11 week old lab growling at strangers

[Alwaystheplusone]

I have a lovely 11 week old lab puppy who is doing really well (responds to basic commands, toilet trained, sleeps through the night, affectionate, etc). He’s not yet fully vaccinated so isn’t allowed on walks but we carry him for short walks every day (even though he weighs a ton!). However, he growls whenever he meets new people or when people visit the house. He does warm up eventually and is fine after a while but the growling is worrying and the socialisation window is closing. Any tips/reassurance anyone can offer?

Socialisation isnt about him greeting everyone or saying hello, just learning to be calm. Are people giving him space and not crowding him?
i would encourage visitors to ignore him and make sure he has a safe space or let him sit between your feet. Reward when he’s quiet and if people come to close you take charge so he doesn’t have too.
you need to try not to worry as well, he’ll pick up on your anxiety about his socialisation and think there is something to be concerned about.

just to add growling is good. He is trying to communicate that he is not happy- so listen to him and back the interactions up and slow things down. You don’t want him thinking if he tries to communicate no one listens

He is growling because he feels vulnerable being carried. It isn't a good way to socialise a dog. They learn so much through scent and you are stopping that. For now just use your garden (if you have one) and don't pick him up.

I would crouch down so he can go under you - and fuss him with a key word.

Then a treat when calm.

They are just alerting you to danger - let him know it’s ok.

Thank you! Yes, I think I need to wind in my expectations and understand that he doesn’t need to be petted by everyone. I’ll try to be more aware of not appearing anxious.

My girl was just like that...and (hindsight being a wonderful gift) I wish we had listened to her... she was nervous and needed to be given space to watch the world as a tiny puppy, but not to be approached by everyone wanting to touch her (she's a rare breed and looked like a fat fluffy bear so everyone wanted to stroke her).
Now she is a wonderful 3 year old girl...but she does NOT like strangers touching her, and will bark if they attempt it. And she takes her time to warm up to anyone coming into our home. She's a dog who loves her family and ONLY her family. Nothing wrong with that, but I do think she would have been less wary of strangers had I understood her 'this is too much for me' signals when she was tiny.

As others have said, it sounds as though he is being overstimulated. I know it's hard to say no to people petting your puppy as they only mean well, but be an advocate for your dog. You could get a 'do not distract' or 'do not pet' dog vest/lead which might stop people approaching your puppy.
Best of luck

@StillMedusa you could have described us there (dare I ask what breed?!)
We had a huge fluffy bear like puppy who everyone wanted to touch. Puppy didn’t object but didn’t go to people either, I just allowed people to say hello when really I should have said no.
I wish I had listened more closely to my dog who now actively avoids strangers incase they might touch him. He isn’t aggressive in any way but clearly does not want to be stroked and can get a little wary if he thinks he might be.

OP, I would consult a behaviourist (only use one registered with the abtc) if I was you. It could be the best money you ever spend, it’s so easy to get this bit wrong!

I follow Southend dog training on YouTube and they recommend putting yourself in front of the dog in situations like this. Obviously there is more to it. Its worth a watch.

You probably need to take a step back, sit on a bench in a park with him so he can watch the world go by.

If he's growling at people he's saying I'm not comfortable, please help me mum.

As he gets older he will get more confident.

Ithinkimightbebroken She's a Eurasier... so unusual and a big ball of fluff!
They are a 'reserved' breed..devoted to family but not interested in anyone else but she is more anxious than she should be..because we failed to realise how anxious she was.
She has improved (she's 3 now) but I always stop people from reaching out...if they ignore her she is MUCH happier!