[Gingersmom]

Hi guys when I have Ginger in my lap and another dog comes over to me she growls at the other dog. She did it a few times last weekend when I was at my moms but when I would tell her to be nice she would stop then today at the vet she did the same thing. Also if we are out walking and she sees someone she will start growling at them if I stop and talk to the person then she stops. So how do I fix this I have never had a dog that was like this mine have always loved people and other dogs. She does not bark or growl when someone comes into the house just when she is on leash. She does not pull or act like she wants to attack them or anything just growls real soft.

[CorkyMax]

I am inclined to think that it is jealousy as my Max can be a bugger about that. It seems like he is saying--Back off, this is my mom! Hey Mom I am the one getting the attention here. Or maybe yours is saying "This is my property--Go away! Max is too big and not the type to get in my lap but if he was and did that I would prob. put him down and say, "That's enough!"---Letting him know that I wasn't going to tolerate it and show him I was going to not have anything to do with him when he acted up. I would hope he would get the message eventually that he had to be nice or not be held. Being as I am not holding him and he does this --I pretty much act the same way--use distraction and say Behave! If it starts getting like the 2 dogs are going to fight about it---I put the 'growler' in a different room until the 'growler' behaves--If he starts in again (usually doesn't go that far) I keep him in that room until he knows he is not getting out till he behaves.

[chiclet]

I find myself, that it is best not to have my dog in my arms or lap when other dogs or strangers come around. My sense is that he feels cornered and has no where to go when I am holding him. He barks at anything strange, even if it is just a coat out of place or something like that.

[skivvies]

It could be resource guarding. Some dogs will growl when they think a person or other dog is going to take something from them...it could be food, a toy, or a spot on your lap.

I haven't read this book before, but I've heard that it's been really helpful for dogs with resource guarding problems.
Amazon.com: Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs (9780970562944): Jean Donaldson: Books
Actually I should probably order this book too...my dog sometimes does the same thing when she's in my lap.

[lange]

Originally Posted by skivvies

It could be resource guarding. Some dogs will growl when they think a person or other dog is going to take something from them...it could be food, a toy, or a spot on your lap.

I haven't read this book before, but I've heard that it's been really helpful for dogs with resource guarding problems.
Amazon.com: Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs (9780970562944): Jean Donaldson: Books
Actually I should probably order this book too...my dog sometimes does the same thing when she's in my lap.

(don't mean to hijack the thread) But thanks! I just added it to my Book wish list through Amazon (30 to go!) LOL ....Kuma has some food aggression with Wrigley but we've been working on it with some progress.