Any explanation on why this happened...

[clraymond]

and what I can do to stop it from happening again. Yesterday my Dad came over for a father's day cookout. Chance was sleeping in the kitchen with me and my Dad walked in and hugged me. I spoke to my dad, to say Happy fathers day, and my voice was calm. Chance jumped up and took this little stance thing and growled at my dad. I've hardly even heard this dog bark, much less growl. He met my dad before, but it was right before we took him to the vet when he had his blleding. So, Chance probably wasn't feeliung well or might not even remember. I thought it might have to do with him being asleep and all of a sudden being woken by a "strange" man in his kitchen. I had my dad let him sniff him and he gave him a bone. He ended up getting "used" to my dad. Do you think this will be okay?

Lori

[Carrie]

How often will Chance get to be around your Dad? If it's not often, he will view him as a stranger and he must be suspicious of strangers. If your Dad comes around fairly often, you can have him spend a little time with Chance. He can put Chance through his obedience skills; sit, come, down, stay, heel etc... and reward him with praise and treats. This gives Chance the idea that your Dad is also a person to look up to and respect.

Otherwise, if you Dad comes over very infrequently, Chance is viewing him as a stranger. He SHOULD be viewing him as someone who is acceptable to you and therefore he should be acceptable to him. (Chance) So, would you say that Chance didn't have eough socializing as a pup....where by people of all kinds would come to your house, where he would become accustomed to having new people stop in to visit? Socializing is what makes dogs recognize the difference between a stranger who is a threat and a friendly stranger who YOU also feel comfortable with.

So, I would encourage you to get Chance around your Dad or anyone else he's not completely comfortable around and get them to help Chance trust them and respect them as his "leaders" too by giving some commands and giving lots and lots of praise and treats. Have your Dad stand tall, not bending over the dog. He should use an assertive, but friendly voice....nothing tentative, but rather, a confident attitude. This helps bonding and relationship building....shows Chance where he stands in the scheme of things, but in a kind, happy way....all positive.

[flyndog]

Dogs can easily misinterpret our body language. Direct frontal approaches are threatening and dogs don't hug. Your dog probably misinterpreted your dad's intentions.
Kit

[clraymond]

Thanks for the advice.

My Dad comes over pretty often, but not every day. We took him for a walk one night and saw people along the way and he didn't growl or act timid or aggressive to them.

[Carrie]

Well, just keep socializing him and he'll get even more used to things and people. Dogs don't like it sometimes to be hugged, but they should accept someone hugging you. I've never had a problem with that. They are capable of learing some human body language as we are of learning some canine body language.

In fact, I've been reading some stuff....scientific studies about that very thing and how some of their body language is learned from ours, including smiling, which some dogs do. It was found that wolves do not do many of the same things dogs do, even if raised from puppies by humans.

[clraymond]

Interesting facts Carrie. Thanks for the reply. We will keep working on it. At least it didn't "annoy" my dad so I know that he will do whatever I tell him to to try to help the situation.
Lori