Always growling

[rockykamo]

Rocky will be 2 years old in September. He has always been easy to train and very well disciplined, but about 6 months ago, it was like a switch flipped inside him. I've heard about the "fear stages" and similar things, and I wonder if he may be going through one.

From the time he was a small pup, he was very well socialized, with daily trips to the park, and he never had a problem with other dogs or people. He was also leash trained and we never had problems in that area either. All of a sudden, he barks and growls at every small noise he hears. I can't even take him for walks myself, because if he sees someone he starts growling, barking, and pulling me towards them.

I know he's not truly being aggressive, because his tail wiggles the whole time he does this, and if someone does approach him in the right manner, he turns into his normal wiggly self. However, we live in an apartment complex, and not only is the constant barking an annoyance to our neighbors, but there are many who are giving him a reputation of a "mean dog." I mean, he even growls at small children!

I've tried a few different methods to show him I don't approve, from trying to turn his attention towards me instead, to even ending the walk as soon as he starts acting this way. Nothing seems to distract him though, once he's fixated on someone else.

I know he would never hurt a soul, but my neighbors don't understand, and turn the other way when they see us coming. What can I do??

 

[EAO76]

1st off I wouldn't say that your dog would never hurt anyone. If he is growling then he is uncomfortable, scared, anxious, frustrated or overly excited which all can lead to aggression. He is trying to communicate something to you. And a wagging tail doesn't always indicate friendliness. He is at the stage in his life that he is turing from an adolescent to an adult and its not uncommon for behaviorial issues to arise at this stage.

How much excersise does he get? Has be been neutered?

 

[sargboxerluv]

I agree with EAO76. Something is going on in your little boys head, and you have no idea what it is. You should never say to anyone your dog will not bite. This is actually something I have been working on with my kids. Boxers have a mean look, so most kids that have never seen our dog ask, "Does she bite?", to which my kids always say, "she never bites". So I always correct them and tell them, you say, "she is friendly."

It sounds to me as if he is at the stage where he is becoming protective, but he doesn't really know what to be leary of, so he warns you about everything. Does he only growl like this on your walks? Or does he growl at noises at home too?

Do you know if anyone has been mean to him? Or taunted him?