growling

can anyone give me some ideas on how i can stop chester growling and barking at evey dog we pass whilst out walking? he goes puppy training (hes 5 months old) he also growls and barks at small children his tail is usually wagging whilst doing this but all people see is a growling dog!







Moved post to Puppy Chat

Not really had this issue before. If his tail is wagging it isn't aggression. Can you try having him sit and being calm before he is introduced to new people or dogs. It might also help if you had a freind with a well socialized dog that you could walk him with

it could be excitement and wanting to meet new people and it's his way of attracting attention, we use the phrase"not every one wants to play" and firmly hold marley back and then use the wait command, seems to ease people's minds and instructs him

jstaff wrote:Not really had this issue before. If his tail is wagging it isn't aggression. Can you try having him sit and being calm before he is introduced to new people or dogs. It might also help if you had a freind with a well socialized dog that you could walk him with

I agree, it's unlikely to be aggression (although other people may not see that!), and what jstaff has sugested could work.

My boy does this and has done since he was about 10 weeks old. Its just excitement. When we get home or he just wants attention, he growls. I say he's just talking. Its a completely different growl to an aggressive growl but the problem is, the people he does it to on the street don't know that. It has got me into trouble, especially when he does it to children. I try to explain that its just his way of showing that he wants to say hello and be petted, but obviously their parents don't see it that way and I don't blame them at all for that. I haven't found a way of stopping it, its just part of who he is. All I can do is assure people that it is not meant aggressively.

thanks for tips chester does walk with my other dog willow but maybe i need my partner with me on walks at mo as they are both strong on the lead and maybe a few more training lessons before i go it alone!