Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 20:09     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP I get it. Our last dog had so many triggers and we were bitten multiple times. I've been paranoid that our current dog is going to develop aggressive behaviors. However, he's 4 now and the sweetest goof ball ever. The interesting thing is that our current dog is a pit mix and our last dog was a spaniel. I guess it just goes to show that aggressive tendencies are not breed related!


What kind of spaniel?

I'm going to guess it was a cocker. Decades of careless backyard breeding has made for a lot of problematic cockers. 'Happy not yappy' isn't the norm anymore and it is indeed a shame .
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 19:13     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:OP I get it. Our last dog had so many triggers and we were bitten multiple times. I've been paranoid that our current dog is going to develop aggressive behaviors. However, he's 4 now and the sweetest goof ball ever. The interesting thing is that our current dog is a pit mix and our last dog was a spaniel. I guess it just goes to show that aggressive tendencies are not breed related!


What kind of spaniel?
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:25     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:OP I get it. Our last dog had so many triggers and we were bitten multiple times. I've been paranoid that our current dog is going to develop aggressive behaviors. However, he's 4 now and the sweetest goof ball ever. The interesting thing is that our current dog is a pit mix and our last dog was a spaniel. I guess it just goes to show that aggressive tendencies are not breed related!


Aggressive behavior toward humans is rare in most dogs who haven't been abused/neglected. All breeds of dogs have evolved as human companions.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:24     Subject: Re:I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
My dogs will growl while playing tug-of-war. I had a lab mix I trained to growl on command, but it wasn't scary at all because every time she growled, she'd blep. The derpface/blep totally killed any intimidation factor to anyone who could see her. Still useful on the other side of a door, I guess... She was a delightful meatball of a dog.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:22     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:Growls are polite warnings. What's scarier is when a dog doesn't growl and attacks. It might just be you haven't done anything yet that displeases him.


Incorrect. A growl is a last-ditch warning. There are all kinds of "polite" warnings that are quiet. Watch the dog's ears, eyes, posture, panting/lip-licking, etc. Humans who don't understand the body language of dogs and get all the way to a growl (or worse) are part of the problem.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 12:59     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Growls are polite warnings. What's scarier is when a dog doesn't growl and attacks. It might just be you haven't done anything yet that displeases him.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 12:56     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Our 12 lb dog growls on the regular, but he’s part Bichon and apparently they have a protective side. He gets mad when he hears other dogs in the neighborhood barking or the mailman comes by or a garbage trucks rolls down the street.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 12:47     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
OP I get it. Our last dog had so many triggers and we were bitten multiple times. I've been paranoid that our current dog is going to develop aggressive behaviors. However, he's 4 now and the sweetest goof ball ever. The interesting thing is that our current dog is a pit mix and our last dog was a spaniel. I guess it just goes to show that aggressive tendencies are not breed related!
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 14:00     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:My dog is 5 and has growled twice. Once was at an unleashed dog running towards DS and another was at a plastic bag stuck on the fence and blowing in the wind.


Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 14:00     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:Why would your dog develop an aggressive side, that’s weird. I’ve heard my doodle growl one time ever and she’s seven years old.


What a stupid comment
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 12:45     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Anonymous wrote:My 50lbs dog growls and barks when he encounters dogs bigger than he is. He's insecure He's particularly xenophobic against German Shepherds.

But since I know this, I can prepare, hold onto the leash, scan the area quickly for side streets, etc.

Don't worry, OP.


Ha, my 55 lber is also breedist against German Shepherds. Bernese, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs...all bigger and likes those fine, whatever vibe the Shepherds are putting out he hates.

Op, its fine if not preferable you don't have a growler.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 12:03     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
My 50lbs dog growls and barks when he encounters dogs bigger than he is. He's insecure He's particularly xenophobic against German Shepherds.

But since I know this, I can prepare, hold onto the leash, scan the area quickly for side streets, etc.

Don't worry, OP.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 12:00     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Why would your dog develop an aggressive side, that’s weird. I’ve heard my doodle growl one time ever and she’s seven years old.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:59     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
My dog is 5 and has growled twice. Once was at an unleashed dog running towards DS and another was at a plastic bag stuck on the fence and blowing in the wind.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2025 11:57     Subject: I’ve only seen my dog growl maybe once or twice
Is that typical? I keep wondering when she’ll grow an aggressive side. But nothing. She’s a year old now.

Our last dog, a rescue, had many triggers, so I’m sensitive to having another dog who has aggressive tendencies.