At one time or another, you’ve probably heard a dog growling and instinctively know that he’s keeping his distance. Most people take a dog’s growl as a warning, and it is. It’s a good idea for dog owners to have a deeper understanding of their dogs’ growling so that they know how to deal with it appropriately.
Why do dogs growl?
Growling is your dog’s way of communicating with you. He growls to let you know that he is afraid, in pain, or needs you away from his possessions or territory. Often your first instinct is to run away from a growling dog or punish him for growling. Because growling can be the first sign of more serious aggression, it is important to properly manage a growling dog.
Your dog is trying to tell you something when he growls. Growling is a sign of an underlying problem. Rather than teaching your dog not to growl, it is crucial to determine why your dog is growling and address the problem. Once the underlying problem is treated, the growling can be reduced or eliminated altogether.
Pain
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Different situations can make your dog growl. If your dog growls in response to pain or illness, you may notice that he only growls when certain parts of his body are touched. The dog may also show other symptoms of illness or injury, such as decreased appetite, lethargy, weight loss, biting or licking specific areas of the body, or hair loss.
The solution to the problem of a dog growling due to pain or illness is to consult your veterinarian immediately. Appropriate medical treatment should relieve the pain, reducing or stopping the growling.
Fear
When your dog habitually growls at strangers, specific people such as children or men, or when the dog is in an unfamiliar place, the growls are most likely due to fear. A dog may also growl in situations that trigger fear, such as during thunderstorms or fireworks. Some aggressive dogs may be ill and suffer from anxiety disorders.
If you can determine the cause of the fear, the normal course of action is to remove the trigger (if possible) from the dog’s life. If determining the cause or eliminating the cause seems impossible, contact a canine behaviorist for help.
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Territoriality
An example of this is the dog growling at the postman, deliveryman, or any other person who the dog thinks does not belong on his property. If a dog growls due to territorial aggression, you may see him growling in other territories as well, such as the spot on the couch or the spot on the bed. The dog may growl whenever he senses someone is entering his perceived territory. This “someone” could be a stranger or even a family member. This type of behavior can be changed and is best highlighted and directed by a specialist.
Assault by possession
This is also called resource protection. A dog exhibiting possessive aggression may growl when someone approaches him while he is eating, playing with some toys, or chewing on a bone or raw hide. This reaction can be avoided with a training program that will help your dog understand appropriate reactions.
Fun
Some dogs growl naturally when they are having fun. This growling often occurs when two (or more) dogs play with each other or if the play involves tugging toys. This is usually a harmless expression of feelings. However, it should be monitored carefully, especially in puppies, as growling behavior can quickly turn into aggression.
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How to stop growling
As a dog owner, you probably get angry when your dog growls. Your first reaction may be to suppress the growling by scolding or punishing the dog. This is never a good idea. By teaching your dog that growling is not acceptable behavior, you suppress his ability to warn you that he might bite. You may have heard stories of dogs biting without warning. But in many cases, this is because owners have trained their dogs not to let out a warning growl.
The key to getting a dog to stop growling is not to suppress the growl, but rather to address the underlying problem. Once the pain, fear, possessive aggression or territoriality is treated, the dog will no longer need to growl.
In-depth training
Territoriality, aggressive possession and fear are serious behavioral problems. Depending on the degree of the behavioral problem, the dog may respond well to a training program or may need a much more in-depth behavior modification program. A dog trainer can help you evaluate your dog and determine the best course of action to address these problems.
While working with this type of trainer, be as specific as possible about what you believe triggered the growling. The trainer will likely work with the dog on gradual conditioning to accept the trigger and not growl in its presence.
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Next steps
While trying to determine the cause of the growling, don’t ignore it, or it could get worse. Pay attention to your dog until you understand why he is growling. Additionally, we recommend helping your dog modify his behavior until the situation is under control.
For example, if your dog is always growling at the mailman, close the blinds and eliminate any lines of sight while you address the problem.
If possible, remove triggers, avoid stressful situations, and warn others (both dogs and people) to keep their distance to prevent a dog from biting. For example, you may not want to introduce your dog to new pets, take him to a dog park, or throw a loud party until you get help.
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