Dog people, please explain this

[Anonymous]

We dogsit an approx 10 year old male dog who is not fixed. At night, this dog growls at my husband. Only at night, and only my husband. The dog will run to my husband and get into the crouch he does when he's going to be pet, and let my husband pet him, all while growling at the same time. Or my husband will get ready to walk him, and the dog is growling while husband puts the leash on. I wonder if he was abused as a puppy by someone who looks like my husband? But then why is the dog fine during the day?

[Anonymous]

Is it an aggressive growl or a play growl? Our dog gets so excited sometimes that he growls in an effort to rile everyone up for fun. Because walks! And balls! And scratches! Dog is more excitable in the evenings, so you hear it more then.

Why don't you ask the owner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it an aggressive growl or a play growl? Our dog gets so excited sometimes that he growls in an effort to rile everyone up for fun. Because walks! And balls! And scratches! Dog is more excitable in the evenings, so you hear it more then.

Why don't you ask the owner?

We did ask the owner but they didn't know.

[Anonymous]

Our dog "talks" to us every evening when we arrive home by growling while running around with a toy in her mouth. We have had her since she was 8 weeks old so no abuse. She is just vocal in the evenings that she is happy to see us.

He may just be communicating his excitement, especially if he easily comes to your husband, allows him to put his leash on, etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree it doesn't sound like a mean growl, rather a happy one.

[Anonymous]

My dog gets very scared of random things at night that she's not scared of during the say. Large stationary objects, people in hats, all weird things. I think her sight isn't as good as her sniffer and the shadows freak her out.

Also, like 12:41, our dog talks to us at night. I think she's asking to go to bed.

[Anonymous]

Is it really a growl? Sometimes dogs make noises that sound like growls that are really affection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it an aggressive growl or a play growl? Our dog gets so excited sometimes that he growls in an effort to rile everyone up for fun. Because walks! And balls! And scratches! Dog is more excitable in the evenings, so you hear it more then.

Why don't you ask the owner?

We did ask the owner but they didn't know.

Is the dog's tail wagging while he is "growling"? then obviously a play growl.

[Anonymous]

Is it a growl or a groan? Our 9yo shepherd has taken to groaning loudly, particularly in the evenings. We all think it's pretty funny--we'll be talking and then, all the way from his mat, he inserts a groan right in the middle of the dinner convo.

[Anonymous]

We have two German Shepherds and a Malinois. My Mal “growls” when she gets attention or when she is excited. It’s not really a growl. It’s more like grunting. My GSDs don’t do it. Are you sure the dog is growling, OP? Teeth showing? Hair standing? Licking lips? Hard stare? Low tail? Any other sign of aggression? Typically crouching is playful behavior.

[Anonymous]

Op here. It really does not seem like a playful growl. Sometimes he will growl while allowing himself to be pet, but sometimes he resists. For example, sometimes husband will need to take him on a walk after the dog has gotten himself cozily snugged up with one of the kids going to sleep and the dog will growl and pull back, not wanting to leave the bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. It really does not seem like a playful growl. Sometimes he will growl while allowing himself to be pet, but sometimes he resists. For example, sometimes husband will need to take him on a walk after the dog has gotten himself cozily snugged up with one of the kids going to sleep and the dog will growl and pull back, not wanting to leave the bed.

Also, no wagging tail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. It really does not seem like a playful growl. Sometimes he will growl while allowing himself to be pet, but sometimes he resists. For example, sometimes husband will need to take him on a walk after the dog has gotten himself cozily snugged up with one of the kids going to sleep and the dog will growl and pull back, not wanting to leave the bed.

Also, no wagging tail.

I would not let this dog sleep with your kids!

This doesn't sound playful or talkative, it sounds like he's warning your DH away from him. While in bed with your kid. Not a good setup at all.

How much longer is this dogsitting gig?

[Anonymous]

I’m a big dog person but I don’t think I’d let a dog cuddle up with my kids if I didn’t 100% have a handle on their dog psychology and whether/when they are upset/angry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. It really does not seem like a playful growl. Sometimes he will growl while allowing himself to be pet, but sometimes he resists. For example, sometimes husband will need to take him on a walk after the dog has gotten himself cozily snugged up with one of the kids going to sleep and the dog will growl and pull back, not wanting to leave the bed.

Also, no wagging tail.

Dog does not view your husband as holding a position above him in the social hierarchy. Dog may escalate if pushed. Do you have the same issue removing the dog from the bed, or will he jump down on command for you? Does he ever growl at you when you touch him? I would not dogsit this particular animal.