I've been doing some volunteer work w/ a local rescue group lately. I've been helping to place a number of puppies. There is one in particular that I'd like some feed back on.

He is a pit mix,possibly akita or husky type....He is about 11 weeks old, very social, licks and plays w/ people and other dogs fine.He is fostered by a family w/pets and children that are older and do not manhandle the little guy.So.......Here's what is bothering me.

Every so often he will growl when being handled. A deep in the throat growl.I experienced it at an outreach when I went into the puppy pen and picked him up for whatever reasson, I don't remember, but I was very surprised because it was really unwarranted. I had heard that he had growled like that before, but I didn't really believe it. I thought that there must have been a misinterpretaion of some sort.

Anyway, the 1st foster mom thought perhaps he was just complaining and was vocal, but I was disturbed that this could be a red flag. HE went off to the current foster home shortly after and as far as I know I'm told he is great in their home. Now,...this weekend he was back at the original foster for the weekend and was being looked at by a family. He was w/ his sister and a few other pups and the children of the potentiial adoptees for about 2 hours. I'm told that he growled at one of the people when he was getting tired and didn't want to be bothered anymore.Grantedd, he was probably very tired, but I am very concerned about this. He has been very sweet( he peed almost submissively one time this weekend when the foster mom reached for him, which was also odd,since he's not shy), then he gets grumpy and growls as if in warning. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I am worried since he is so young and I need to be careful who he is placed with because I don't want a problem down the road after he goes to a home

I personally have been telling all adopters to prepurchase the training video,"your puppy 8 wks to 8 months" ( which I feel is indispensible to new puppy owners)and the organization I'm helping out is also asking that his adopter prepurchase OB classes for the pup and require that they will submit proof of completion.( this is in an effort to avoid inability to handle him properly)

So... after all that, what are some feeling about what might be going on w/ this pup? Thanks all, this has really been bothering me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hello out there!!! Anyone have any ideas?????

Jeannette,

I think this one is way too tough to try and determine the pups motivation without seeing it in action. My initial feeling is that it probably isn't a problem. If the dog was snapping or something else in conjunction, I would be more concerned and even that may not be a big problem. The potential breeds in this mix can tend to be little more vocal than some other breeds.

I would treat this dog by feel. If you don't feel uncomfortable with the pup then I think it will probably be ok. I would fairly carefuly screen potential adopters. If they are afraid or not willing to establish proper roles early with this pup it could become a problem if it has any significant tendancies for Rank/Dominance issues.

Probably not much help, but I think it is the best I can do with out seeing the pup.

Thanks Richard, yeah I agree that this can't just be solved online.I just wanted to get feedback. I would like input from a few others if they have seen this before in a young pup and if so how it turned out,although I realize that ultimately no one can really know how this pup will mature! Also, what is the consensus on the puppy tape VS. forced OB school?I am curious to know how people feel about that. THanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />