My Goldie has started to growl at other dogs

My goldie has never growled (only when partner was walking up the garden in the dark with a hoodie on) when were out on a walk now he wants to get to the dogs even more than usual and then will start growling at them. So this then sets the other dog off and start jumping around each other.

The other day partner popped back to the car and left me with Dougal and my son, this lab came running over off lead to Dougal who was on a lead and then it all started and they were in between my son couldn't get them away from each other.

Why do you think he is suddenly doing this. Shocked me the first time he did it. Seams to be with all dogs.

Do you think it would be protectiveness? He has growled at the front door when we were coming home in the dark one day,and when someone delivered a newspaper, he has never done that before either.

And how do I stop him from doing this (not people coming to the door though as I dont mind that) hes been a rubbish guard dog before just stands there looking at them!!!

I was out yesterday and he wears a halti as he is too strong for me without it, and there was a dog so I put him to a short lead so he could hardly move away from me and told him to 'leave' and kept him walking away from the dog.

Thanks

ETA he is nearly 1 year old

Is this with male dogs or all dogs? If with male, it may well be hormonal - if with all dogs including neutered and female, it could be based on fear (eg fear of being approached whilst on lead and not able to get away).

The lab running over sounds as if it could cause any dog to react, unless very highly trained indeed. I would guess it was a male lab?

It may be your own dog needs more socialising (in a very proactive, positive way and associating other dogs/people with high value food and toys).

Just a few thoughts, but it may be best to get a reputable trainer to take a look - try www.apdt.co.uk for some hands on help

Hi Stephi it sounds to me as if your dog is growing up out of the puppy stage, the growling could be due to a number of things including fear or being defensives.

What do you do when he growls, pull tightly at the lead, speak to him in a sharp tone? When you meet other dogs it is best to try not to pull on the lead and keep your tone of voice bright and confident, don't forget to praise your dog if he behaves well when meeting other dogs.

I agree with Wysiwyg that more socialising and training would be helpful too.
You may find this article of use too..
http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=8050

He is much better with other dogs when he is off his lead then on it so the fear might be one reason. Hasn't been off lead and near a dog since this growling started so im not sure what he would do now.

Not sure if it is all dogs or only male dogs.

When he does it I try to keep walking and call him and encourage him to leave them alone. Tone of voice is normal calling voice(slightly raised) I will bring him in closer to me but I am now thinking this is wrong as he will then try and turn around and get all jumpy as I am trying to walk away.

He is getting more and more 'exciteable' so I think he has alot of hormones going around too!

He is very good with his commands and a very good dog apart from the dog issue now, which he hasn't had alot of socialising with lots of differnt dogs. He is fine with my MIL dog when we stay at hers once a month, just strange dogs.

Thanks for your suggestions I want to take him to training classes now. I was going to when he was younger but then they canceled the session and there wasn't any other training classes I could fit in(I have a young son and didn't drive) I can drive now so that makes it much easier. I will start ringing around and attened one.

Hi Stephi a lot of dogs are often much better with other dogs when they are off the lead because they are free to exercise their 'flight response' if need be.

If your dog is not well socialised with other dogs he may not be able to read their body language so can't tell if they are friendly or pose a threat, so all he can do is growl to put them off , on a lead there is no escape.


The good thing about puppy classes is a puppy learns to read other dogs body language and how to handle perceived threats in a safe environment.
You really need to let your dog meet and 'speak' to as many friendly dogs as he can to build his confidence and always praise him when he greets them well .