

At this point, 7 weeks of age it could be either dominate or fear related. Look for tail reaction when he growels also stance, tall head up, chest out ot tail low mid or high, I would not ignore it for to long, only to figure out which way he leaning, temperment wise, remember he's not sure yet either. Need to ask has he been around this Vet before, also he may remember some pain/ bad feeling from one of his sets shots and remembers he doesn't like this place and it's smells. Has he been with other strangers and/or growled ar anyone else?