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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Puppy growling and snapping

42 replies

MightyMeerkat · 15/09/2021 19:35

Can I ask your advice please? Pup is 13.5 weeks, a sprocker spaniel. She has started to growl when she is picked up - not all of the time, usually when she is comfy and settled e.g. on the sofa or in the car. I've tried to be calm and gentle with her and I never pick her up when she is asleep.

Tonight I picked her up from doggy daycare and as I went to lift her out of the car she growled then lunged at me, snapping her teeth. It really freaked me out. I left her in the car whilst I got a treat and her lead to try and coax her out. She was not having it. After 15 minutes she finally jumped out on her own. But it's a high car and she really shouldn't be jumping down that far at her age.

Does anyone have any advice? I'm guessing that she was tired after daycare and didn't want to move. But once she'd jumped down she started running around with her toys and wanted to go in the garden so it's not entirely tired.

Any advice appreciated. I've never known a puppy behave in that way before.

OP posts:

ashmts · 15/09/2021 21:58

@Shamsa03 I'll quite happily get mad at strangers for spouting BS on the internet, you were criticising the OP for everything to do with this dog regardless of the facts. My puppy growled when I moved her off the couch at roughly the same age as OP's. I did a lot of reading around it and gather it may have been some sort of precursor to resource guarding, and that a growl is a warning sign that could progress to a snap and eventually a bite. I identified the potential issue, prevented it, and dealt with it. Better than deciding a puppy is aggressive or badly bred and giving up, no? As you'll see from this thread, it's definitely something that happens. Lucky you've never had a dog do it or clearly you wouldn't know how to deal with it.

Wolfiefan · 15/09/2021 22:01

She didn’t want to be picked up. She’d had a long day at daycare (is it too much for such a baby?) Could you use a ramp to get in and out the car? Or steps??

Original poster

MightyMeerkat · 15/09/2021 22:11

Thank you everyone. I don't think it's resource guarding or rage syndrome. I think she's tired and overstimulated. Daycare is in a private home with 3 other dogs. But pup has serious FOMO so probably isn't getting the sleep she needs. I'll speak to them and see if they can try enforcing some naps.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 15/09/2021 22:33

Might be worth them separating her from the others for a little while for a nap.

peardropsonarainyday · 16/09/2021 10:49

[quote ashmts]@Shamsa03 I'll quite happily get mad at strangers for spouting BS on the internet, you were criticising the OP for everything to do with this dog regardless of the facts. My puppy growled when I moved her off the couch at roughly the same age as OP's. I did a lot of reading around it and gather it may have been some sort of precursor to resource guarding, and that a growl is a warning sign that could progress to a snap and eventually a bite. I identified the potential issue, prevented it, and dealt with it. Better than deciding a puppy is aggressive or badly bred and giving up, no? As you'll see from this thread, it's definitely something that happens. Lucky you've never had a dog do it or clearly you wouldn't know how to deal with it.[/quote]
This 100 percent ! Op my pup was the same a few weeks ago and it really worried me . Lunged at my face too . I read so much even got a 121 for him but it went on for a couple of weeks and he hasn't done it since . He was comfy and did t want to to be moved .

Shamsa03 · 16/09/2021 14:00

[quote ashmts]@Shamsa03 I'll quite happily get mad at strangers for spouting BS on the internet, you were criticising the OP for everything to do with this dog regardless of the facts. My puppy growled when I moved her off the couch at roughly the same age as OP's. I did a lot of reading around it and gather it may have been some sort of precursor to resource guarding, and that a growl is a warning sign that could progress to a snap and eventually a bite. I identified the potential issue, prevented it, and dealt with it. Better than deciding a puppy is aggressive or badly bred and giving up, no? As you'll see from this thread, it's definitely something that happens. Lucky you've never had a dog do it or clearly you wouldn't know how to deal with it.[/quote]
Whatever makes you happy just because you think it's Bullshit doesn't make it so.
Poor dog obviously didn't feel safe with you if it has to growl at you to get you to back off.
Your dog growls at you and you say I wouldn't know how to deal with it got to say that's a pretty funny comment to make.

Shamsa03 · 16/09/2021 14:04

I wasn't criticising her at all I was merely asking questions think you are a little bit sensitive
OP was answering me without getting a offended. Are you one of those that get offended on other peoples behalf

BiteyShark · 16/09/2021 14:08

Shamsa03 Dogs communicate in a variety of ways and are all different.

Some dogs will shut down if upset and lots of people think they are fine because they aren't reacting to whatever is stressing them whereas others will growl.

Hekatestorch · 16/09/2021 14:12

@Shamsa03

The first thing I thought when reading your post was cocker spaniel rage, I think that's what it is called. Where did you get the dog from? Did you meet mum and dad?

No it's really not.

There's no such think as cocker spaniel rage. It's rage syndrome. And lots of breeds can have it. If any animal professional calls it cocker rage, they education needs updating.

If it was rage there would be no pattern. There's clearly a pattern. Dogs with RS become aggressive with no on ious pattern or trigger and it doesn't stop because you stop doing whatever they don't like.

The attack is similar to seizure. Its continues regardless of what's going on. When it stops the dog is disorientated and appears to not know what's going on.

Grumpy, snappy, resourcing guarding spaniels do not have rage.

And to the poster who Google it. Google would also tell you ots exceedingly rare in dogs this young.

@Shamsa03 you clearly have no clue what your are talking about wheb it come to these, or possibly any dogs. Sprockers have been popular dogs with farmers for years and years.

And they aren't probe to rage. It was thought they were lore likely to have it, though is very very rare. And other breeds do have it.

Op, I would imagine she will be having regular vet checks. So would mention it to them, incase she is in pain. Other wise I would say knackered and wants to be left alone. Big tasty treats may help and a ramp for the car

Beebopalooola · 16/09/2021 14:14

I might be too outing but can you give me a rough idea where you got this pup because it sounds similar to someone I know and if so its not a good thing.

Beebopalooola · 16/09/2021 14:15

The breeder set up i mean by not a good thing and you may have been lied to. I hope not op.

Shamsa03 · 16/09/2021 14:19

High and mighty syndrome' is rife on this thread. Can tell she works in a hospital.

It was just a thought, I didn't say it was. Get a grip people.

Shamsa03 · 16/09/2021 14:43

ashmts

@Shamsa03 I'll quite happily get mad at strangers for spouting BS on the internet

strangers on the Internet

That says it all.

icedcoffees · 16/09/2021 15:38

A full day at daycare is probably too much for her at such a young age - does she have to go all day? How often does she go?

13 week old puppies should be asleep for about 18-20 hours in a 24-hour period - I highly doubt that's happening in a daycare environment with other dogs about. Other dogs will be far more interesting than naps at that age!

if she's tired and doesn't want to be move, install a ramp in the car and encourage her out of the car with treats and a lead/line - don't try and pick her up. Most dogs really don't like it - they tolerate it or can become used to it, but it takes time and effort.

However I would think about whether she needs to be at daycare all day long - that's so much stimulation for her, I would worry it could actually cause some behavioural issues, tbh.

Hekatestorch · 16/09/2021 16:18

@Shamsa03 you have made several claims that have no basis in truth. Cause Google.

Including the history of sprockers. Its fine not to know. Its not fine to be condescending to the op and pretending you actually know what you are talking about.

Bowtie292 · 16/09/2021 17:57

I can't belive some of the smug replies on here Shamsa just because your dogs have never growled doesn't mean anything, utterly pointless post. Lots of dogs do growl, mine included. They're vocal dogs who don't like some things, doesn't mean there's any issue with them. It's just their personality.

OP, you've had some great advice, I think you can pick your way through through BS. With time, patience and understanding I think your pup will be fine.

Flumo · 16/09/2021 17:59

My dad's dog is exactly the same but is 7, they've never been able to train him out of it just try and keep him out the car. If they don't keep the lead on him in the car there is literally no way of getting him out 😒

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