Growling

Penny's Girl · 01-04-2005, 10:00 PM

My male Chihuahua growls out of love but sometimes people think he is agressive. Is it wrong for him to be doing that. I know he loves to talk but other people take it the wrong way. What would you suggest?

***Carrie*** · 01-04-2005, 10:15 PM

If you're sure he's just talking and his body language say's playtime, then do nothing. And don't worry about other people.

My Chihuahua does that. He gets a toy and play growls and howls, going up and down the scale and bouncing from one note to another... and when I pretend like I'm going to get it, he really gets going. LOL. His rear is up in the air, tail going full throttle and he'll jump back, freeze and look at me as if to say, "Well???? Are you going to try and get it?" It's a game.

My Doberman does the same thing, just not quite as exaggerated. He and I both growl when we play tug. It's absolutely not aggression in this case. He's just playing.

flyndog · 01-05-2005, 04:40 PM

Some dogs do growl when they're happy or excited about something, and not just when they're playing with a toy. Most people don't know that and think that anytime a dog growls it's a bad thing. Like Carrie says, as long as you're sure he's happy, just keep explaining to people.

01-04-2005, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Penny's Girl Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 61 Rep Power: 76	Growling My male Chihuahua growls out of love but sometimes people think he is agressive. Is it wrong for him to be doing that. I know he loves to talk but other people take it the wrong way. What would you suggest?

01-05-2005, 04:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 185	Some dogs do growl when they're happy or excited about something, and not just when they're playing with a toy. Most people don't know that and think that anytime a dog growls it's a bad thing. Like Carrie says, as long as you're sure he's happy, just keep explaining to people.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

01-04-2005, 10:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,551 Rep Power: 292	If you're sure he's just talking and his body language say's playtime, then do nothing. And don't worry about other people. My Chihuahua does that. He gets a toy and play growls and howls, going up and down the scale and bouncing from one note to another... and when I pretend like I'm going to get it, he really gets going. LOL. His rear is up in the air, tail going full throttle and he'll jump back, freeze and look at me as if to say, "Well???? Are you going to try and get it?" It's a game. My Doberman does the same thing, just not quite as exaggerated. He and I both growl when we play tug. It's absolutely not aggression in this case. He's just playing.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)