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Chip's Mom · **Growling Pup -** 02-03-2007, 02:11 PM

I just had to share that Little Dale is a growler when he doesn't get his own way. Although it is less and less frequent all the time. When I first got him if I picked him up to take him outside he would growl. If I picked him up to bring him inside and he didn't want to come, he would growl. If I reached for a toy or a treat, sometimes he would growl. I just gave him his bath and toweled him dry (he doesn't like it yet) so he growled. His growling antics are getting shorter and further between all the time but every time he does it, I think of all the threads and discussions we have had on here about puppies and the growling. Normally, I just ignore him and keep doing what I want him to do or if he gets carried away with himself, I will hold the top of his jaw Like Chip does and he stops the little tantrum.

I am either niave or this is just a little puppy trying to get his own way in typical puppy fashion. He is a sweet little fella.

It is so much easier the second time around.

Checkers · 02-03-2007, 04:41 PM

I think that it is getting less frequent is a good indication that what you are doing is working. Prolly he's just showing his displeasure in the best way he knows how... as he gets older I think he'll learn other, more appropriate, methods to show displeasure.

Louwants · 02-03-2007, 05:07 PM

Duncan is a growley grumbler,as I call it, even when petting him or scratching his nubbin. It isn't a nasty growl, just like a content growl.

But, he does try and growl when Chloe gets up beside us while I'm petting him. I usually tell him to knock it off, and he stops.

Jespah · 02-03-2007, 05:19 PM

Corgis can be chatty and growling is a way of communicating. He's testing you to see what he can get away with and telling you he's not thrilled with what's happening.

Rupe has a whole growly game we play - I say give me some love and he gives me a low growl - I get close and ask for kisses and he gets noisier and louder until I tickle him and it sounds like he's seriously going to hurt me - but it's just a game. If I stop, he pushes into me for more! Boys!!

ZdogZ · 02-03-2007, 05:35 PM

I've never had a dog that makes so many different noises as Zia does. She also does a low growl, but only when she's playing.

Chip's Mom · 02-03-2007, 05:41 PM

Dale loses his temper once in awhile and I think it was because he was in with tuff stuff and used to get thumped by him so he learned to growl. He isn't aggressive - just vocalizes his displeasure and it is getting less and less all the time.

Cheyenne60041 · 02-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

I just had to share that Little Dale is a growler when he doesn't get his own way. Although it is less and less frequent all the time. When I first got him if I picked him up to take him outside he would growl. If I picked him up to bring him inside and he didn't want to come, he would growl. If I reached for a toy or a treat, sometimes he would growl. I just gave him his bath and toweled him dry (he doesn't like it yet) so he growled. His growling antics are getting shorter and further between all the time but every time he does it, I think of all the threads and discussions we have had on here about puppies and the growling. Normally, I just ignore him and keep doing what I want him to do or if he gets carried away with himself, I will hold the top of his jaw Like Chip does and he stops the little tantrum.

I am either niave or this is just a little puppy trying to get his own way in typical puppy fashion. He is a sweet little fella.

It is so much easier the second time around.

When I just got Lola from the breeder, she was just this little vicious ball of fur and would bite anyone except children, who would pick her up or go near her. I have tried everything to break her out of the habit; spraing water, saying bad dog, gently smacking her on the nose, etc., but to no avail. Then one time when Lord was in the dogrun playing with his friends and Lola chasing all his friends away from him even though she herself didn't want to play with them I went in and picked up which means that Lola promtly bit my hand. As cute as she was I personally had enough of being bit. I picked her up by the scruff of her neck and was just holding her up in the air while she was trying to twist her neck and sink those sharp little puppy teeth in to my hand. After a while she gave up and started crying. Now I know that holding puppies by the scruff of their necks doesn't hurt them, but I didn't know much about corgis and she was so tiny that I thought {ok maybe I am hurting her} and put her down. After which she immediatly turned around and bit me. I picked her up again and this time would not let her go for anything for like half an hour or so (my arm was ready to fall off). After Lola finally figured out that I am not falling for tricks again she calmed down. I put her down and I am happy to say that we never had this issue again.

manymuddypaws · 02-03-2007, 10:26 PM

you must be joking- there are far better ways to deal with a puppy who is biting. Keep in mind that it was you who said you like your little "Viciousness"
Regardless that is no way to treat a dog- especially one WHO DOES NOT KNOW BETTER AND HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BITE IN THE FIRST PLACE! I cannot even express how frustrating you are- you should really stop telling stories like this.....
-amanda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheyenne60041

When I just got Lola from the breeder, she was just this little vicious ball of fur and would bite anyone except children, who would pick her up or go near her. I have tried everything to break her out of the habit; spraing water, saying bad dog, gently smacking her on the nose, etc., but to no avail. Then one time when Lord was in the dogrun playing with his friends and Lola chasing all his friends away from him even though she herself didn't want to play with them I went in and picked up which means that Lola promtly bit my hand. As cute as she was I personally had enough of being bit. I picked her up by the scruff of her neck and was just holding her up in the air while she was trying to twist her neck and sink those sharp little puppy teeth in to my hand. After a while she gave up and started crying. Now I know that holding puppies by the scruff of their necks doesn't hurt them, but I didn't know much about corgis and she was so tiny that I thought {ok maybe I am hurting her} and put her down. After which she immediatly turned around and bit me. I picked her up again and this time would not let her go for anything for like half an hour or so (my arm was ready to fall off). After Lola finally figured out that I am not falling for tricks again she calmed down. I put her down and I am happy to say that we never had this issue again.

Cheyenne60041 · 02-03-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manymuddypaws

you must be joking- there are far better ways to deal with a puppy who is biting. Keep in mind that it was you who said you like your little "Viciousness"
Regardless that is no way to treat a dog- especially one WHO DOES NOT KNOW BETTER AND HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BITE IN THE FIRST PLACE! I cannot even express how frustrating you are- you should really stop telling stories like this.....
-amanda

Actually Lola is NEVER vicious to people! And she does NOT bite people for any reason, not even when she is in pain! Lola is a spoiled little princess, but she most certainly DOES know better now than to bite people. She wouldn't even bite an intruder in the house. She'll bark to announce the person, but after that nothing. Actual defending is left for Lord. This was like the first 2-3days that I got her from the breeder, she would just bite for no reason. She could be very loving and minute and all teeth the next. It's like she was a bi-polar 8 week old puppy. And I have tried every advice that books and other dog owners gave me and everything else that I could think of.....and guess what? Nothing worked. I had no previous experience with this type of thing because neither my poodle nor my basset would bite like that. Neither did any of the 17 dog owners/neighbors that I have talked to. I do like my "viciousness" however my Viciousness' viciousness is never directed at people. She will growl if you step on her or trip over her, but that's just to let you know that she is there, that's all. What would have been a better way to deal with her? I tried putting alone in the room by the way, if that's what you are thinking. But that would not calm her down, if anything I think she was even more pissed off afterwards. How would you treat a puppy like that? Maybe you do know methods that I haven't tried, but at the time that was all I could think of to do. 2-3 days might not seem long to you, but it is when your puppy is a "vicious little demon puppy from hell". I mean the only one that could handle her was my son. I took her to the vet too and there was nothing wrong with her physically and vet couldn't handle her either!

Chip's Mom · 02-04-2007, 04:52 AM

Lord have Mercy - I started this thread as I thought it was funny because of all the misconceptions that have been on here about growling puppies and I guess I have started something. Sorry. That being said - Dale is just a typical little puppy testing the water so please everyone don't get the wrong impression that I have a little viciousness. Dale is a sweet little boy and his personality is coming out more every day. I would never spray with water, hang a puppy by the scruff of his neck or gently cuff a puppy's nose. I wish I could recall this thread.

Dillydoodle · 02-04-2007, 05:07 AM

OH my gosh...Cheyenne- first off she DOES bite people, YOU, I am assuming, are a person. and you have just illustrated how she has bitten you. Holding an 8 week old puppy up by the scruff of the neck is NOT safe to do, It can cause trauma to the animal. They should ALWAYS be supported from below. I agree with Amanda, in that there are far better ways to train a puppy or a dog NOT to bite. Her agressive type behavior can be controlled if you work with her. Maybe you should enroll in some training classes with her and learn the proper way to work with and train your dog. I am shutting up now, before the flood gate opens and i spew forth the rest of what my racing mind has to say.

Bonnie, dont worry, all puppies growl...Dillon was a growler and still very talkative, but not biting and not vicious and neither is your little chipmunk either.
Emilie

glencorgi · 02-04-2007, 09:16 AM

Bonnie,

The intent of your post did make it through. Don't worry about it.

As for Lola:

Quote:

When I just got Lola from the breeder, she was just this little vicious ball of fur and would bite anyone except children, who would pick her up or go near her. I have tried everything to break her out of the habit; spraing water, saying bad dog, gently smacking her on the nose, etc., but to no avail. Then one time when Lord was in the dogrun playing with his friends and Lola chasing all his friends away from him...

Given Lola's probable age at the time Cheyenne met the breeder for the roadside drop off, bite inhibition was not something she had been given a remote chance to begin learning. That speaks to the caliber breeder she came from. I think it would also be a safe guess that she had little socialization and nurturing with or from humans which is another contributing factor to the questionable temperament she displays. Correct Pembroke temperament is: "Outlook bold, but kindly. Never shy nor viscious." While corgis are not supposed to be milquetoast fluffballs, which too many uneducated and misinformed owners expect; they aren't supposed to be aggressive, snarling bullies either. Both Cheyenne and Lola are very lucky the dogs she was bullying in this instance were puppy tolerant or Lola would have been "snack."

All puppies, to varying degrees, go through a pirannha type stage. We've discussed before how they explore the world with their mouths and it is up to us, their owners, to teach and train them this is not acceptable or appropriate behaviour. We've also talked in other threads how corgis need firm rules, structure and discipline, but how they don't respond will to harsh physical type corrections and discipline.

In times past on this forum list members have been stunned when I mentioned that corgis do not have the best reputation around and are perceived as snarky, snarly little beasties ... well folks, here is a perfect illustration of my point. Cheyenne admits even her vet couldn't handle Lola. Point made. I've also been asked to tell about aggressive/bad tempered corgis I've had in rescue. Lola definitely has a harder edge over the top genetic based temperament and is what happens when breeders don't care about one of the top priorities responsible, reputable Breeders take into account - temperament.

Given the breeds Cheyenne says she is familiar with and the ones she has worked with when volunteering at the animal shelter, I do find it a bit surprising she isn't more conscientious about training and the behavior of her dogs in light of all the breed specific legislation and breed bans spreading like wildfires all over the country - the ones she listed are

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