puppy growls

[My Teddy Bear]

I have an 11 week old male rottie (Nikko). I am a little concerned because he growls sometimes at me and my daughter if we pick him up. Today he had his nylabone and I was kissing his head and he started growling at me. Is this normal puppy growling or do I have a problem?

[Judi W]

Is he disabled and is that why you are picking him up?

I would suggest that you work on him with his toys without putting your face in his face. There are better ways to teach him tolerance. Get a toy that the two of you can play fetch with which is a cooperative venture. If you are giving him something to really have a chew with, allow him some time to enjoy it, and then call him for another game or to go for a walk. He is warning you of things he finds distasteful. While you do not want him to be all guardy over things, you must also teach him with respect. Teach him that there are other things to do with you, and I would suggest that you also find other things to do with him that are not treating him like a human baby (carrying, kissing). Teach him that coming to you for a game is a really good thing. Going for walks is an even better thing. Offer him an alternative to what he has or is doing, but make it a positive alternative.

[RottiMomCT]

Why do you pick him up? Just curious. I know an 11 week old pup is cute, and picking them up is sometimes irresistable, but unless the pup is in danger, there's really no need ot pick 'em up and carry 'em around...

[My Teddy Bear]

wow I guess I didn't realize what I was doing. He really doesnt need to be picked up I just love to cuddle with him. I just lost my 10 year old male 3 weeks ago and my 10 yr old female was just diagnosed with bone cancer 2 weeks ago. Its been pretty tough. Thanks for making me realize what I was doing I'm probably bugging him and he is trying to tellme to knock it off!!! THANKS

[RottiMomCT]

Cuddling is fine...but if he protests when you pick him up, don't do it. I cuddle with my big rott'n boys all the time (85 & 90 pounds).

As for kissing him on the head when he's chewing a bone - are you crazy? Brave definitely - those puppy teeth are SHARP!

Call him to you if you want to kiss him...let him chew his bones in peace...its like a human kissing you when you are trying to eat dinner...not fun, is it?

[Judi W]

Thank you for realizing that this is a dog, and a Rottweiler, and in spite of your sig name, not - not a teddybear. When you are overwhelmed with a desire to hug or cuddle something, grab a stuffed animal, a pillow, or hug your daughter. Even baby puppies have a sense of self and dignity and they need time to learn (although many will never welcome) human signs of affection which are not signs of affection as far as the dog world is concerned. Just like dating - expressions of affection need to be something welcomed by the recipient!

[My Teddy Bear]

My sign on name is Teddy Bear because my deceased dog name was Teddy. I also disagree on some things. Dogs do need to feel loved and if you leave them alone and show no affection what kind of dog will you have? Teddy was never vicious neither is my female and I always show them affection. I think you are right on the picking up thing but dogs need love and limited spoiling.

[Judi W]

I didn't say they don't need love. You misread me entirely. I said that showing affection should be something the dog understands as affection. He will learn what your intentions are over time, but he doesn't understand that instinctually as that kind of display is not affection in the dog world. As long as the two of you work things out to understand each other, but do so with some understanding of dog body language and communications. They are quite adaptable, but some accept better than others.

[Barnies Girl]

We let our puppy come to us when she wants a cuddle and more often than not, she will come. If not, we leave her alone until she is ready. with regards to picking up a puppy, we do this to get her into the car and she hates it, so I have had to order her a ramp. I hear this is a breed that don't really like it.

[yogi53]

I had a 11 year old female I lost almost a year ago...she loved to be loved from the second I brought her home at 8 weeks old....liked to sleep with me, like to be petted the whole nine yards....she was a wonderful companion he whole life and taught many things.....I have a 7 month old young adult right now (female) - she is extremely different...she growled at me when she was very little when she would fall asleep and I would try to move her...she did not like to be pet alot...at first I felt like I bought a pup who was very independent and did not need me....through a lot of reading and support fromt his forum I can to realize just what JudiW stated....some dogs (pups) don;t like all that petting and carrying on...my girl has figured out that I (not her) needs to snuggle with her every now and again and she trusts me and knows what I am all about as a matter of fact she now follows me EVERYWHERE I go, bathroom included and I thought she was going to be Mrs. Independent!

[Judi W]

Your dog learned that in order to accomodate your needs, but not because it met any of his needs or preferences. Just another testament of how very accomodating they can be.

[yogi53]

I agree with you 100 percent - but I never knew it before I lived it so I can see how OP doesn;t "understand" her pup.

[hmeadq]

Originally Posted by Barnies Girl

We let our puppy come to us when she wants a cuddle and more often than not, she will come. If not, we leave her alone until she is ready. with regards to picking up a puppy, we do this to get her into the car and she hates it, so I have had to order her a ramp. I hear this is a breed that don't really like it.

I might take exception with this. I never give affection (well hardly ever) when Doc comes over and demands it. We call him to us regularly for pets, butt scratchs, and cuddles. Although he really don't like the cuddling, he does like laying right next to us when he is chewing. But he has NEVER expressed aggression over an item...

Basically remember affection is a powerful tool, and if your dog thinks it can demand it it may be thinking other things as well...

[Judi W]

Regarding body language. I tend to believe that our dogs do so much to adapt to living with us. They learn not to potty, even though they want to, until they are outdoors. They learn not to chew on the very available furniture although their teeth are popping out and their gums needs massaging. They learn to walk nicely on a leash even though they would much rather frolic freely in the wind. They learn not to play tug with people's hands even though they flap with great temptation.

I am in awe of the lengths they go to in order to please and adjust to living with another species (the human critters) even though much of what is asked of them is beyond their understanding.

On our part, I don't think it should be such a burden to respect some of their species preferences. It is not the dog that wants "hugs" and actual "kisses". They would much prefer a nice scratch behind the ear, a friendly pat, the words "good dog" and a walk. Some submit to this in addition to all the other requirements of their humans fairly gracefully. Others object. I believe that they are entitled to a certain amount of respect for who they are and that affection should be something pleasurable to both parties otherwise it is not affection, but a needless imposition that serves no purpose or benefit to the dog.