QuestionOur lovable female standard poodle just turned a year old. She started a freaky behavior recently. If I speak forcefully to her when standing close to her, she bares her teeth and wrinkles her nose to the side in a strange crooked snarl. She doesn't growl and her tail continues to wag.
It alarms me and I want to be sure it doesn't lead to other aggressive behavior. She's only acted this way with me. (My husband's a stay-at-home dad with our two young girls--- I'm not as close with the dog.)
Any thoughts on how to translate this behavior? Does it need to be corrected? How?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
AnswerI have a poodle who seems to be growling at my other dogs as she grooms them. I have found that when I speak to her sternly in a (this is important) LOW VOICE, she ceases the growl. I've found that if one speaks to a dog in a regular female voice the dog tends to disregard it. When you speak in a low voice, it is interpreted as a growl and as you are superior (in her mind) in the pecking order, she should quit it. She may be trying to dominate you a bit (if your husband is close to her, she actually may be trying to challenge your position a bit....cautiously of course...to wit the wagging tail). Just speak firmly in a low voice and it may help a bit.
Good luck!