Growling Dog?

[ruledbyheart]

Hi everyone
I rescued my 11mth old Crestepoo 2 months ago from an advert on preloved (I know, I know), where a girl (only about 17) had her for sale and from the pics she looked awful so I wanted to check her out she was filthy and stank couldnt see out of the overgrown fur and was deaf due to matts in her ears (long story short I took the dog and reported to RSPCA about the other animals she had).

This poor girl has been kept in a crate 90% of her life but is otherwise healthy, she has come a long way in a short amount of time and is fantastic with my DCs and has been great with other dogs (friends/family dogs) but on walks she growls at other dogs she wants to greet them and does happily then starts growling, her body language seems relaxed and her tail is waggy and I THINK she actually wants to play but going the wrong way about it?
She doesnt bare her teeth or snarl either.
Has anyone got any training advice or ideas on this?

Other dog owners are obviously worried about this and don't let their dogs close a lot of the time which then makes Angel worse as she starts trying to get to them (again all waggy and bouncy) but growly.

Well done on taking the dog away from the awful situation, you sound like you're doing a great job.
My male boxer does a sort of grumbly growl when he want peoples to pet him/when he think he's being ignored (!) and I know this can be mistaken for an aggressive growl except his tail is wagging and he's usually bouncing about its his way of 'talking'. He never does it outside, just in the house/garden when he wants people's/or the other dogs attention.

Have you thought about obedience classes so you can socialise her in a 'controlled environment'.

I am looking into classes for her at the moment but struggling to find classes for dogs over 6mths, she is being spayed Friday so will have a few days to get a plan of action together.
She groans out if contentment and does growl whilst playing with friends dogs so I don't think it's aggression.

Toughasoldboots - you may be onto something there as the girl did have another much larger dog who didn't seem very friendly also in crate next to hers :-(
I am currently recall training at the moment and she is getting better but until thats good I cant let her off lead and there is no where secure enough around here.

I got my dog from a pet shop 8 years ago he was 6 weeks when I got him and the owner of the pet shop said he had been there 2 weeks. He does this too. It's almost as though he knows the language but does not have the interpretation.

Mind this is a dog that talks, I kid you not. He has whale noises, cries, grumbles, and something that sounds like no.

Either way I will be watching this thread with interest!

RSPCA did nothing - just paid a visit.
19 rabbits, 5 cats another dog (rotti x who was skinny enough to see ribs) and that's just what U saw, house was filthy, and my poor Angel was covered in dry urine and matts.
Says a lot for RSPCA really doesn't it.
She is the friendlest dog I have ever met follows me everywhere and is very much a lapdog, I genuine believe it is out of gratefulness if being rescued as she doesnt bother with anyone else even my partner who feeds her or my DCs who she just puts up with lol.

Signet - 6weeks?! That's terrible poor boy, but your way of thinking is similar to mine I don't believe Angel knows how to be a dog it's only the last week she has discovered the joy of toys after 2 months of trying.

Damn phone please excuse the terrible grammar and spelling mistakes

Yes, it was a pet shop in blackpool. I went there for a weekend break when I was 21 and walked past and saw him in a cage in the window. I went in and he was lovely and so friendly so I bought him. Pet shop was not very nice.

funnily enough, he hates old people, people with grey hair and glasses, the sound of jangling keys and crutches clicking. These things have him into a strange frenzy. The owners where both old, with grey hair and glasses and the man walked with a crutch.

Not sure if this is coincidence but its odd how you can put money on how he will react if confronted with any of the above.

At the time I knew nothing about dogs. I didn't even know what a border collie was or a springer spaniel.

8 years on, he is a happy chappy. I like to think what I have not got in experience he has had in love.

Just wish I understood him a little bit more!

Signet - he sounds a very lucky boy to have you, it's funny how small things can stay with a dog lime that the only thing my dog doesn't like is trackie bottoms which isn't a problem in my house as no one owns any but going out and about can be interesting, she isn't aggressive she runs away in the opposite direction