Growling in a young puppy? Day three.

So here I am, day three. Nitro has been brilliant in many ways. He still sleeping through the night. He's partially house trained. Even cried at the back door to relieve himself this morning.

However, he keeps growling at me when I try & bring him back in. I pick him up and his ears go back, and he does this deep growl at me. Normally followed by whining and more growling. I tell him a firm "No," every time. And hold on to him until he stops. He wriggles a fair bit tho .

I never experienced this with a dog before, as I previously said (last thread) my last dog was a Bull Mastiff. And she never growled at me.

Has anyone else here experienced this with a puppy so young? And if so, have you any advice? It's only when I pick him up btw.





Any help on my little devil would be very appreciated

Sorry I haven't experience of this with darcy, but I think your on the right track with your firm no's letting him know its not acceptable, but he is very much a puppy & learning all these new things in his new home, I'm sure with some persistence & patience you will get there, one thing I've learnt is they can be very stubborn & very cheeky

It sounds like the growl is because he feels scared with you picking him up?? Pups and staffies in particular can be very vocal growling etc when playing but if he is only growling when you pick hiom up and then whining I think he must not feel safe being lifted. Try and be really gentle and calming when you pick him up and hold him securely close to your chest.. Hope that helps.. Sounds like he is doing brilliantly in everything else though He is such a little cutie

Chiquito has been going through a similar stage - growling when he is picked up from a lounge/bed or some other place that he wants to stay ... sounds a little daunting, but is really similar to a child complaining when you make them do something they do not want to

Keep up with the stern no and use time out if needed ... be patient and consistent and it will stop in time (took about two weeks for Chiquito to really slow down with the growling). I also find that not picking him up too often (when it is not needed) also helps .. as said above, it can feel quite scary for them

(Just as a side note - I actually use a stern 'excuse me' instead of a 'no' for growling - as 'no' makes Chiquito growl or bark back at me .. I think he hears it as a growl!)

Kylie wrote:It sounds like the growl is because he feels scared with you picking him up?? Pups and staffies in particular can be very vocal growling etc when playing but if he is only growling when you pick hiom up and then whining I think he must not feel safe being lifted. Try and be really gentle and calming when you pick him up and hold him securely close to your chest.. Hope that helps.. Sounds like he is doing brilliantly in everything else though He is such a little cutie

He doesn't growl at me when I pick him up every time. Just when he doesn't want to come in from the garden. He hasn't tried to bite me when doing this, thank God lol! I think he's saying "Hey you! I don't want to come in & I'm bleady unhappy about it!"

I do understand that part, just find it a touch worrying. So hoping he will grow out of it.

And thanks yes, he's sweet (most the time lol).

Kell wrote:Chiquito has been going through a similar stage - growling when he is picked up from a lounge/bed or some other place that he wants to stay ... sounds a little daunting, but is really similar to a child complaining when you make them do something they do not want to

Keep up with the stern no and use time out if needed ... be patient and consistent and it will stop in time (took about two weeks for Chiquito to really slow down with the growling). I also find that not picking him up too often (when it is not needed) also helps .. as said above, it can feel quite scary for them

(Just as a side note - I actually use a stern 'excuse me' instead of a 'no' for growling - as 'no' makes Chiquito growl or bark back at me .. I think he hears it as a growl!)

Thank you . I feel tons better now. I just wanted to know it wasn't just me lol! I'm going to try your advice. He responds well to me clapping my hands and saying "No," when being naughty. If fact he stops straight away. Just isn't working with the growls.

Maybe I'll try him on his lead, that way I shouldn't have to lift him in from the garden.

Don't be worried it is very much like a 2 year old throwing a tantrum.. It is only a way to communicate that he dosen't want to go inside/get off the couch/bed etc Pups can be real little brats sometimes. . Just keep doing what your doing and he will work out that growling at you is unacceptable, don't let it intimidate you, growling is like a disagreement.. You just need to be firm and consistent..

Kylie wrote:Don't be worried it is very much like a 2 year old throwing a tantrum.. It is only a way to communicate that he dosen't want to go inside/get off the couch/bed etc Pups can be real little brats sometimes. . Just keep doing what your doing and he will work out that growling at you is unacceptable, don't let it intimidate you, growling is like a disagreement.. You just need to be firm and consistent..

I honestly feel loads better now . So glad I joined this lovely community. I'm so happy to be a Staffy owner & want to do the breed proud. I did loads of research before I got him. But I thought I might stumble on something I wasn't used to lol! Yup, I was right.

Thank you! ><

Sera wrote:

Kell wrote:Chiquito has been going through a similar stage - growling when he is picked up from a lounge/bed or some other place that he wants to stay ... sounds a little daunting, but is really similar to a child complaining when you make them do something they do not want to

Keep up with the stern no and use time out if needed ... be patient and consistent and it will stop in time (took about two weeks for Chiquito to really slow down with the growling). I also find that not picking him up too often (when it is not needed) also helps .. as said above, it can feel quite scary for them

(Just as a side note - I actually use a stern 'excuse me' instead of a 'no' for growling - as 'no' makes Chiquito growl or bark back at me .. I think he hears it as a growl!)

Thank you . I feel tons better now. I just wanted to know it wasn't just me lol! I'm going to try your advice. He responds well to me clapping my hands and saying "No," when being naughty. If fact he stops straight away. Just isn't working with the growls.

Maybe I'll try him on his lead, that way I shouldn't have to lift him in from the garden.

Glad to hear that you feel better - I know myself that hearing others experience the same issues I do is always very relieving and is one of the wonderful aspects of this forum

I think trying the lead would be a great idea ... also try rewarding him with a treat/lots of positive attention when he does come when asked (on or off lead) this will help to reinforce the behaviour that you are looking for.

Let us know how you go

Yeah this place is great like that.. Pretty much anything you are worried about, at least 1 person on here has gone through the same thing

Yeah, he's just being grumpy and telling you "No I do NOT want to come inside!" . At his age, any growling, snapping, barking, etc. they do is either playful or defiance, nothing bad or aggressive at all. You just have to be more stubborn than they are. Don't put him down when he growls, you don't want him to get his own way (they already get their own way a lot because of their adorable puppy eyes ).

Tara wrote:Yeah, he's just being grumpy and telling you "No I do NOT want to come inside!" . At his age, any growling, snapping, barking, etc. they do is either playful or defiance, nothing bad or aggressive at all. You just have to be more stubborn than they are. Don't put him down when he growls, you don't want him to get his own way (they already get their own way a lot because of their adorable puppy eyes ).

Well he's met his match, I'm Ms. Stubborn haha! My BF is brilliant with him too. Hopefully we can get him out of this soon.

Tommy was a real little grump at times with his little growls , he's just over 1 now and still does it occasionally , never with any signs of aggression its just as said already their way of saying just ***** off and leave me alone . We just ignore him and carry on whatever we were doing , regular handling etc is of massive importance and all part of that socialising / growing up experience and should never be backed away from

Dave wrote:Tommy was a real little grump at times with his little growls , he's just over 1 now and still does it occasionally , never with any signs of aggression its just as said already their way of saying just ***** off and leave me alone . We just ignore him and carry on whatever we were doing , regular handling etc is of massive importance and all part of that socialising / growing up experience and should never be backed away from

Thanks Dave . It's the only trait he seems to have that needs a strong firm (but gentle) approach. Will just keep on, keeping on. & keep you all updated.

Logan still does this. It's just him being a spoilt brat tbh

Nothing to be worried about, though I wouldn't hold him or restrain him if he is wriggling about etc. If you don't agree with his behaviour put him for a time out in the bedroom/bathroom for a minute or so.

MatLogan wrote:Logan still does this. It's just him being a spoilt brat tbh

Nothing to be worried about, though I wouldn't hold him or restrain him if he is wriggling about etc. If you don't agree with his behaviour put him for a time out in the bedroom/bathroom for a minute or so.

I've found something that's working a little better. I have covered my palms with a little butter, before lifting him. Now instead of growling, he's licking me to death lol!

He still had a brief moment earlier, but then thought about it... And started licking me.

Because he hasn't had his second jabs yet, I've not been allowing him on the grassed a area of my garden. So mainly that's why he gets grumpy. Cuz I lift him off. Can't wait till second jabs... Argh! Lol.

Dont be worried! He is just a puppy! Gwen growls all the time! Started growling at about 9 weeks old..she does it whenever we do something she doesnt want..for example she will start chewing on a pillow and i will say no and take it away from her and she will growl and bark! It is just them saying they are not happy with this as they are very stubborn and want to do what they want to do! It is in no way an aggressive thing! I think it is physically impossible for a puppy to be aggressive at 7 weeks old! No need to worry..as he grows up and with training it will stop!

CaraJeff11 wrote:Dont be worried! He is just a puppy! Gwen growls all the time! Started growling at about 9 weeks old..she does it whenever we do something she doesnt want..for example she will start chewing on a pillow and i will say no and take it away from her and she will growl and bark! It is just them saying they are not happy with this as they are very stubborn and want to do what they want to do! It is in no way an aggressive thing! I think it is physically impossible for a puppy to be aggressive at 7 weeks old! No need to worry..as he grows up and with training it will stop!

Another useful & comforting reply . Thank you ... I noticed earlier this morning that he did growl at me when I was holding him up out of fear. He happily let me pick him up, until I entered my bedroom (downstairs) its a room he had yet to go in. I could tell he was scared... So I just soothed "It's Ok," and smoothed his head. He did calm down, then I told him "Good boy." Then when he'd stopped I let him down, and he bolted out the room lol!

I'm starting to realise he does it for two reasons.

1. Fear of something new
2. Being a brat lol!

I'm trying not to tell him "No," but rather, "Don't," as I'd rather he knows I don't like the growling, but at the same time it's not 'wrong,' either. After all, I'd rather he warned... Than bite. He's never once bared his teeth, or tried to bite while growling. He tends to mix it up with crying & wriggling, but does calm down.

Here's hoping lol!