Big dog growls when trying to play and terrifies everyone
Discussion
I've got 2 year old Rottsation and in the last 3 months or so, has been growling at other dogs when he wants to initiate play as he always has with me. When doing so his tail is wagging, and his hair down on his back, he doesn't show teeth. This is very gentle dog despite his bulk. He's never been in a fight.
The problem I'm having is other dogs and their owners just see a big black dog growling and panic. Their dogs can snap, and the owners act very irrationally. When the other dog barks, my socially retarded dog then considers them to be aggressive and barks back and his stance changes. This is despite him having caused it by being in there face growling. So it's pretty awkward, and these days he stays on his lead around other dogs unless we know them well. Which is a shame.
He was socialised a fair amount as a younger dog, I also pay for someone to take him out in group walks to try and get him more socialised but she has similar issues. Beyond that however I'm a bit stumped. Chastising him for trying to play is very difficult to get the timing right and often makes the owners worry more as they think I'm telling him off for being aggressive. I have friends with dogs but no one with any similar sized which are the only ones he'll do this with as he regards smaller dogs as a bit of curiosity more than actual dogs.
Anybody experienced similar?
The problem I'm having is other dogs and their owners just see a big black dog growling and panic. Their dogs can snap, and the owners act very irrationally. When the other dog barks, my socially retarded dog then considers them to be aggressive and barks back and his stance changes. This is despite him having caused it by being in there face growling. So it's pretty awkward, and these days he stays on his lead around other dogs unless we know them well. Which is a shame.
He was socialised a fair amount as a younger dog, I also pay for someone to take him out in group walks to try and get him more socialised but she has similar issues. Beyond that however I'm a bit stumped. Chastising him for trying to play is very difficult to get the timing right and often makes the owners worry more as they think I'm telling him off for being aggressive. I have friends with dogs but no one with any similar sized which are the only ones he'll do this with as he regards smaller dogs as a bit of curiosity more than actual dogs.
Anybody experienced similar?
Prof Prolapse said:
I've got 2 year old Rottsation and in the last 3 months or so, has been growling at other dogs when he wants to initiate play as he always has with me.
Wonder where he's picked up the fact that growling initiates play 
While he's growling at you, if you tell him to be quiet, will he? If so, when he growls at you, make him be quiet before you play and he'll soon learn that quiet = play, not growling.
I don't allow my dogs to instigate play with me but that's another story.
vinnie01 said:
Rotties like Staffs are notourious 'talkers' some people call it the 'rottie rumble' you say your dog is a RottSation? Alsatians are vocal buggers too. as already said perhaps just tell him shut it when playing or cease playing as soon as he growls till he learns to be quieter?
Good point. We claim one of our Staffs sings as she spends so long making noises at us.
Phew, I'd always thought you were better than that 
Autopilot said:
Wonder where he's picked up the fact that growling initiates play
While he's growling at you, if you tell him to be quiet, will he? If so, when he growls at you, make him be quiet before you play and he'll soon learn that quiet = play, not growling.
I don't allow my dogs to instigate play with me but that's another story.
It's just when we play fight and he gets into it. If I try and stop him it just ceases the game or he thinks he's been bad. So it's a nice idea but I'm not sure hot to do this in practice.While he's growling at you, if you tell him to be quiet, will he? If so, when he growls at you, make him be quiet before you play and he'll soon learn that quiet = play, not growling.
I don't allow my dogs to instigate play with me but that's another story.
He asks for permission to play anywhere but on the fields and he wants his ball. I tell him no, and he buggers off again. He doesn't pounce on me in the house or anything!
vinnie01 said:
Rotties like Staffs are notourious 'talkers' some people call it the 'rottie rumble' you say your dog is a RottSation? Alsatians are vocal buggers too. as already said perhaps just tell him shut it when playing or cease playing as soon as he growls till he learns to be quieter?
Again, I take your point, and will try but this is hard to do in practice. Also he's never treated dogs the same way he does me, never does this with other people, so I'm not convinced there is a link. With nothing to lose I'll try of course.
my EBT has always been like this - she'll talk to you if she wants fuss or if she wants to play. shes the same with some dogs in the park too.
its not a scary bark/growl, its more like shes getting her point across - tail wagging like mad, no teeth.
some people are put off by it, others understand that bull breeds are pretty gobby and thats the way she is.
those labra-doodle type owners who pick their dog up and run away - go for it. you wouldnt like it when my dog tips yours upside down anyway.
OP if he's a big dog, and plays nicely, - try and get in with a few dog walkers local to you who will learn that he has this trait, then he can get some decent play with his mates and other owners wont think your needy of a wide berth.
its not a scary bark/growl, its more like shes getting her point across - tail wagging like mad, no teeth.
some people are put off by it, others understand that bull breeds are pretty gobby and thats the way she is.
those labra-doodle type owners who pick their dog up and run away - go for it. you wouldnt like it when my dog tips yours upside down anyway.
OP if he's a big dog, and plays nicely, - try and get in with a few dog walkers local to you who will learn that he has this trait, then he can get some decent play with his mates and other owners wont think your needy of a wide berth.
Ok, bit of a long shot, but have you tried teaching him to 'speak'? No, not like a human, but if you can offer a command to get him to 'chat' to you in that play growl, then you can teach him a 'cease'. If he then learns to associate the word 'cease' with shutting up and being rewarded with play, job done.
Edited to say, I know others have already suggested part of this, but by adding in a command to make the noise, then a command to stop it, it makes it clearer that the noise is what you want him to stop, rather than you just ceasing play when he makes the noise, and him not working out why, if you see what I mean?
How you go about that, I dunno, as we have sighthounds and a stupid italian creature, so they mainly teach us!!!
Edited to say, I know others have already suggested part of this, but by adding in a command to make the noise, then a command to stop it, it makes it clearer that the noise is what you want him to stop, rather than you just ceasing play when he makes the noise, and him not working out why, if you see what I mean?
How you go about that, I dunno, as we have sighthounds and a stupid italian creature, so they mainly teach us!!!
Edited by Dand E Lion on Tuesday 3rd November 11:13
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff