Author Topic: Growling at visitors  (Read 1218 times)

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Offline Amethyst

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Growling at visitors
« on: August 25, 2018, 07:41:51 PM »
Hi all, we have a red cocker spaniel, previously a kennel dog from a breeder, she had one litter. She was 2 when we got her and is now 5. She is chilled and relaxed when my husband and I are around but as soon as any visitors come. She shakes and growls - fear aggression I am sure. she is very hard to calm down. she is ok as long as they don't move around. I have put her in her crate with a blanket over sometimes. I feel she is acting as a guard dog, is this possible, I know fear aggression is a hard thing to treat. Then she goes to the door to make sure they have gone, her whole body language changes when they go. she has unfortunately missed out on being socialised with people and dogs earlier in life, I wonder if this has a lot to do with it. I was thinking of trying a mekuti calming band for her. I think I get a bit worked up when anyone visits, I am frightened of her nipping out of fear.

Any help would be appreciated

Offline elaine.e

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Re: Growling at visitors
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2018, 08:46:01 PM »
It certainly sounds like fear, and growling is definitely a warning that she doesn't like what's happening, which could potentially escalate to biting if her growls aren't taken into account, for instance by continuing to put her in that situation, when she just can't cope with it.

Could you simply find her a place in the house where she can feel safe and relaxed when visitors are with you? A different room with a cosy bed and the radio on and maybe a filled kong or a long lasting chew to help distract her? Chewing releases endorphins, so if you can do something like that she may be able to relax at least a little. It will take the pressure off her and off you too.

I think that having her in the same room as visitors (if I've understood what you've posted) makes her completely unable to cope, and makes a miserable time for all of you I would imagine, and potentially dangerous for your visitors too.

There's no shame in explaining to your visitors that she's nervous and feels safer and happier if she doesn't have to meet them or be near them. One of my two is nervous of people he doesn't know so I put both dogs in a room with a babygate across the door when visitors arrive and then remove the gate once the visitors have settled. My dogs then have a choice, and if the anxious one chooses to stay away from the visitors that's fine by me. It means he's had the choice of where to be and has decided that he's more comfortable away from the visitors, which in turn means he's able to act calmly.

Offline Amethyst

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Re: Growling at visitors
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2018, 10:24:12 AM »
 Hi Elaine Thankyou for your very helpful reply. I will try this, she is a very highly strung dog, so I am not relaxed when anyone visits, so I think I am passing my anxiety on to her maybe.
Its just managing the situation. I have wondered whether she would be more happier with another dog, but it will have to be the right dog - a very chilled one.

Thankyou again

Online MIN

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Re: Growling at visitors
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2018, 10:04:26 PM »
with another dog it could go either way . you could end up with two anxious dogs. 
Run free and fly high my beautiful Gemma
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Offline Leo0106

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Re: Growling at visitors
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2018, 07:32:37 AM »
Our dog gets anxious meeting new people when out and about, specifically children, he dosnt get nervous about everyone, just some people, so if he does when we are out we ask the person to stand away from him and throw a treat in his direction so he knows they are not a threat.
We also take note of body language (ask people to approach him side on rather than face to face, not making prolonged eye contact etc) as its has a huge effect on how he reacts.
Might not help you but maybe if your cocker can learn to know that people coming into the house are not a threat by using treats or toys she might not feel the need to guard