Dog Growling

When a dog growls most people react by moving away. This is a good thing. Growling indicates the dog is trying to create distance, either to protect itself or something it is guarding (a toy, food, a location). While nobody wants their or any dog to growl at them, the growl is in some ways to be appreciated as it is essentially the dog's way of giving a warning to back off. As aggression goes, this is far better than the dog making a sudden and quiet attack to bite. As with all dog vocalizations, there are a range of types of growls. However, most have one thing in common. The tone is low and clearly menacing.

By moving away when a dog growls you are greatly decreasing the odds that the dog will feel it needs to escalate the aggressive display to make it's point. So, this is always a wise first step. While there are situations where growling may be slightly more tolerated than others (i.e. when a bitch is protecting her litter of newborns), in most cases growling should be seen as a loud and clear alarm bell that the dog needs help learning how to interact with people. Regardless of the dog's size, aggression can develop into a very dangerous and serious situation. So, at the first sign it is wise to contact a trainer or behaviorist to work with you one-on-one.

Far too many people excuse or ignore growling until the problem has escalated and life with the dog becomes very stressful. Unfortunately, even more people react to growling by attempting to fight fire with fire. Verbally, or worse yet, physically correcting a dog when they growl is a sure fire way to get you or someone else bitten. In some cases, the dog may be temporarily blunted. That is, they stop growling and essentially shut down due to the punishments. However, this does not mean the issue has been dealt with. The dog may learn to stop growling (with some people), but he is most probably still experiencing the same thought process that caused the warning growl in the first place.

For example, if a dog growls when you approach him as he plays with a toy, and he is punished for doing so, the growling may stop. But, the dog's instinct to guard the toy has probably not diminished. In fact, it may have escalated. There will most probably come a time when the dog will again guard a toy, maybe with the person who punished him or someone else. Unfortunately, the dog may have learned not to warn with a growl and may simply bite to keep the person away. The growl is an important way for a dog to communicate. Rather than trying to extinguish the growl, see it as your dog's way of telling you he needs help.

Be sure to record as much information as possible in regards to the growling incident(s). This way you and the trainer can devise a plan to help the dog respond differently to whatever stimulus is causing him to growl. In the case of a dog growling to keep people away from toys, you can put your dog on a 'learn to earn' program. Teaching your dog to hand target (to touch his nose to the palm of your hand when requested), to come, sit, and lie down means you have behaviors you can use to show your dog how to earn what he wants. This bodes well for your dog's understanding that people are the source of the good stuff he wants. Additionally, keeping the dog on a leash when supervised gives you a safe and gentle way of being able to maintain control. A trainer can also help you organize your dog's daily schedule so that give and take exercises can be gradually incorporated. A dog who learns that people taking things away is likely to result in something better is far less likely to growl when a person reaches for a toy they are engaged with. These and other exercises will help your dog learn the benefits of a cooperative relationship with people and greatly decrease the likelihood that your dog will feel the need to warn with a growl.