New Puppy Growling at Your Husband

Today we are going to use the example of how your new puppy dog growling affects the new relationship and provide some tips to help work through that issue.

You may be thinking, “well, how is growling” acting out of fear?

Remember fear is at the root and the growling is the protective mechanism that the puppy dog puts forth to try and protect itself. 🐶

Here is where you come in.

Now when I refer to “you”, I am speaking first to the family member that your new puppy dog does not growl at.

You are going to be the one, in the beginning, working with your new puppy to help train them over their fear, which in turn will help with the growling.

Let’s use this scenario to walk you through the training. Let’s say that your new puppy dog growls at your husband and any male that walks in the house.

First, you will want to create a fast bond with your new puppy dog, which will not take long, perhaps only 24 hours or less, because you are introducing your new puppy dog to a new environment, a new home, and a new life.

Your new puppy dog will look to you for food, a new place to sleep, and all the love and reassurance you can give. Fast Bond!

Enter your husband. Your new puppy dog assumes a defensive posture.

Be present and aware of your puppy dog’s body language.

Hair may stand up on the back of the neck, called “Hackles”.

Your puppy dog may lower their head and maybe even appear to bow a bit, but then comes the growl.

Husband, please exit. 

The purpose of that exercise is for you to experience the body language of your puppy dog and be aware of your present moment state, which is very important.

All of this can take about 5 minutes. So don’t think you are spending hours in a training session.

Since you created the bond with your new puppy, then you will purposely be planning the training sessions.

Keep them short and make sure your new puppy dog’s fear does not escalate.

The goal is to teach your new puppy dog that your husband is no one to be afraid of and will eventually learn to trust and love.

Remember dogs only have two major emotions at the root, Love and Fear.

That will play an important part in this training.

Your new puppy dog loves you but is fearful of males/husband/boyfriend. Whatever the situation is.

So the setup goes like this.

Perhaps an evening at home. You’ve fed your puppy dog. You and your husband have had dinner and you settle in for the training session.

Have a bag of your puppy dogs favorite treats VERY CLOSE to you when you sit on the sofa.

Have your husband come and sit down, but not close to you.

Watch your puppy dog's body language. You will need to be very present, don’t get distracted.

Don't pay any attention to your husband yet, no talking.

As soon as your husband sits down, with you totally focused on your puppy dog, and before your puppy dog has time to respond with a growl you give a treat and tell your puppy dog how good they are.Praise!

At that moment you have his "front brain" attention.

Wait a minute and you will see and feel him slip into back brain-this is fight or flight.

As soon as there is a hint of a growl it's a "no" or "don't".

Be consistent with this. It’s either “no” or “don’t”.

As soon as he looks at you (this is front brain) you give him a treat and praise!

This is also a "timing" thing with the treat and praise.

You do not want to treat in the middle of the growl or your puppy will be confused and think it will get praised for growling.

Stay focused.

The idea is to let your puppy dog know that you are in control.

If your puppy dog responds well to the “no” and the “treat” have your husband slide a little closer to you but not right next to you.

This might cause your puppy dog to growl because he now feels he needs to protect you.

WRONG!!

Repeat the process of the “no” and “praise”.

Now if he continues to growl have your husband move back to the starting point.

Pause.

Read your puppy dog’s body language.

Feel their energy.

Praise and treat if you feel your puppy dog relax.