Grumbling vs Growling

[WiscRottie]

This is a great site, and I'm sure all of our questions are in the archives, but I think it's a lot more interesting to talk to you...not just read.
We (our 21 year-old son) has a 8 month female rottie. Very well trained, very socialized. "Bruiser" (not a fitting name, but that's a long story) gets along great with people, and is probably the best dog I've ever known.
Now that I've bragged, there are some issues. She's started to growl (or grumble) when our 12 year old is petting her. No teeth, just low sound. (He's done dominance on her, but not regularly.) She's also done it with another boy, about the same age, although she knows them both well.
The training she's had has been basic dog schooling, and we're wondering if anyone recommends training that's rottie-specific.
(I've seen some Wisconsin owners on this site, so if you know of anyone in southeast WI, that would be great).
Thanks!

[marianne]

You do have some very good training clubs in your area! The Cudahy Kennel club has many classes. I also have a site with Rottie training. The Wisc Rottweiler Fanciers do alot of different working class training. I'll find the addy's and post them.
A talker.....I've had a talker. Oh that low grumbling meant he was happy!!
Welcome aboard! Hope to see you at next years Rott-Stock Wisc style!!!

[WiscRottie]

Thanks Marianne. That helps a lot!

[Jamie & Odin]

Hey WiscRottie welcome aboard:D Oh, and listen to marianne, she has wonderful dogs and can point you in the right direction.

Can you explain more about your son having "done dominance" on your girl? I'm just curious what you mean specifically.

I take a dominant role with my dog, but it is all the time. I am the dominant member of our little pack. It is a whole way of behaving with the dog.

Anyway, sounds like your family enjoys your girl, she's just beginning to come into her own, so expect some challenges;) Good luck!

[WiscRottie]

Thanks for the note.
To establish (and affirm) our dominant position, she's rolled onto her back and gently held by the front scruff of her neck while making firm eye contact until she looks away. It doesn't harm or hurt (either dog or owner!).
Joe

[Roscoe's dad]

If the nub is wagging, and she lets out a grumble/growl she is talking to you. If the nub is not wagging you may have some issues. don't forget about Wisconsin RottStock next year.;) another Wisconsinite! go Cowboys!:D

[WiscRottie]

Thank u sooo much 4 the advice & what is RottStock?

[Judi W]

I would offer a caution. The fact that she is growling at what she probably considers "lesser" people (12 year old children do not have much status) might indicate that she is flexing her muscles a bit. She is a quite a ways away from being finished with training as she has puppy training, but needs it to continue as she is becoming an adult and is going through mental changes. She is likely testing the waters in social climbing and starting at the bottom in hopes of moving up some rungs. Please consider that she just might very well be telling them what they can presume to do where she (the newly appointed princess in waiting) is concerned.

I'm not big on artificial displays of dominance/submission but they don't usually do any harm. Just that I don't believe they particularly do that much good either. I'd pop her back into dog school for another year or so. Nothing like some formal training to help the dog learn its status in life.

Please do not assume that because a dog is generally good with people the growling is not an implied threat or at the very least back talk. Either one, she's out of line.

[Roscoe's dad]

Let me add, if the nub is in the air pointing up and wagging, shes happy, if it down low and moving back and forth slowly, she may not be showing affection.

[WiscRottie]

Thanks 4 the replay!

[WiscRottie]

What do u do if the nub isnt affection?

[Judi W]

OK, I'll play. Horizontal is friendly/neutral, lowered is usually submissive, and erect is often (usually) dominating. And yes, dominant dogs are often very happy - what's not to be happy? Of course, :D with a tail that is docked very short and depending upon the tail set, you just might not have tail position to write you a letter.

There, now are you thoroughly confused????? Ah well, now that you're going on after a CD at the very least, I'm not going to worry about you a bunch. When she gets cheeky, leash, collar and a bit of work will take her mind off of whatever she thought she was doing with the grumbling.

[MrsBoats]

Sam is a huge talker, he growls, grumbles, rumbles, wooo's, and barks at us. I seriously think he has his own little language. Mr. Boats and I would love to know what he's trying to say to us. We have learned what is play and what is business. Like everyone said here, body language will tell you loads about the dogs emotions.

Sam would only do the "rottie rumble" every once in a blue moon up until recently. Now he does it at a drop of a hat, we just have to touch him and he rumbles. His body language for rumbling it sticking his nose straight up in the air, rest his head on you with his eyes half shut to shut and starts rumbling away. It sounds like a lion's purr. He inhales and then the rumble comes as he exhales. It's pretty un-nerving when you hear it and don't know what it is.

[italy]

I have yet to meet a grumbler!! :(

Neither of my rotties do it either........i'm starting to feel left out!! :)

[RottieGirl86]

When Sasha ( our late Rott) , she was 8 at the time, moved in with us, I was petting her outside. I knew nothing about the breed. She started to growl! I ran inside and talked to my Brother ( I was freaked out!) it was his dog and he told me that it meant she was happy!

It is soo cute how vocal she was about loving ot be pet, hit the right spot, usually her belly and bam! rrrrrrrrrr! purring like a kitty. A very low grutteral sound thta can easily be mistaken as a growl.

My lil rott, Athena, is very vocal. She barks and yips, but no true grumbles yet like Sasha. I hope she does, as I found it rather endearing :)