13 week old pup

[Wilbur]

Hi,
We have a 13 week old Staffy we got her when she was 10 weeks old. She is crate trained and had settled in. The only thing that we are concerned about is that she growls at times when she feels uncomfortable mainly when we pick her up. What should we do when she does this? We have 2 children 10 and 7 she has growled at all of us. The growl is only short.

[delladooo]

Love the growl!!!!

Seriously, if she growls she's just communicating with you that's she's uncomfortable and if you ignore her she will end up having to escalate - by biting. Avoid doing things that make her uncomfortable. Why do you feel the need to pick her up, you're unlikely to be doing it when she's an adult so try to avoid it now for instance

[Nettle]

Just as Delladoo says. Most dogs hate being picked up - it really frightens them. Imagine if a gorilla picked you up. So - love the growl and listen to what she is saying.

Tell us why you feel you have to pick her up, and we can help you with a better way of achieving what you want

[Wilbur]

Hi We pick her up to put her on lounge as she can't get up.

[Nettle]

Well, that's simple enough leave her on the floor with a nice soft bed to lie on.

[JudyN]

Or make a little step for her.

[delladooo]

Steps are a good idea, our little girl has steps to get on the sofa too my boy will also use then when he's feeling lazy

[Wilbur]

Thanks for all the advice.