Puppy growls when picked up

Speedy2662 · 01-07-2013, 04:06 PM

Hi! Recently Zack started growling when I pick him up, and after a second he is calming himself. I tried to give him a treat after he stops growling, but that doesn't show too much of effect. What can I do? PS. I am going to puppy training classes on Wednesday and there are behaviour specialists there, so I'll ask them too for help, but for now I would love some help from everyone here. Thanks

GsdLoverr729 · 01-07-2013, 04:32 PM

Why are you picking him up? O.o

Speedy2662 · 01-07-2013, 04:34 PM

Sometimes I need to pick him up, there are situations that I need to pick him up :P

GsdLoverr729 · 01-07-2013, 04:36 PM

Such as?
He is likely growling because he's having fun, and being picked up interrupts that fun.

Speedy2662 · 01-07-2013, 04:38 PM

Do you never pick up your puppies?

Well, there are situations like when my mum washed the floor and I come from outside and he has dirty paws, to get him in the bathtub to wash his paws, etc. Most of the times he isn't really playing, as I usually pick him up for a few seconds.

GsdLoverr729 · 01-07-2013, 04:47 PM

I stopped picking Koda up around twelve weeks, aside from when she got hurt or sick. I'm sure someone else can give you an answer better than mine, if you aren't interrupting what he's doing.
He may also be becoming more independent, which would make being picked up unpleasant.

Sunflowers · 01-07-2013, 05:21 PM

The dog growling is a clear communication on his part that he doesn't like what you're doing. Stop picking him up. He will grow to be 50 pounds and is not a toy breed you can carry around with you.

**gsdraven** · 01-07-2013, 05:27 PM

If you have to pick him up, just hold him until he stops. His reward is simply being put down and only comes after he's calm. He shouldn't be put down when growling or trying to get away.

I am not typically of a fan of doing things just because I can but sometimes it is necessary to be able to handle a dog in ways they don't like. I do occasionally pick up Holly for no reason but it's because she had major issues being handled at all as a pup and fortunately, she's tiny.

huntergreen · 01-07-2013, 06:06 PM

i am not understanding why the puppy should not be picked up. can some one explain.

Kyleigh · 01-07-2013, 06:09 PM

Adam, there is no reason to pick up your puppy. NONE! If you need to bring him to another part of the house and he has dirty paws, this is the perfect time to teach him some patience, and that getting paws cleaned is fun. Have a towel at the door and have him stand and take each paw in your hand and clean it off with a towel.

Be sure to praise / reward him when you're done.

I started doing that with Kyleigh when she was really young, and now when she comes in, she just stops on the mat and waits.

Since he knows how to shake a paw - you're halfway there!!!

01-07-2013, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	Puppy growls when picked up Hi! Recently Zack started growling when I pick him up, and after a second he is calming himself. I tried to give him a treat after he stops growling, but that doesn't show too much of effect. What can I do? PS. I am going to puppy training classes on Wednesday and there are behaviour specialists there, so I'll ask them too for help, but for now I would love some help from everyone here. Thanks __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

01-07-2013, 04:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
GsdLoverr729 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Ga, USA Posts: 3,179	Why are you picking him up? O.o __________________ Kymmey http://KaohzandKumatz.yolasite.com Mom To~ Dakoda (b/t GSD), Simi (b/w DSH), Nashoba (sable GSD)

01-07-2013, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	Sometimes I need to pick him up, there are situations that I need to pick him up :P __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

01-07-2013, 04:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
GsdLoverr729 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Ga, USA Posts: 3,179	Such as? He is likely growling because he's having fun, and being picked up interrupts that fun. __________________ Kymmey http://KaohzandKumatz.yolasite.com Mom To~ Dakoda (b/t GSD), Simi (b/w DSH), Nashoba (sable GSD)

01-07-2013, 04:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	Do you never pick up your puppies? Well, there are situations like when my mum washed the floor and I come from outside and he has dirty paws, to get him in the bathtub to wash his paws, etc. Most of the times he isn't really playing, as I usually pick him up for a few seconds. __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

01-07-2013, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
GsdLoverr729 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Ga, USA Posts: 3,179	I stopped picking Koda up around twelve weeks, aside from when she got hurt or sick. I'm sure someone else can give you an answer better than mine, if you aren't interrupting what he's doing. He may also be becoming more independent, which would make being picked up unpleasant. __________________ Kymmey http://KaohzandKumatz.yolasite.com Mom To~ Dakoda (b/t GSD), Simi (b/w DSH), Nashoba (sable GSD)

01-07-2013, 05:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sunflowers Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 4,660	The dog growling is a clear communication on his part that he doesn't like what you're doing. Stop picking him up. He will grow to be 50 pounds and is not a toy breed you can carry around with you. __________________ Norden von Narnia--Hans, dob 1-15-2012 http://pdgf.pitapata.com/uC6lm4.png

01-07-2013, 05:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 5,416	If you have to pick him up, just hold him until he stops. His reward is simply being put down and only comes after he's calm. He shouldn't be put down when growling or trying to get away. I am not typically of a fan of doing things just because I can but sometimes it is necessary to be able to handle a dog in ways they don't like. I do occasionally pick up Holly for no reason but it's because she had major issues being handled at all as a pup and fortunately, she's tiny. __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Holly (GSD) - March 24, 2011 Best Paw Forward Life's Abundance

01-07-2013, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
huntergreen Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,197	i am not understanding why the puppy should not be picked up. can some one explain.

01-07-2013, 06:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kyleigh Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,315	Adam, there is no reason to pick up your puppy. NONE! If you need to bring him to another part of the house and he has dirty paws, this is the perfect time to teach him some patience, and that getting paws cleaned is fun. Have a towel at the door and have him stand and take each paw in your hand and clean it off with a towel. Be sure to praise / reward him when you're done. I started doing that with Kyleigh when she was really young, and now when she comes in, she just stops on the mat and waits. Since he knows how to shake a paw - you're halfway there!!! __________________ Marion’s Zoo-Kyleigh, London-cat, Echo-TAG, Ellie-Quaker; www.marionsquilts.com

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