StOp growling

so we took Marley to meet a family members lab today 4 years old Ben great with other dogs and kids, Marley was timid at first but then came around and wanted to play with Ben, only thing it Marley got very growly towards him which I didn't like, and it didn't seem like play to me anyone know how to stop this?

Can seem quite scary wont be aggression at this age

When my partner took him bk in to the house on the lead, he said Marley was jumping at him growling?

Marley has most likely thought you're o.h was playing in some way even our actions sometimes can be perceived sometimes as play to a puppy . if he goes up to a dog and it seems things appear out of hand the other dog if its older will let marley know when enough is enough if marley instigates and seems too rough may be time to say enough and intervene

Yh Ben was fine when he had enough he left but Marley kept doing it till he was put on the lead as long as it's not aggression! I panic to see lol

Hi Emma, it just sounds like excitement to me, Marley will grow out of it in time.

I hope so didn't like my partners mam thinking he would be aggressive! He needs more interaction with dogs I think but thanx for the comments both

Its puppiness just needs to be corrected

Here is a link on body language that will help

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

Thank you I'll have a look if it was aggression I definitely want to correct it!

What was the lab doing at the time?

Just stood there then he kept removing himself think Marley got on his nerves abit lol at first Ben bounced around because he wanted to play with Marley but he was too frightened,bhe came around then started jumping up barking and growling at Ben? I read the link and I still ain't sure wether it was play or not? It's hard to tell...

Growling is just communication really - it's often seen as a negative thing - but it sounds to me that he was uncomfortable and trying to communicate that. If he was too frightened to play initially it sounds like a fear reaction - where as perhaps some dogs would use the flight response, it sounds like either he was pushed too far and reacted, or this is just how he reacts to fear.

How old is he now? How much interaction with other dogs has he had?

Yh he was scared at first seen his back hair stand on end to? Um well off lead only Ben really but on walks daily! Never had the chance to play with one yet tho other than Ben

And he's 13 weeks now

socialising haley to as many dogs as possible is very important, also anything that may make an unusual noise and any horses cows sheep etc where possible

That's probably just adrenaline (his hackles raising). It sounds like it was all a bit daunting to him - labs are pretty big dogs. Maybe next time you allow him to meet a dog off lead let him walk on lead and parallel for 15 minutes or so first for him to get used to them and know they're not a threat. It's really important that he has positive meetings with dog whilst his still in his socialisation phase. Quality over quantity

Yh well we did come across a man the other day who was walking about 6 dogs off the lead and I walked with him for abit talking but Marley was still abit scared kept stopping, but I'll keep at it and yes bens massive thanx for the comments

Took Marley out again today with Ben, let him off the lead in the house and him and Ben played great together no growling or jumping up took them both out up the field then which is open so thought we would try Marley of the lead (was a little scared) but he was brill didn run off at all and came to me everytime I called him was a much better day with them both really happy with how well behaved Marley was

Well done marley u gorgeous pup

He did do so well honestly thought he would just run off but he didn't just ran back and forth lol he's been sleeping flat out nw since 11.30

Ah good lad

My Flo's hackles will go up sometimes and she will growl and show teeth too but it's excitement rather than aggression. With aggression you'll get the stance and it will be very obvious Emma.

well done Marley -haven't let Buddy off the lead yet with another dog when out as all our parks are by main roads and he has no road sense yet - but he played happily with GSD at the kennels in their pound so I am hoping he will be ok - he loves his long line .. puppy classes tomorrow ... means he will be car sick again but...

Yah ian I read the link so think the first time Marley met Ben is was just over excited, but he had such a great day with him today considering bens huge this was my first time outside carol to let him off the lead and play, I was worried that he might run off or not listen to me because of how many of us there was but he was great kept his eye on me and came everytime my partner also let him off the lead yesterday in a big open field and he did spot girls quite far away but when called he came straight bk, ooo I hope the classes go well Marley is still sick in the car sometimes mostly when he's in there for over half hour

My Gizmo's play growl is extremely daunting to the uninitiated. He sounds like a cross between Sid James and Ray Winstone. The first time I heard it I realised i was going to spend the next however many years saying 'he's friendly, honest!"

On the list of socialisation things, I'd add get him used to building sites and people up ladders...and sitting on steps up high. oh, and people lying on the ground fixing cars. Next door's had some work done and he barked furiously at all the builders.

Haha does he lol, Marley growls then goes into a talking spasm haha funny tho very vocal dogs aren't they ahh yah that's a thought he's never been around work men etc will do that next I think thanx

One thing mias always hated is the hoover maybe because its never off yet she doesnt mind my washing machine

Marley hates the Hoover to and the hair dryer always try's to beat it up when I'm drying my hair till I get the brush out then he's begging to get brushed haha

buddy barks at my hubby to play it really sound as if he is saying "have it" when he does.. he snorts and snuffles all the time so funny to listen to