[Eros]

My 14 week puppy was like this since I got her at 9 weeks. The first time it occurred, I was training her Free, which is the word I use to release her from sit. I had her on a leash, said Free, and gave her a little tug. She ran to me, growling and jumping. This worried me a little because there was no reason for her to growl, so I asked her trainer why she does this. My trainer said rotties are talkative dogs and her growling during training was probably just that, talking.

To this day, when she brings a tennis ball back to me, and I proceed to take it from her, she'll growl. Once she lets go, the growling will stop. I tell her to sit, and she'll be ready for the next toss. Sometimes, after she sits, I pet her, and she'll lick my hand. So, the growling never showed aggression, she was just talkative and excited about her ball.

Also, although she does growl at home, she's never growled at strangers. In fact, she's always happy to see someone new. She'll lick their hands, and wag that little knob of hers.