Low Growls when greeting dogs

by Beatriz
(Fort Myers, Fl)

I have a female 2 yr old great pyranees/golden retriever mix. I just adopted her from the shelter I work at about three months ago. Whenever I've taken her to the dog park or a petsmart or some area where there are other dogs she growls lowly on and off while sniffing and greeting the other dog. Eventually she will warm up to the other dog and even play with them if she is at the dog park. But as soon as a new dog comes to the park she does the same thing again. However, when I walk her in my neighborhood sometimes small dogs will run up to her and sniff her and she doesn't growl at all. One time a lab even ran up to her and she didn't growl. One time at the dog park she went and sniffed another dog and the dog whipped around and tryed to attack her and she defended herself but it was over in a half a milli second. What I'm asking is should I be concerned about the low growling? Has anyone else experienced this? She has never snapped at a dog and she gets along great with my cat, but it concerns me bc I'm not entirely sure why she is acting this way.

Comments for Low Growls when greeting dogs

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 23, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Low growlling
by: Donna

You want your dog to growl. He is telling the other dog and you he doesn't want that dog near him. Without the growl, he just goes for the bite.

He does this out of fear which is probably why he has no issue with small dogs. They are less intimdating. You cannot force your dog to get along with other dogs. Just as humans don't want to be friends with all other humans.

Avoid dog parks. People don't pay enough attention to their dogs so when play gets over the top, they don't stop it by getting their dog out of the mix. This is a recipe for disaster.

It's actually very rude to let your dog run up to other dogs and vise versa. You don't know how one dog will react to another. Proper introductions on leash are essential.

People seem to think their dog should just be friendly with all dogs and this is not the case. You don't know your dog's background. He may not have been well-socialized as a pup, and/or may have been or attacked by other dogs.

Find a friend with a dog with whom your dog gets along. Have said dog over to have play dates at your or their house in your securely fenced backyard.

Here is a wonderful article on this topic:

https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/dog-park-etiquette-rules/

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Barry

    Oct 04, 22 07:49 AM

    DOB: June 15, 2020 Location: Erin, Ontario Barry, who is very exuberant in his love of life, needs a new family who will make him a part of their lives,

    Read More

  2. Courtesy Post - Marley

    Oct 02, 22 01:21 PM

    Sadly, he squeezed through the gate to go after a member of his livestock got through. RIP, Marley. *ADOPTION* DOB: August 8, 2019 Location: London

    Read More

  3. Tina

    Oct 01, 22 06:12 PM

    D.O.B. July 12, 2017 Located in Erin, Ontario This sweetheart Great Pyr is looking for an experienced Pyr person. She will go to a home with children

    Read More

  4. Hendricks

    Oct 01, 22 03:42 PM

    *ADOPTED* We didn't even get a chance to post Hendricks as we found a suitable adopter who had already sent in an adoption application. His short story:

    Read More

  5. Sky

    Sep 26, 22 08:46 AM

    *On Hold* DOB: June 17, 2021 Location: Dashwood, Ontario Kids: Yes Dogs: Yes (we always recommend the opposite sex in the home as not all dogs of the

    Read More

  6. Sophie

    Sep 13, 22 01:43 PM

    *ADOPTED* DOB: Guesstimate 2012 - 10-years-old Located in Erin, ON Sweet Sophie was surrendered to a shelter after her owner died. We brought her into

    Read More

  7. Kevin

    Aug 26, 22 07:46 PM

    Kevin is a 9-year-old mix with maybe Retriever in him.We are still learning more about him. This is what we have so far: We think he has not had much

    Read More

  8. Courtesy Posting - Peter

    Aug 25, 22 10:04 AM

    *ADOPTED* Location: London area *Pyr-experienced home only* This handsome boy is 3-years-old. He was found as a stray. Peter will do great as a working

    Read More