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I am a dog walker and this is my first time to the dog boards (I have 4 cats which are in my signature and I frequent the cat boards). My problem is a wirehaired pointing griffon named Oakley.

I've been walking him every weekday for the past month and we've had no problems. He did have a habit of growling at his last dog walker, but he seemed fine with me. Then yesterday I sat on the floor with him (big mistake) and he started growling at me. I think that since I went down to his level he is challenging my dominance by growling. He never snaps or shows teeth, just rumbles and growls. I really don't think he would ever bite me, and I think I'm the one who started the problem by accident because his previous walker was rolling on the floor with him right before he started to growl at her. What can I do about this? He rumbled at the old dog walker every visit, and I love this dog so much and don't want our relationship to go bad. Any advice? I don't know how to deal with dominant dogs because cats only dominate eachother!

>>I am a dog walker and this is my first time to the dog boards (I have 4 cats which are in my signature and I frequent the cat boards). My problem is a wirehaired pointing griffon named Oakley.
>>
>>I've been walking him every weekday for the past month and we've had no problems. He did have a habit of growling at his last dog walker, but he seemed fine with me. Then yesterday I sat on the floor with him (big mistake) and he started growling at me. I think that since I went down to his level he is challenging my dominance by growling. He never snaps or shows teeth, just rumbles and growls. I really don't think he would ever bite me, and I think I'm the one who started the problem by accident because his previous walker was rolling on the floor with him right before he started to growl at her. What can I do about this? He rumbled at the old dog walker every visit, and I love this dog so much and don't want our relationship to go bad. Any advice? I don't know how to deal with dominant dogs because cats only dominate eachother!

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The owners need to know this happened, and get help for their dog. Their veterinarian can help them find the right professional in the area to evaluate the dog's temperament and make recommendations. It's important to get the right help for this, rather than trying to guess what the dog is thinking.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

just to add that some of what we humans do in response to a dog communicating by growling, may increase
aggression.

our Shiba growls when we play tug with her, but this is definately a 'play' growl. am hoping that maybe Oakley is just vocal.

Has Oakley had any obedience, does he respond to treats? you might try going through a 'routine' with sit, etc. & gradually add you own various body movements, in increments toward your sitting on the floor, treating only for his nongrowling response & topping the routine if he growls.

If the owners are honest, they can probably give you some specific reasons for this behavior they perhaps have unintentionally encouraged.

keep us updated, your experience/resolution will help others

Welcome!
I used to be a dog walker too and have dealt with similar situations. My suggestion to you (It may be difficult)is to act very business-like when you are picking up the dog, walking him, and dropping him off. Establish leadership before you make friends. Once he knows your boss and you are there to walk him and that is it, then he won't challange you when you play with him. Hopefully. Stick to a strict routine and walking route. When you go in, say key phrases, like "time to go out" and don't make a big deal when dropping the dog off. Try to do and say the same thing every time you walk the dog. Do this until it has become obvious that the dog understands this new routine and has no problems. Also, having him do something for attention might work. I don't suggest starting this until you have the routine as stated above down. Whenever you want to pet him, have him sit. Rub his belly if he'll let you. Don't force him onto his back, but if he willingly rolls over for you to rub his belly, that is a good sign.
How do you like the job? I miss it SO much. I got laid off and I didn't even get to say goodbye to my dogs. Luckily, I took pictures of all of them and they are now in my doggy photo album. But there are a few that I really miss. My favorite was a Visla puppy named Niko, and he was probably the worst behaved dog of all of them. But SUCH a sweetheart!
Good luck, I hope you guys are able to rekindle your friendship!