Dear Alecia,
I just adopted a 2-year-old, female, a Labrador. She’s an all around good, sweet dog. She responds well to basic training. We can leave her in the house when we’re gone and she doesn’t chew up anything, although, I think she barks and whines while we’re gone. My problem is whenever we lay down too close by her she growls. And if we attempt to lay our head on her in any way, she jumps up real fast, growling, and lets out a bark.
It’s like she’s yelling at us “Don’t do that!” She’s not aggressive in any other areas. She’s friendly with strangers and other dogs. She’s not protective of her toys or her food. She seems very submissive, stays off furniture, and listens for the most part. She doesn’t like our head near her body in any way however.
I have two small kids that just don’t remember all the time to not do certain movements around her. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid to correct her in the wrong way. I don’t want to make her worse. I have a three-year-old son, when he goes up and lays on her, she jumps and growls, and when I correct her, I don’t want her to start thinking that “I get in trouble when you lay on me” and make her worse in that way.
How do I stop this behavior effectively? I have also heard that correcting growling can lead to biting with no warning. I’m at a loss for what to do. I’ve thought at times it isn’t worth it, about just giving her away. I would love it if she could be a good dog for my kids.
What can I do to ever trust her with my children? — Stephanie
Dear Stephanie,
Congrats on your newest family member. And I am sorry to hear about the growling.
From what you have described to me my hunch is that somewhere this pooch is in a bit of discomfort or pain and when you get too close she lets you know. Sounds like she does not want to hurt anyone but is simply alerting you to the fact that she may not be comfortable.
My first suggestion would be to find a really good doggie chiropractor in your area and have them check her out to see if perhaps she is in any discomfort. A good chiropractor will be able to evaluate the dog and make sure that she has no sore spots you may be missing.
My second suggestion would be to possibly contact an Animal Communicator if the chiropractor comes back with nothing. Just as a quick test, since you and the dog are now well connected and her body has an innate intelligence, when you have a moment take a deep breath and clear your mind. Once your mind is clear ask you dog’s body for permission to communicate with it. Then ask it, what do you know about what is causing your growling, then listen for what you hear. Then ask her body, what would help clear this up for you? And listen again.
Our bodies and all the body around us of all species are very communicative if we just ask them questions and are willing to tune in and listen to what they have to say.
If there is nothing wrong as far as the chiropractor is concerned and the animal communicator has nothing to report either, then the next step would be going to a skilled trainer who will work with you, your dog and your children in a positive and rewarding manner.
Paws Up! Alecia
Alecia Evans is the inventor of The Walk In Sync™ Humane Dog Walking and Training System with her exclusive 5 Minute Manners Makeovers using the Walk In Sync™ Harness and Accu-Grip Leash, along with her Walk In Sync™ 3 Easy Steps to teach any human/dog duos to Walk In Sync in just minutes.
The former host of the award-winning GrassRoots Aspen TV Series, The Whole Animal-An Alternative Approach to Animal Care, Alecia takes a natural approach to dog training and health care. Her work has been featured on Fox and Friends, The Sandra Glosser Show, NY 1, and in Aspen Magazine, DogTipper.com, The New York Daily News and Woof Report.
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