For a little while now, my 5-month-old puppy has been growling at me when he's lying down and I want him to move elsewhere. Let me explain.
Sometimes when we're back from a walk, just before going through the front door of my flat, my dog lies down and refuses to budge. Usually, I use a treat or something he likes to get him moving, but sometimes it doesn't work and he refuses to come inside because he's quite happy where he is.
As a result, I'm left with no choice but to carry him, but when I do, he starts growling quite loudly at me and mouths my arm. He doesn't hurt me, but I think it's a warning, like he's saying "Put me down right now!".
I have to admit, I burst out laughing every time because he really looks like a fussy little kid having a tantrum, which means sometimes I can't even pick him up because I've got no strength left from laughing. Anyway, that's just a side note.
So, I'm wondering:
- Knowing that I can't just give in to His Lordship's demands, could this turn into aggression over time? I mean, is there a risk he might actually bite me one day?
For context, I think I have a really good relationship with my pup; I play with him a lot and I respect him as a dog. I think we have a great bond, so there we go :)
Thanks for your help!
Translated from French
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Look, if he’s stuck in the middle (blocking the way), wouldn't it be better to just tell him to move using a hand signal? With mine, the command is 'out'. He needs to have that nailed down. If he doesn’t get it at first, you can clap your hands to get his focus. You really shouldn't have to physically push him...
Spot on, you shouldn't have to push him. As soon as you move forward, he should already be getting out of the way. I’m with Docline on this – it’s a bit of a battle of wills.
You can try a few different things and see what works. Is he still on the lead when you come inside? A slip lead is a great tool in lots of situations to get them to give way. You can stand right in front, then move to the side and give a gentle tug on the lead. If he takes a step forward, you've won the battle. Then just release the tension with every step and keep at it until you’ve won the war ;)
But he has to understand that you're the one calling the shots and learn to follow your lead. Otherwise, you end up negotiating, which I don't think goes down well when it comes to dog training...
It’s true, it’s a simple thing really, but if he’s positioned correctly on the lead you can easily make sure he doesn’t push past you at the door. Hben’s advice seems really well-suited to this dog.
Don't try this if your dog is extremely timid or if the bond between you isn't great, but otherwise, you can just go for it when you get home without any hesitation (I imagine you’ve started to hesitate a bit lately, haven't you?). Walk into your home ahead of him—keep him at your side in the hallway or the lobby until you reach your door. Don't let him sprawl out in front of the entrance before you get there so that you end up having to step over him to get into the flat; you want to avoid that. So, you go in first and then invite him in. If he doesn't follow within two or three seconds (no longer!), say something like "suit yourself", making sure he’s looking at you and can hear you, and then shut the door. Normally, he’ll start barking or get a bit worried. Open the door again immediately, but only a crack so he can't quite get in yet, and tell him to "sit". Once he does, tell him to come in again. He shouldn't need asking twice, and that should stop him from pulling the same stunt in the future.
Actually, if you only rely on redirection, the message isn't clear to the dog that they should defer to the human.
For instance, if one of my dogs is being too impatient, I never let them go out ahead of me. I only open the door once they’ve shown they are calm and respectful, so they follow behind. Don’t think they’ll take offence; on the contrary, a dog is reassured when their owner takes the lead and decides what is or isn't appropriate for them to do.
Look, in a situation where he’s just standing right in the middle (blocking the way), surely it’s better to ask him to move and use a hand signal at the same time? With mine, the command is “out”. He really needs to have that down. If he doesn't get it at first, you can clap your hands to get him to focus better.
"Bursting out laughing"? Well, your puppy won't have a clue what you're asking of him. Laughter is a uniquely human trait. Docline is spot on—it’s up to you to be gentle but firm. A puppy is just like a child; he shouldn't be the one calling the shots.
If I’ve understood correctly, you’re only considering two options when your dog is being stubborn: tempting him with a treat or picking him up.
Forget both of those!
- Treats should only be used as a reward for good behaviour, not as a bribe.
- You should only carry a dog if they’re injured or a puppy that can’t manage stairs yet; otherwise, a dog should live with its paws on the ground like normal.
You need to make sure your puppy follows your lead.
To get him back inside, just walk slowly towards him, standing tall, until your feet touch him and you gently nudge him forward. You absolutely have to take the time to win this little battle of wills – you can't let a 5-month-old puppy rule the roost!
Maybe he just wants to make the walk last a bit longer; you've probably seen those videos of dogs flopping down in the middle of the road because they don't want to go back home! ^^
You should try to associate coming home with playtime and a little session once you're back in.
If you keep picking him up to get him home, he might eventually end up nipping.
You've got to be more stubborn than he is! ^^
