Hm.... Debo growled at me.

Right. I'm not sure what to thing about DEbo's behaviour. I took him for an evening walk today, he was fine ,listened when I called him, waited for me when asked. We were heading back home narrow path, when Debo spotted a dog on the lead. He waited for my command to stay. I put him on the lead because Debo is sometimes funny with little loud dog that he doesn't know. I moved away from the path so the couple with the dog could get through. As you might remember Debo is also funny when on the lead and meeting other dogs. So he was sitting nicely until they got even with us. Debo started to growled,his hair on the back stood up, I've pulled the lead. They went pass and DEbo turned his head with more growled. I took his collar to tell him off and he growled. He was looking at me. I didn't let go just to shoe him I'm noy affraid of him. I'm not sure if I did the right thing when he did that. When I finally let go, I asked him to sit and say sorry. We taught him to paw us to say sorry. And he did with tail wagging. I'm trying to think why he did that. Was he in the zone, so when I confront him he took it on me by mistake? But he should have done that ,right? I wasn't affraing just confused and shocked.

I think you did the right thng. I doubt very much if he actually intended to growl at you, but got caught up in the heat of the moment.

I really wouldn't worry about it! 

Thanks Caryll, I was hopping for your reply. You always makes me feel better. He's my baby and I do trust him and that was so not like him. My OH told to, for a few days, go back to basic with Debo.

Yes, don't forget he's probably in that 'teenage' stage!

If I panicked every time Dempsey's growled (not so much at me, but at other family members) I'd be in a constant state of nerves! 

Dogs have very few ways of communicating with us & one of those ways is by growling. Let's face it, dogs will growl when they play tug of war - and that's certainly not aggressive! It really depends on the circumstances & what his body language is at the time - especially if he lifts his lips & shows his teeth.

Well ,he's now 18mths old. He didn't show his teeth,when I grabed him by the collar he sat down.

It really sounds like just a 'reaction'. Nothing nasty or threatening.

Oh, and believe me - the teenage years can last almost as long as they do in human teenagers! 

Are you saying like forever??? 

Let's just say that Dempsey (at nearly 4 and a half years old) still hs his moments! 

Wow, and I want another one . I must be crazy>

Caryll is the very best person to advise about training!

All I will say Jola is that I think you have done (and are doing) wonderfully well with Debo.

My Kuchar is now 20 months old and whenever he spots a dog whether on lead or off, he certainly would not wait for my command to Stay. He doesn't even hear anything I say, he just charges off to play with the dog - which is why he is still on a long lead!

So I congratulate you on the level of obedience you have already achieved with Debo.

The mistake I always make is that I think that behaviour is changed after I correct my dog once. It takes practice and consistency over - I give myself - a two week period to see real change. We must unconsciously give so many mixed signals to dogs. It must be confusing.

Thanks Lynda. That's why I always listen to Caryll.

It sounds like he was just having a grumble at the dog and you just happened to be there. I wouln't worry to much about it I'm sure he wasn't grumbling at you.

Do you do any general training with Debo each day, just to keep him refreshed on his manners. Maybe an idea to try this if not.

It sounds like you have it all under control and did the right thing. Sounds like he just got caught up in the moment- typical staffy lol xx
I wouldn't worry too much.

Thanks guys. He's really soft dog, as Staffy should be:x .

My old lab always growled at things mostly me, but i think he was doing it in a "your my pack why are you not growling with me!!!" lol

Sounds like you have marvellous control over him   wish mine were half as good! it's easy though to worry isn't over anything and everything