puppy growling

I'm quite concerned with my boys growling. He's 10 weeks old. He growls if you move him with this collar and earlier he had a chew and I stroked him on his head and growled really bad. I'm concerned as I have 2 children in the house

I see you have posted about this before since having him, really believe me it isnt any sign of aggression he is too young. He is probably feeling a little insecure and testing you. You have to be firm with a dominant, but not loud no or enough. He also obviously isnt being taken out for a little exercise yet and could be a little bored. Do you play any toys with him? He will also pick up on you if your a little nervous in any way. Just stay firm and consistent and stick to a routine.It will improve with your guidance as his owner.

When he growls tell him no and I put him in his cage for a time out. It concerns me as it seems a nasty growl.

I wouldn't put him in his crate as punishment as it's meant to be his safe place, for sleeping etc

stacey-roo69 wrote:When he growls tell him no and I put him in his cage for a time out. It concerns me as it seems a nasty growl.

He is most likely settling in to his new home. At that age it is definately not aggression. A firm no should work. I would also avoid using the crate as a punishment.

A growl doesn't always mean aggression so you shouldn't be punishing it. It is communication. What is his personality type? How does he react to new situation? Confident/bold/pushy or shy/unsure?

He's only 10 weeks old so hhasnt really been out but he seems quite a confident pup. Hes really inquisitive

Okay, I would start socialising him ASAP, the window for new experiences is so small, you only have until 14 weeks to get in positive interactions with lots of people/animals/places to shape him for older life. Of course, you can continue to socialise after that period, but this is a key time for learning. As long as he's had his first vaccination you can allow in house meetings with people/fully vaccinated dogs and carry him to other places. Even just taking him out in the car. Build his experiences with him seeing you as a leader. Are you grabbing his collar to move him? If so, stop doing that. Call him to you using commands instead. Start trading high value treats for any chews that he has to create a positive experience around food.

He is being socialised, he sees various people and he is meeting my friends dogs and my mums dog, he also has my other dog to play with. It does tend me to more the touching of his collar that makes him growl and It does seem a nasty growl, if you don't let go he gets really bad but then I don't want to let him go till he calms down else he will think he has won and will keep doing it?

Hm, okay. Without seeing him it's hard to tell, but growling is a dogs way of communicating you that they're feeling uncomfortable - whether that is due to fear, anger, pain - they're trying to let you know. What are his ears/eyes/tail doing when he's growling at you? If you know that he doesn't like you touching/grabbing his collar, why continue to do it? He's not winning anything really. I'd recommend some shaping exercises, try feeding him tasty treats while stroking him in that area, gradually progress to touching his collar, putting more pressure on the collar/putting a finger under the collar etc. Don't rush - this could take weeks. But this is a very delicate and vital time in a dogs life, so tread carefully. Did you meet his parents?

Very strange that a young dog would growl aggressively unless it was ill, but of course yours isn't or you would have mentioned it. Can you post a video of him doing it?