Another newbie question... Growling

[Bellamum]

 hi Everyone, back again (spot the new dog owner!) thanks for all the advice so far. I just wondered if people had any tips to nip growing in the bud before it becomes a problem. Bella doesn't growl at anyone it has only just started happening when she grabs something she shouldnt have and we try to take it off her. We try to 'swop'it for something more appealing so as not to get into a tug of war and and we make her sit for toys occasionally rather than grab to avoid possessiveness but the things she Really wants are the things she shouldnt have (and we do try so hard to keep things ourlt the way. That's our responsibility I know)and sometimes for safety's have to take them back quickly.

Any tips?

Thanks

[daw]

If you stop your dog growling how can she let you know when she's uncomfortable? Dogs growl to say don't threaten me, back, off don't attack me. If you ignore it they show their teeth. If you ignore that they have only one thing left to do and that's nip you.

She's a tiny thing faced with a big person.

[MIN]

use a toy or treat. get her to sit and place the toy/ treat on the floor within your grab . as you remove your hand use the "leave" command. if she moves toward it pick it  up. get her to sit, place it back with "leave". keep doing it until she sits and waits for you to let her have it. might take a while but knowing spaniels she will soon learn.
 this will not stop her growling ( dogs do) but it will put you in a better position to control what she picks up. But remember commands always need reinforcing . Gemma will not eat biscuits off her paws when told to leave them. we make this cruel game a daily chore for her 

[Bellamum]

Thanks,  yes  I definitely appreciate is her natural warning system and you're right I don't want her to not use it,  guess I more meant how not to feed into the ' game ' with her when I actually want her to leave something.  Thanks again I'll try that tip

[sodpot2000]

With time you will get to know the difference between the play growl and the serious one. The play growl is just part of the game of make believe "Look how big and fierce I am". Some dogs are naturally very vocal and will grumble and rumble away just by way of joining in with the conversation rather than any aggression. Dogs teach us a lot. Whether I have managed to teach anything to any of mine is another issue!

[Patp]

Jinley is a play growler.  Lie on the floor and she will bring toys, bones etc and put them into your hands whilst growling for you to "take them off her" - her eyes are normal and there is no snarling.  I also "growl" with her.

On the few occasions that I have heard her growl as a warning, her body language changes first so that the situation can be controlled or avoided totally.

[MaggieR]

Lots of good advise One more thing I did that you could find helpful - if she has something that she shouldn't have - make a decision as to whether or not its dangerous for her or not - if its not, get her to give it to you for a treat and then give it back... so she starts to realise you're not always just taking things from her.  Do it a few times and trust me she will get bored of what was previously something very exciting!  Half the fun is in the "I shouldn't have this...."