My uncle owns a pit bull kennel where I spend a lot of my time. I have "adopted", so to speak, a female pit bull. She had her first litter and is about two and a half years old. She is the sweetest. She is also the reason why I spend a lot of my time at the kennel. I have trained her myself, but I tried picking up one of her puppies the other day, and something like a growl came out of her as she moved her head rapidly to block me from the puppy. I have raised her since she was a puppy and have never been afraid of her until then...is this a side effect of her recently giving birth? I really don't want to put her down, but if she is a hazard for my uncle and family, I will take appropriate actions, since she is unofficially mine. I guess I should be asking this to my uncle, but I don't want to let him know until I have your opinion because I do not want to get her into unneccessary trouble. Help!
Mommy Pit bull growled at me
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She was looking out for her pups and she only growwled its not like she bit you or anything..I think talk of putting her down its a bit premature :shock:
I second that. Although my bitch never growled at me, she sure looked at me funny, and growled at others for a few days.
Next time, move slowly so as you dont get bit. If she gorwls, you let her know that even babies are not an excuse to growl at you, as you are alpha, end of story. You tell her no. You show her you love the babies and do not take them out of her site. You tell her it is ok, and reassure her.Turn her attention to another pup.
If she is even tempered and has never shown signs of aggression before, then I would GUESS she is just protecting her pups, and it was just her way of telling you.
Dont let her smell your fear next time you visit either, this may give her reason to think she growled last time, and can do it again.
Good luck. But euthinization should not be an option right now at this stage of the game.
Next time, move slowly so as you dont get bit. If she gorwls, you let her know that even babies are not an excuse to growl at you, as you are alpha, end of story. You tell her no. You show her you love the babies and do not take them out of her site. You tell her it is ok, and reassure her.Turn her attention to another pup.
If she is even tempered and has never shown signs of aggression before, then I would GUESS she is just protecting her pups, and it was just her way of telling you.
Dont let her smell your fear next time you visit either, this may give her reason to think she growled last time, and can do it again.
Good luck. But euthinization should not be an option right now at this stage of the game.
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Like other people said she is just being protective of her pups, it's natural. But speaking from experience since I have raised Great Dane pups, and Jack Russells. Talk to the bitch and let her know you don't mean any harm to her pups, I know some people find it "silly" but talking to a dog in a calm manner really does help.
When I would interact with pups, I would first love on the bitch and show her some attention. Then I would pick up a pup, I'd sit down in a chair where she could see me. I'd let her come sniff the pup, sniff me etc. Don't be scared, but know your limits.
When I would interact with pups, I would first love on the bitch and show her some attention. Then I would pick up a pup, I'd sit down in a chair where she could see me. I'd let her come sniff the pup, sniff me etc. Don't be scared, but know your limits.
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She was only doing what a good mother would do. You would do no less for your child. Protect and nurture is her job right now. Give her some space she will let you know when you can handle them. You just need to show her you mean no harm to her babies.
I hav never experienced owning a female dog with pups so I'm completely in the dark. This leads me to a couple of questions:
How soon is too soon to actually handle pups without mom showing signs of aggression (or warning).
And is this normal for a dog you've owned almost her entire life to growl and you when handling her pups. I can understand strangers but I don't think I'd tolerate that from my bitch...seriously.
Lastly, I agree. Its far to premature to consider euthanizing her.
How soon is too soon to actually handle pups without mom showing signs of aggression (or warning).
And is this normal for a dog you've owned almost her entire life to growl and you when handling her pups. I can understand strangers but I don't think I'd tolerate that from my bitch...seriously.
Lastly, I agree. Its far to premature to consider euthanizing her.
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Mommy Pitbull growled at me
I have a Boxer, I breed to my EB to get Valley's. Her first litter she had, she was fine while her pups where being born, The next day she watched me very carefully while I was in the room with her. When they were 24 hours old I went to change her bed again and she growled. To me that was normal because she was protecting her pups. I sat down and talked to her, let her lay her head in my lap, I sat on the floor with her, and babied her. I would pet her them pet a pup after a while. Finally I was able to change the bedding with her in the box with them. She however growled at everyone else. It was a real soft growl though just a warning I do believe. But she did learn I was not going to hurt them. I however did not bother her much, I checked on pups all through out the days, by the time they where 1 week old, she left my son in with her, but no one else. I feel like it is normal for a dog to protect it's young.
I have a Boxer, I breed to my EB to get Valley's. Her first litter she had, she was fine while her pups where being born, The next day she watched me very carefully while I was in the room with her. When they were 24 hours old I went to change her bed again and she growled. To me that was normal because she was protecting her pups. I sat down and talked to her, let her lay her head in my lap, I sat on the floor with her, and babied her. I would pet her them pet a pup after a while. Finally I was able to change the bedding with her in the box with them. She however growled at everyone else. It was a real soft growl though just a warning I do believe. But she did learn I was not going to hurt them. I however did not bother her much, I checked on pups all through out the days, by the time they where 1 week old, she left my son in with her, but no one else. I feel like it is normal for a dog to protect it's young.
Im sorry to jump in late in the game.... but im going to have to say I disagree with the commets so far.
Guarding is NOT in an APBT's temperment and they should NOT guard, being a mommy or not. Now she said she has raised this dog since a pup, this dog knows her and feels safe with her... so there should have not been any reason for the growl IMO.
Now my question is has the mother dog done it since then? How has she reacted to others handling her pups? If this was still happening, I would be concerned and if it was something that was an issue, I would euth the mother AND the litter.
ANY responsible APBT owner and/or breeder would agree on this. And if they dont, then they arent seeing the bigger picture.
Anyways, just my two cents.
Guarding is NOT in an APBT's temperment and they should NOT guard, being a mommy or not. Now she said she has raised this dog since a pup, this dog knows her and feels safe with her... so there should have not been any reason for the growl IMO.
Now my question is has the mother dog done it since then? How has she reacted to others handling her pups? If this was still happening, I would be concerned and if it was something that was an issue, I would euth the mother AND the litter.
ANY responsible APBT owner and/or breeder would agree on this. And if they dont, then they arent seeing the bigger picture.
Anyways, just my two cents.
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POST TOPIC: JULY "06" :lol: :lol: :lol:
i only see one problem with the situation. i would have not let her get away with it, i would have chanllanged her but i am one that prefers the alpha training style, once she has gotten away with it once she she will try again. all of it can be trained out of them she would only growl at you if she knew she could get away with it, it was a warning but you should have chllanged her back and let her know she was the mother but was still not in charge of the situation. unless ordered by a court i would never put an animal down unless the animal killed another human but even then it can still be trained out of them, it can all be trained out
This is a hard one. An APBT lunged at me when I tried to touch one of her pups. She didn't bite but she pushed my hand away. Now that was stuppid on my behalf because I didn't even know the mother (friend of a friend). Anytime I have gone to see the AB litters at my friends place the mothers are happy to let you touch the pups. They will actually lick me and the pup while I hold them. I always thought it was a natural instinct for the mother to be protective. A growl is just a warning or a way of showing discomfort. My last dog that because she had bad arthritis and she was worried she might get hurt. But again she didn't do it with me, just other people. I would work on it like others have mensioned then decide. I hate when I hear people jump to quick conclusions and put the dog and or litter down. I also hate when people feel they have the right to take the life of something because they didn't like a reaction. I don't think this is what you want to do because you are posting this on the board.
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NOPE 
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