Dog sometimes growling when on lead

[afaloren]

Hi,

I have a seven year-old Lab with a lovely temperament. Recently sometimes when he is on lead he will growl at other dogs if they approach him. He never snaps or anything and he never does it when he’s off-lead, he just doesn’t seem to like other dogs sniffing him when he’s on lead. This can happened whether the other dog is on-lead or off.

Any advice on training I could do to combat this? I know he’s only saying he wants space but it makes me nervous especially as other owners jump back etc.

He’s doing excellent communicating. What he needs is for everyone to listen.

You need to advocate for him by redirecting him away from the dogs if he shows negative body language (or ask owners to recall if their dog is off lead).

Don’t get anxious yourself or he’ll think there’s really something to growl about and you’ll worsen the situation. Keep things light and breezy but in control.

Lots of dogs can get a bit reactive on lead and there are steps you can take to try and break this thought/behaviour habit. Either with the help of an expert or by doing lots of research yourself. Have you watched the Dog Academy on C4? There are lots of similar situations on there, you’re not alone!

Thank you for your reply @DogDream

He’s such an Andrex Puppy looking dog that people seem really shocked if he growls. I usually say, ‘This way!’ and walk off quickly if it happens. I do ask other owners to call their dogs back if they’re off lead and quite often get ‘He just wants to say hello’ or some other nonsense. I never let my dog approach an on-lead dog.

I will check out that programme, thank you.

New behaviour like this, in a 7 year old dog? I'd start with a vet check. Pain (arthritis, for eg) around the back end could cause him to worry a bit when other dogs approach him, so he growls.

I'd want that ruled out first.

Agreed

It may be related to deterioriating eyesight or hearing.
Or, if he has arthritis or bad teeth, pain might make him tetchy.

Echo. Before anything else if a usually lovely dog with no “events” (Ie being attacked by another dog) is showing this behaviour my first port of call would be a once over at the vets

I can see my dog getting fed up with others now. He was always up for a romp, but now realises he's a bit older and slower and can't 'win' all the time. He makes a half hearted start then runs behind my legs for me to sort it out.

Aging is pants.

Oh no don’t say that he’s still my puppy! He does take YuMove 3x daily as he does suffer a bit with his joints.

He’’s booked in for his six monthly health check next week so I’ll mention it to the vet and get him properly looked over.

One of the dogs i walk dislikes dogs sticking their heads up her bum, especially new dogs she just met. That action tends to elicit a growl (& she hops away). Some other owners are scared by a growl , other owners almost encourage the noise "That's right, you tell him off!"

I am not dog expert to know everything but... I think the dog I'm walking is just grumbling so the 2nd interpretation is correct. She was off lead today & could have rocketed off if truly annoyed or easily kept herself entirely away from the (on-lead) bum-sniffer. Sometimes a quick growl is merely a mild rebuke gesture. Respect it but don't worry about it.

Definitely this - especially as you don't say anything specific has happened (like a bad experience) to cause him to start being wary of other dogs.