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Growling

enchantingdragon

Well-known member
My sweet lovely Ellie Belli has taken to growling at times which I dont really understand. She tends to growl recently at people in the distance when she sees them. Is that normal? It started the other day when we were at home together. She was sitting in my lap and Paul came home from grocery shopping and when he walked by the room she growled. Then she seemed to remember who he was and ran over for kisses so I didnt think much of it. I figured she was confused thats all. Now whenever we go on walks she seems to growl at people we see in the distance. last night someone was walking from their car to their condo a good 20 ft away and she began to growl. This morning we walked by the kids at the bus stop about 20 ft away and she growled. When she growls I say no and usually walk away from what she is growling at. Paul says she doesnt growl when he walks her. We have taken her to Petsmart twice now to get some extra stuff and she has been fine there. No growls and at times she gets shy and runs behind us and peaks out but overall she has been a doll. She didnt growl at my mother's or at Paul's sister when she came by. Is this just a phase? I spoke to her breeder and she said that she thinks she might be feeling insecure as she has endured so many changes in such a short time. She says she might also sense me being nervous and is trying to alert and protect me. She says I ought to try to approach whatever she is growling at while talking to her positively and showing her there is no need to be afraid. I did this tonight and no growls but we didnt see any people either so I dont know if that has anything to do with it. Any thoughts?
 
I definately thinks its just nervousness due to a new house, people etc.. she is more on alert. Sure maybe she senses your tension over it - time is most likely all you need. Try being a bit aloof when she does it at things that scare her with "oh your alright" and then distract her. When the hawks were lurking about (no sight of them in wks thank god) I was so nervous I know I had Kodee on edge - she jumped at any noise outside. But once I relaxed she started investigating things - um she got that down pat... 3, 45 min plays outside today. No getting her in with our recent warming period! I think she thought it would always be cold out - she cant move tonight she is so tired from plowing her head thro the snow all day!
 
She could also be going through a fear stage right now. Kosmo is scared of anybody with a winter coat and a hood. He doesn't seem to connect that they are human and he growls and barks the whole time. I laugh at him and he looks at me like I am nuts. I laugh at him every single time he tries to cause a rukus..

Hope Ellie gets more at ease soon! :flwr:
 
I think some puppies do go through the stranger-danger phase but with proper socialising it should pass.
 
Maybe she's developing territorial instincts. Holly doesn't like people walking down the street on the OPPOSITE side from our house. She's better than she used to be, but still gets hysterical at people in wheelchairs or buggies. From a distance. Seems fine with them close up, though....

But then, she's neurotic. :lol:
 
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