growling at me

[leighann]

I just brought home my first boxer puppy, and everything is going well, except when i let him outside to play or to use the bathroom, and i am ready to go back in, when I pick him up, he growls, something awful and it is scary, he gets like right into your face and i am so afraid he is going to bite me. He does this to every one else here too. He does the pants leg and bits him if you try to pet him. He does not let you get your hands near him if he is awake. I have read this part on the other posts that is why i am not going just off of this. It is really the growling that is scary. Is this normal, I figure he is probably just mad, and isn't ready to go into the house yet, am I right? What other suggestions do you guys have? Other than this he is great. Loves to play, goes to the bathroom outside, as long as I catch him in time.LOL And sleeps almost all night. I am trying to get my appt set up for his training. So Hopefully that helps a little

 

[Rolos]

Patton used to do this as well when we would play with him. but now i have to get him really wound up for him to start. Im not sure but i think them growling while playing as pups is quite normal. but I could be wrong.

 

[Jan]

Is it possible that picking him up is causing pain for some reason? I would have your vet thoroughly check him out and make sure that nothing is wrong. In the meantime, I wouldn't let him out without a leash on. Then you can just lead him inside and won't have to pick him up. Also try luring him in with treats or toys. It's possible that you have a very bossy puppy on your hands. Nothing is for free, make him work for everything. Sit for dinner, sit for pats, sit to go outside. He needs to know that you are the leader, not him and that you control the resources.

If you haven't signed him up for puppy classes yet, I would as soon as possible.

Good luck!

 

[rubyred]

when i first had my female puppy she used to growl at me when she was in the grden playing, every time i went to pick her up or stop her from playing she used to growl. When she went to the vets i mentioned it to her and she said it is very common in puppies because they want to be top dog hence pecking order.
I also checked with my breeder and she agreed totally with the vet saying boxers do what they want when they want or so they like you to believe ,
I was advised to stop her in mid play and if she growled to tell her off, within a a few weeks she no longer growled still didnt come when i called her .
She is nearly 12 months now and has such a beautiful nature so please dont think cos she growls she will grow up nasty, shes just trying to be in charge of you.

 

[tucksmom]

I've been going through the same thing with my puppy. I recently went to the vet, who raised boxers, and he reassured me that he was normal...just trying to find his place in the pecking order. He said that it is important, like the moderator said, to make him work for things so he learns that you are boss. I'm still a little freaked out by the whole thing, but I'm hoping that everything I'm hearing is true. It was also suggested that we start puppy K ASAP, which we intend to do. I know I simply repeated things already written, but I wanted to assure you you're not alone