I know puppies can get a little growly when they're little and playing but I thought I'd get some opinions. We met a 6 month old lab today who almost immediately went from saying hello to my 18 week girl to standing over her and growling, a lot of growling and nipping around the neck. She was on her back. The guy was laughing (sounded a little nervous) and saying "oh, she's too little to play rough" to his dog. I was pulling him off her. Caoimhe ran right back over to him so didn't seem to put off.

I'm just curious. My big boy isn't exactly normal, he's so incredibly laid back he never, ever growled when he was a puppy - still doesn't. Caoimhe did but stopped at around 9 weeks. Do you all think that's normal?

In a word yes! Depends on their character really, you should see mine play rough! Sometimes it sounds like murder, but it is all safe. I suppose he was playing and not aggressive?

My goldie is not vocal in any manner, he never growls or barks but I have come across other dogs who are vocal and rough in play by nipping and growling, Have one friend who lab nips the back of the others dogs legs to encourage play

I have bred a dog who is a talker and sounds like he is growling, but all his other body language shows that he is playing or seeking affection.  He will roll on his back with stupid grin on his face and growl his head off.

He has one favourite Friend at shows who he greets by leaping up to her face with paws on shoulders and growling fiercely, but his tail goes madly and she loves it.

I have taught him not to do this in the Ring though :D

His hackles were up Dawn but I'd like to think he was playing - just jumped into hyper-excited mode immediately.

>He will roll on his back with stupid grin on his face and growl his head off.<

What a character! I can just see him, you must laugh your head off.

>I have taught him not to do this in the Ring though<

Well it would be one way to see off the competition! :-D

I would be careful.  My Anton had a slightly older Spanish as a friend and this other dog used to play rough with Anton but at the time Anton didn't seem to bothered but now he hates other big dogs especially males.  I'm 99% sure that it was due to the rough play of the other dog in his early days and I'll never allow it to happen again with another pup. 

Hmmm, I see, I would keep a good eye on ALL play and stop it before it gets too rough! Sometimes I feel males are almost 'allowed' to play too rough, which is ok-ish when they are small, but CAN make them a bit more 'reactive' with strange dogs(or even home dogs I suppose, I step in as soon as one of them is getting a bit brassed off with rough play) I think if you give him boundaries that he knows he can't cross, then he will learn it doesn't pay to get too wound up. The trouble is that dogs are quite vocal anyway aren't they? A lot of it is the way they communicate...Storm almost barks, growls and howls all at the same time when she's got her favourite toy in her mouth and wants you to play! I'm sure if people heard her they would think she's vicious and she aint! The onus is on us to interpret the signals and learn when to step in and stop it getting too rough! But I wouldn't worry unduly at this age...just keep close eyes on! HTH, maybe someone else will have another slant on it and be able to give different advIce? I'd love to see the play up in the ring though! See how the compettion quake LOL :D All the best, love Dawn XX

Do you know what? I answered this and thought it was your pup playing up?? How mental is that?? Hell's teeth, I need a Psychiatrist!!! :P

It's difficult to be too definite. Certainly Nips has never, ever, growled at another dog that isn't part of his extended family. However, put him and his litter siblings together at 6 months old (and beyond!) and they would happily play growly puppy games that were quite clearly games and not evidence of any sort of dodgy behaviour.

I'm always slightly bothered by unknown young dogs whose reactions are snappy but again, they may be basically quite sound pups who simply need to learn better manners. And I'm much more concerned when owners cheerfully watch their dog try to take a lump out of yours and say "Bless! She's a proper little madam isn't she?" (as happened to me last week!!) and don't recognise that this isn't a behaviour they should be encouraging.