Does your adorable puppy growl at you when you pick him up? Does this attitude worry you to the point that you fear that, once an adult, he will turn into an aggressive dog? Almost every puppy goes through this phase. Just because he growls at you doesn't mean he doesn't like you or that he's getting aggressive. However, such behavior should not be tolerated, so action should be taken to stop it. You can teach your puppy to restrain himself and become a polite little dog.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using Positive Stimuli
Step 1. Consider using positive reinforcement
The best way to teach your puppy a command or make him understand that certain behaviors are not acceptable is to use positive reinforcement. In practice, it means praising the right attitudes instead of punishing the wrong ones. You can root out bad behaviors by motivating your pooch to act in a certain way so that he is sure to receive praise and reward.
Step 2. Choose a command
One of the most important aspects of training using positive reinforcement is consistency, because the puppy only understands through repetitive actions. The first thing you need to be consistent about is the word to use to tell him that he needs to stop growling. "Silence" is the most common expression in these cases.
Once the puppy understands the meaning of "silence", you can use this command even when it barks in an annoying way, whines and emits other yelps. Always make sure he doesn't have a good reason to complain before giving him this command
Step 3. Give your puppy a treat and praise him when you pick him up
If he doesn't start growling as soon as you pick him up, compliment him in a low voice by telling him he's a good dog. You should also keep a few delicious treats in your pocket and hand a piece of it for him to nibble on while he remains calm and docile in his arms.
To make sure you don't give him too much of a reward as you train him, use several pea-sized pieces
Step 4. Stop rewarding him if he starts growling
It is best for the puppy to begin to associate the reward with having to behave calmly and calmly when you hold him. As soon as he is about to growl, stop praising him and giving him his reward. However, don't put it on the ground. If you put him down shortly after he starts to growl, he will begin to link his behavior with you placing him on the floor, so you will only reinforce his behavior instead of eliminating him.
Step 5. Use the command you have chosen
If the expression you chose is "silence", use this command after you stop giving him the reward. Use a stern tone as well, but not in a strong or aggressive way that scares the puppy. If you give the command in a gentle tone, the puppy will feel like it is praise, as it will remind him of the same tone that was used when you gave him the positive reinforcement.
Use the command only once, then wait until the puppy stops growling. If you repeat this several times, it will be more difficult for him to associate it with the behavior you want
Step 6. Praise him more and give him other treats when he stops growling
When he pauses for a few seconds, compliment him again and offer him another reward. You may need to wait a minute for the puppy to refrain from this behavior, but don't hesitate to praise him and give him more treats as soon as he stops. The change will not happen immediately, as the puppy will begin to understand after a few days (even weeks) or several times that, if you are happy when it is quiet in your arms, it will be able to have its tasty tidbits and that, if it growls, it will not receive any. reward.
Step 7. Conclude on a positive note
Always end with encouragement. While it is necessary to wait until he stops growling even when you are ready to put him down, always end the training with positive reinforcement. Wait for the puppy to finish grinding, praise him, give him the reward, and finally set him down.
To keep her from relying too much on treats, you can use other types of positive reinforcement. For example, when you're ready to put your puppy on the floor, wait for him to stop growling, compliment him and give him his favorite toy as soon as you put him down
Step 8. Be consistent
Puppies adopt a certain type of behavior only if the owner shows the utmost consistency in giving and taking away positive reinforcements. If the messages are contradictory during training, they don't work. In order for him to behave correctly, try to be strict when you have to praise him, give him the reward and his toys.
This means that each member of the family also plays an important role in training the puppy. The latter will not learn if you are the only one giving him the education. Make sure everyone who deals with him uses the same system when it comes to incentivizing him to behave in the right way
Step 9. Be patient
Some puppies may sense the command after a few times, while others may take weeks before they understand it. Be patient because thanks to your consistency the puppy will eventually learn.
If you feel frustrated, avoid going to the point of scolding or slapping him. Dogs understand when their owner is angry with them, but they rarely understand why. Therefore, if you punish your puppy, you run the risk of confusing him. Keep using positive reinforcement
Step 10. Reduce your reliance on rewards
Once your puppy has learned what behavior you expect from him while holding him and using the "silence" command, you can reduce the frequency with which you give him treats to obey you. While you should decrease your reliance on rewards, always stay consistent by resorting to other forms of encouragement, especially praise.
- Initially, give him a treat four out of five times that the puppy obeys, assuming the correct behavior. When he begins to react regularly to the command "silence", reduce the reward to three times out of five and continue to gradually decrease the frequency. When he understands, always obeying constantly, you can give him only one reward every now and then.
- Vary the frequency of reinforcements. Your puppy is smarter than you might think and understands if you give him his reward once in a while, so your consistency can cause him to obey you alternately. Choose to reward him without following a precise pattern, so that he tries to make you happy at every opportunity to get his tidbits.
Part 2 of 2: Take Additional Steps to Obey You
Step 1. Hold the puppy correctly
He may growl from the simple fact that he doesn't like the way you take him or because he is uncomfortable in his arms. Although this is normal, puppies do not appreciate being held under the arm and lifted in this way. There is also the risk of getting hurt.
- Rather, place one hand on the puppy's chest and stomach and use the other to lift him from the rear end. It is a safer way to take it.
- When you hold it, cradle it in your chest or lap so that it feels protected.
Step 2. Pay attention to how often he growls
If your puppy does this to everyone, take into consideration that he or she may not like being taken. Dogs are prone to running and exploring everywhere. It is not natural or normal for them to be carried and, therefore, they may get annoyed if they are handled this way. Therefore, his reaction may be more due to the fright in such a situation than to the intention to attack.
Step 3. Distract him from his behavior with a toy
If your puppy has no problems when you pick him up, but starts growling shortly after, then you may be able to distract him from his attitude by using a toy. Make sure you give it to him before he starts to growl. If not, there is a risk that he will trade the toy as a reward for growling.
A toy is also a great way to distract a puppy who uses his mouth too much when you pick him up, perhaps biting his arms or hands for play
Step 4. Recognize when he growls playfully in other circumstances
Your puppy is likely to growl at other times, not just when you pick him up. He might do this while playing with other puppies, with his toys, and so on. It's normal in this kind of situation, so don't think about "hushing him up" in such circumstances. If he runs all over the place, has a playful expression with his mouth open and leans forward hopping with his front legs down and his back up, he is just playing and has no intention of being aggressive or dominating.
- Dogs that growl to express aggression or domination are much more likely to stare at their target, tuck their ears back and thin their mouths as they bar their teeth. Also, when they growl aggressively, they stay still and focused.
- If your puppy growls when someone approaches him while he eats, his are aggressive signals related to the fact that he is eating. Contact a behavioral veterinarian in your city to be able to correct the aggressive attitude related to food.
Step 5. Consider consulting a dog trainer
If after several weeks of training, your puppy still hasn't understood the command and is still growling, then see a dog trainer. He will examine how you give him the command and correct any inconsistencies that may confuse your pooch.
Advice
- Don't get too angry if he growls and bites you. It is an attitude that many puppies abandon if you are constant.
- Don't make fun of how your puppy behaves and don't scream. In both cases there is a risk of encouraging unwanted attitudes.
- When he stops growling, reward his behavior by praising him or giving him a treat. That way he'll know he's done well.
