9 wk old puppy growling

[Roady's Mom]

HELP!!!!! My nine week old puppy has just startewd growling today! From the info I read (on the links) it appears to be "dominant" behavior. It definately seems to happen when he is looked directly in the eyes or you are face to face with him. From the top of the head, side of the head, he is fine. We was fine face to face until today, now that it has started it seems to happen every time. We have obviously stopped looking directly at him for now, are trying positive reinforcement, and will be calling our vet first thing in the morning for the name of a good behavioral specialist, but for now I am just worried about my new baby. Anyone have this happen to them?! Help please.

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

Sounds pretty normal actually! I would suggest a search on "growling" or "dominance" to reassure yourself. Pups play and make all kinds of fierce noises. I wouldn't worry about it too much yet

 

[cody&duke]

Don't worry about it yet, he is still a puppy. Duke still does it when he wants to play and he is 6 months old.

 

[Roady's Mom]

thanks from Roady's mommy

Thank you for your responses. I just worry, he is my first baby.

 

[mancin]

Maybe he just discovered growling and likes the way it sounds. Does he tense up when he's growling like he's uncomfortable, or is he wagging his little tail? You are obviously responding to the growling so I bet that's why he keeps doing it.

 

[myrocky]

Boxers are also very very vocal dogs. They "growl", "sigh", and "woowoo" a lot. Growling when they play and if you get two vocal ones together then the growling can get so loud! :p It's all normal. Also your puppy is just a wee baby. It takes boxers 3 years to reach their full adult size, so 9weeks is newborn stage.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Normal for a boxer pup. No need to worry. But I also suggest not staring wide-eyed into the dog's face and not getting your face too close to the dogs. Dogs need their personal space just like people do. Also, to a dog, a wide-eyed stare is confrontational. Not a good idea to give your dog that signal.

Good luck.

 

[Roady's Mom]

gratitude

Thank you all again...... I knew that you would have great advice! He definately seems tense when he growls and I truly think we may just be inadvertantly making him uncomfortable. Today he has been much better, when we get close and he doesn't growl we use a lot of positive reinforcement and it definately seems to have helped.

 

[LokiGem]

Awww, 9 weeks!! -That's my first thought, aww lil' pup...
Boxers are very vocally expressive dogs. Im sure there is no need to worry. Your baby is just finding his voice!
My baby is 2 years old now and his "voice" is quite something. He is the smooshiest, most lovey-dove dog ever, but he howls, growls, woowoos, and barks like a mad dog when he wants to play! He can even sound vicious!
It is harmless though. He's just a talker as our most boxers.
Good Luck...
Kim and (loud mouth) Loki