my dog killed all my ducklings, and a guinea today

[drumstick diva]

Grumpy I can agree with you that people don' always knows what a dog is trying to communicate and in some breeds they may growl and not mean an attack. I've never owned those breeds. But I have seen plenty of dogs(various breeds) get mean and snappy when allowed to play tug of war. It escalates quickly and maybe the dog thinks its a game in the beginning but, it comes to be a contest of strength. Alot of dogs get very heated up over games like that - I consider it teasing. They can get so carried away that they snap or bite without thinking.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:

Yah, I’ve hear the before. Even had I vet tell my wife and I we couldn’t let our dog’s look us I the eye. Well I’m here to tell you it's BS. Every dog I’ve ever had play growled (growled while playing ruff). Both of our Rotties growl. Its call communicating. They weren’t mad or aggressive when ding it. In fact the one we have now will growl what I come home from work and hug him. He’ll growl and kiss me and growl some more. It’s his way of talking to me. He has never ever shown ANY aggression toward me, my wife, daughter or grand kids. He’ll play tug with a towel or rope with the kids or me and growls the whole time. Any one of us can stick our finger(s) or hand in his mouth while he’s doing it and he won’t even make a mark.

To many people don’t know how to read a dogs demeanor and believe ANY growl means aggression. Too many people say, if it growls you have a problem.

Not always the case.

That's it!!

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:

Took me a few minutes to figure out what PICKY meant!!! LMAO!!

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Quote:
"To many people don’t know how to read a dogs demeanor and believe ANY growl means aggression."

Yes, SOME of those little yappy breeds tend to get rowdy and snappy. I’ve raised several larger breeds over the last 50 + years. Never had one with a temperament problem. My mom had Pekinese. Snappy little Bastics. And they wouldn’t growl first. Just GOT YA!

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

my dogs love tug of war - (these pics are about 3-3.5 yrs old but only ones on this computer

)

The Kid and her mutt puppy (Gypsy is about 7 months old in these pics I think) - people suggest ' oh don't do this or that' - they will think they own you - no its all about repeat repeat repeat - reprimand/praise continously - be firm but not harsh - be assertive - never meek and always in a tone of voice that suggests you mean business and will follow through on punishments - works wonders for my dogs.

- as you can see this one is spoiled

so viscious - lol. this is the crazy dog that climbed a tree and jumped out of it (about 12 ft) and shattered her front leg (later after these pics) *sigh* nutty dog who thinks she's more cat and kangaroo than dog.

ETA: this dog gypsy (chow/shep mix) is very barky - but will growl when playing tug of war and 'tag' with my daughter. My pit/lab mix is exceptionally growly and talkative - especially when playing and training exercises - she sounds absolutely viscious, will even throw her lips back, and do the 'snarl' - but she does it cause she's gotten hyped - its a DOG BEHAVIOR - wolves do the same things. Its all about knowing your dogs. I am friends with the 'city animal control officer' - he is not with the county/state ran animal control - he is with the actual police department - has full police powers + animal control powers.

He's my man, but he's used to my dogs and all - and when I was staying in town for a few months he came on call when my pit/lab was attacked - and she ran do the door all growly and booming woofs - and the other officer grabs her mace - cause well my dog is bleeding profusely from the neck with a heavy makeshift bandage on it at the moment - and has slober all over her- looks rabid even - lol. But the main officer just shakes his head at her and tells the woman officer to stay outside - goes right in and pets Naomi and looks her over while she's doing the whiney fussing growls she does. He knew the dog and trusted her and he had only met her a few times on her escape escapades in her younger years - but he could read her body language as well has her vocals + having met the dog before.

Every dog is different, and LGD are quite different in mentality than most other dogs - just like herders have a completely different way of needing to be directive training than a guarding or sporting breed IMO.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Then I'm thinking YOU are the one that doesn't know how to read the dog and know when to quit. I've had nothing but LARGE dogs over the past 30+ years, huskies, GSD mixes, rottie mixes, labs and a wolfdog... ALL growled at me in various forms and phases and types of play... NONE ever got carried away enough to bite.

 

[lauraleigh]

There's a great website and forum on livestock guardian dogs that may have information you are looking for. Check them out at lgd.org. Some great information there, and very responsive forum. Hope it's helpful.
LauraLeigh

 

[redhen]

Quote:

Yah, I’ve hear the before. Even had I vet tell my wife and I we couldn’t let our dog’s look us I the eye. Well I’m here to tell you it's BS. Every dog I’ve ever had play growled (growled while playing ruff). Both of our Rotties growl. Its call communicating. They weren’t mad or aggressive when ding it. In fact the one we have now will growl what I come home from work and hug him. He’ll growl and kiss me and growl some more. It’s his way of talking to me. He has never ever shown ANY aggression toward me, my wife, daughter or grand kids. He’ll play tug with a towel or rope with the kids or me and growls the whole time. Any one of us can stick our finger(s) or hand in his mouth while he’s doing it and he won’t even make a mark.

To many people don’t know how to read a dogs demeanor and believe ANY growl means aggression. Too many people say, if it growls you have a problem.

Not always the case.

A "talking" growl is fine... My saint does it to me too... Shes TALKING to me...
Any idiot should know the difference. OR they should NOT even have a dog.

When i say "growl" i mean just what i said... and you know that.

That dog CHALLENGED her for that keet or duckling... It WASNT PLAYING with her...

(dont you get that, or what??)
Sorry.. my dog will never challenge me for anything... the day they do..they are GONE... and put down by the vet.
I dont play around with dog disrespect and agression..
Thats the problem... idiots say.."Ooh.. Fidos just in a bad mood today.... He dosent want to share his toy. But isnt he adorable??!!!. " And then 6 months later.. "GASP!.... I cant believe Fido bit our granddaughter!! There were NO warning signs at all!!.." Idiots...

And they cover up what their dog is REALLY SAYING TO THEM. They have no clue...
Never ever will i tolerate it in my dogs. There is no need for it at all... and a dog that is trained properly and that TRULY RESPECTS you will NOT challenge you. Period.
So.. you raise your dogs how you want.... and i'll keep my dogs that know THEIR PLACE in my pack.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Redhen, I agree with LOTS that you say on here, but in this one I have to disagree... it wasn't just one person trying to take something from the dog, it was a FLOCK of people and a whack on the nose... there WAS no pack leadership in the dog's mind because of TOO MANY people...

I think he growled mainly because myself, my husband, my son, my father in law and his 2 dachsunds converged on him to try and take the guinea out of his mouth, and my husband and I also spanked him, ( not hard, a bop on the nose) which we should not have done because to him I think it was just a bird he found outside wandering in the garden and he took care of it, so he was probably scared of everyone coming at him shouting at him - when I say he growled - he didn't really growl at me or bare his teeth, he just sort of growled quietly when I spanked him.

One growl does NOT make a bad dog.

27 years ago I had a wolfdog pup when they were still legal here in Alaska. He was 90 lbs at 6 months old and previously I'd never had a problem with him. I went to take a bone from him that I deemed too small and he snarled, barked and bit. In that split second I had him down, ear and muzzle bit by me and him whimpering submission. It was the ONLY time I ever had to do it to him, he never challenged me or me taking anything from him again. If a wolfdog can learn, so can a dog.


ETA: I DO agree with you on the idiots that DO NOT SEE IT in their dogs. They are also the ones that don't try and CHANGE that dog, as I did.​

 

[redhen]

Quote:
One growl does NOT make a bad dog.

27 years ago I had a wolfdog pup when they were still legal here in Alaska. He was 90 lbs at 6 months old and previously I'd never had a problem with him. I went to take a bone from him that I deemed too small and he snarled, barked and bit. In that split second I had him down, ear and muzzle bit by me and him whimpering submission. It was the ONLY time I ever had to do it to him, he never challenged me or me taking anything from him again. If a wolfdog can learn, so can a dog.


ETA: I DO agree with you on the idiots that DO NOT SEE IT in their dogs. They are also the ones that don't try and CHANGE that dog, as I did.

I DO agree with you on most of this...
One growl does NOT make a bad dog..agreed.
Actually..i dont think there are any bad dogs.. just bad owners. And bad genetics. (sometimes).
Dogs are animals..its not their fault. They ONLY know instinct and what we teach them....
I also agree about too many people coming at the dog at once.... BUT... still... i'm sure the dog KNEW everyone that was coming at him.... so... still NOT a good thing for the dog to be growling.
ALso... i noticed the OP said she spanked her dog.... now i'm no tree hugger... but... ... Hitting a dog will only make them AFRAID of you..... and yeah.. you WILL get growled at.... and someday maybe bitten. You're going to get a fear reaction out of them....
I dont hit my dogs... i think its asking for trouble, and not really fair to the dog. (they dont understand what they did wrong.....)
Actually.. the more i think of it... the dog probably growled in a fear response.... just my humble opinion, as usual...

(also wanted to add.. hitting a dog is VERY different then making them submit,.... )
*just wanted to add.. to the OP... NO.... i dont think that you BEAT your dog..LOL....thats not what i'm saying at ALL*