Expert: Jannie Balliett - 1/26/2009

Question
I have a boxer and she is about 11 months old. She is the most loving and sweet dog, she doesnt ever do this to me but every so often i'll have company and she'll be kissing them and fine and all of a sudden if they look at her a certain way or something she gets nervous and starts growling at them. She has never bitten anyone and everybody thinks it's funny but i'm worried that one day she might bite them. I was wondering if it was eye contact or what could be causing her to all of sudden get nervous?

Answer
If she is play growling, or is really aggressively growling, you need to stop the behavior now.

Put a leash on her when company visits. The next time she growls, yank her leash away from where she is standing or sitting, toward you, and in a stern voice, verbally reprimand her and tell her "no" and that it is "bad" etc.

Be consistent and use the same commands, and within a month she should stop.

You can also get a loud, high pitched whistle, or a dog whistle, and blow it as you yank her leash. The sound will signify a reprimand in short time.