samoyed growling

[bucilla]

hi we have a 14 month old male samoyed called storm we have had him from 6 weeks
he has been neutered and in every way apart from one is very well behaved
he sits lies and has almost 100% recall we are still working on that.

but we went away for a camping weekend and to a canal festival and over the weekend he must have been stroked by hundreds of people he has allway been happy to have attenshion and never seemed aggresive.

but on the sunday he began to growl at certian people not every one but one peson we know he growled when he was stroking his head and when he did not stop he snaped at him he did not make contact and i thought it was just because he was fed up of all the fuss .
so on the monday i did not allow anyone to fuss him and he seemed back to his usual freindly self but a couple of time since we have been home he has groweld at my son age 13 and to my yougist girl age 8 we have said ahh ahh very sternly and removed him to another roon for a few minutis but im worried that there is a bigger problem . have i got a problem of is he just telling us to leave him alone any help would be greatly appresheated.

yours colette

[lassie]

hi, he hasn't been bitten on the head had he? VERY UNUSUAL FOR A SAMMIE

[sarabe]

Yep, he's telling you to leave him alone. Whatever you do don't tell him off for growling or he'll become one of the many dogs that bites without warning.

Listen to what he is telling you. He isn't happy about something. Whenever a dog does something that is out of character then you need to eliminate any physical cause although I would probably guess it is to do with all the attention that he got on the camping weekend. He may have enjoyed it to start with but I have to say I would have got a bit fed up with it eventually if I was him. :?

[bucilla]

funnaly enought on the sunday night he had a little shall we say altercation with my brother in laws husky we didnt think much of it as he seemed fine just a bit shocked but this did happen after he started to growel
and when we got home and i was grooming him i found 3 little marks on his head
but i do think it was because hed had enought of all the fuss.
its just realy hard trying to get people to understand that just because he looks like a big teddy hes still a dog that needs his space.

i have talked to my two kids that he groweled at and they seem to understand and he hasnt groweled at them for a few days.
im starting to be a bit firmer with people we meet about not fussing him to much, but i do go camping a lot and dont want to never let anyone say hello to him again.
so we are rewarding him when he is introdused to new people and it seems to be going okay but i must admit i am still a little unsure im doing the right thing.

thankyou colette

[lassie]

i have never seen a bad tempered sammie ever. Maybe it was the altercation with the other dog. :cry:

[snowallen]

it really is unusual to have a snappy sammy :(

maybe a trip to the vet may be in order to rule out any infection that may be causing him pain. I know someone whos dog suddenly started growling at judges and people who stroked his head but it turned out he had a severe ear infection :(

[bucilla]

we went to the vet as soon as we came home and he was fine
have had a chat with a behaivourist and hes given me some good advice
and thinks it may be be more to do with being dominant and just trying to get his own way probable because he was taken from his litter mates a bit to early.
so with a bit of careful posative training we will hopefully get this under control
colette :)

[snowallen]

***Copied from the SAMFANS LIST with permission***

A new Samoyed yahoo group has been formed regarding Samoyed Temperament
(info below). This discussion forum is not meant to replace any other
existing and valuable Samoyed yahoo group(s). This list is meant for help
regarding Samoyed Temperament - sharing of concerns, sharing of experiences
or techniques, when answers aren't known to hopefully be able to assist by
guiding to links, etc. on the internet or to someone in the person's area.
This group, also, came about to offer a resource for those coming to the
(future) SCA Health Foundation - RE: Samoyed Temperament - Aggression or
Shyness.



We welcome any of you who have experience with Samoyed Temperament issues or
concerns with your Sams and others who would simply like to learn.



Click on the link below to join.



*****************************

SAMOYED TEMPERAMENT



To join this group go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/samoyed_temperament/

NOTE: This group has only recently become active (October 2006).

A discussion forum regarding Samoyed temperament with special emphasis on
shyness, timid, fearful and aggression. This mailing list is for all Samoyed
owners, breeders or medical professionals, who would like to share signs and
symptoms, causes (environmental, genetic, etc.), current research, risk
factors, diagnostic tests (screening tests or definitive tests), treatment
(preferably with references), management tips (living with shyness or
aggression), links, etc.

This list is a place where people can, and are encouraged to, share their
stories (experiences).



Co-Owners and Co-Moderators: Helen Newman and Debbie Baird

************************




Hope this helps :wink:

Jessie

[bucilla]

thanks i joined the group just befor it went live and have had some great advice
yours colette :)