Is it normal to have a puppy growl everytime she plays and also when you reprimand her for doing something you don't want her to do (ie: chewing on the furniture, going where you don't want her). we have another dog that we would like to keep the dominant in the pack because she was "here first" but the puppy growls at her too. the other dog will push her around with her nose and get her on her back. what is this telling the puppy. with the puppy growling, is this an aggressive trait or is this normal. any and all advice would be so much appreciated. what should we do if she growls, will she grow out of this or will we need a trainer eventually. the puppy is 12 weeks old and the other is a 4 year old lab. thank you so much.

What ytopu have to decide is the difference between playful vocalisation, as a lot of pups make growly noises when they play. Also if your reprimands are too harsh for a sensitive pup it may growl defensively, but still show the other signs of submission.

What your older dog is doing is perfectly normal, and if it is effective (stops the pup being a pain, and gets it to show respectful submission) then take a leaf from the older dogs book, and observe. this will help you get the discipline thing right, as obviously a dog will undewrstand the other dogs signals best.

You must be firm and consistent. When you give a command you must be convinced that you will be obeyed. this conveys authority and confidence which the pups instincts will be designed to respond to by accepting you as above it in the scheme of things. Unfortunately not being conversant with dog language we often send our dogs very conflicting messages.

Labcrazy

This is perfectly normal behaviour. Your puppy and older lady will sort out for themselves who is the leader of the pack - at their level. They should both see you as the leader overall. While you may wish your older girl to be the leader this may not actually happen. You cannot dictate who will and will not be boss between them.

You do need to show your new pup that you are the boss though and if you say no it means no. She should not growl at you - but she needs to learn that you are the overall boss. Be firm and confident with her. If she growls - growl a very firm "no" back as you move her. avoid eye contact while you do this as it is confrontational.

hth

Pam n the boys

forgot to say, it is people that normally require training classes the most :D The aim of the training is for the trainer to teach you to understand, communicate and train your pup effectively. for the dog it provides a distracting environment, and socialisation.

Get him to classes as soon as he is allowed out.

Thank you so much for your advice. we have a facility around us that offers cheaper training classes and will enroll the both of us as soon as possible. when is the best age to enroll a puppy in classes? i have reprimanded her with the "no's" and put her into another room and hope that this is only a phase. any other advice would be handy as well. thank you all again.