Have you been on the receiving end of a low, rumbling growl from your furry friend and now you’re left wondering if they’ve got anger issues, or if this is the start of a downward spiral of aggressive behavior?  

First off, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. And while those growls definitely aren’t an indicator of some unsolvable behavior problem, they are a sign that you need to get curious about what might really be going on.  Let’s break it down and see what you can do about it.

Why do they Growl?

Growling is a natural part of a dog’s communication toolkit. Dogs use growls to express a range of emotions, from fear and annoyance to pure joy during playtime.

Generally, in our interactions with dogs, growls often come up in situations where a dog is uncomfortable or not ok with something and we haven’t picked up on their earlier, more subtle signs of them telling us this.

The Canine Ladder of Aggression covers some of those earlier signs of discomfort that lead up to a growl.

Think of the earlier signs in this ladder as your dog whispering, or communicating in a temperate tone that they are not ok with something.

The growling is their version of raising their voice a bit because the earlier messages haven’t been understood.

So when a dog growls, it’s their version of a Singlish “Eh, you better watch it, lah!” 

What should you do?

Stop Immediately

First things first, if your dog growls, stop what you’re doing immediately. Don’t punish them for growling. Remember, growling is their way of communicating discomfort. Punishing them might teach them not to growl, but it won’t address the underlying issue. Instead, you could end up with a dog that skips the growling and goes straight to biting – not exactly an improvement!

Assess the Situation

Next, assess the situation. What were you doing when your dog growled? Were you trying to take away their favorite toy, or maybe you accidentally stepped on their paw? Understanding the trigger helps you figure out why your dog felt the need to warn you.

Revisit with the Support of a Trainer

Next, it’s time to revisit the situation with the support of a certified trainer or behaviorist. They can help you identify the root cause of the growling and work on a plan to address it. This might involve desensitization exercises, teaching your dog alternative behaviors, or even adjusting your own approach to handling your dog.

Unfortunately, far too often, guardians end up punishing their dogs for growling with a stern No! Or some other harsher punishment which only serves to teach the dog that they can’t communicate with growls. This can be very confusing for the dog! It’s the equivalent of your teacher or parent punishing you for simply saying you don’t like something. How strange and restrictive!

The good thing is a growl is not a bite!  This means you still have time to figure out what’s going on before your dog feels the need to escalate to the more serious type of communication!

Prevention and Preparation as a solution

Get rid of the Label

If we really want to prevent our dogs from growling, the first step is to put aside the negative association we have of growling. If we see it as simple communication, we can then start to get curious about the reasons behind it.

Humans have labeled a growling dog as a “bad dog” or a “bad behavior” when in reality, it’s just a dog communicating with us.

Remember dogs aren’t moral creatures – they don’t come pre-programmed with what’s “good” or “bad” the way we define it. Their understanding of “good” and “bad” is very different from ours and is entirely based on the result of their behaviors.

So, if something they do has a favorable outcome for them, that goes in the “its good – we will repeat it” bucket. If something they do has an unpleasant outcome for them, that goes in the “its bad – I won’t repeat it” bucket.

That’s why you never want to punish a growl – because if it goes in the “its bad- I won’t repeat it” bucket – your dog just might skip over it and go straight to a bite!

Get familiar with Dog Body Language

It’s critical that as a responsible dog guardian you are well versed in Dog Body Language. It’s the single most important thing you can learn to make life with your dog easier.

I offer a FREE Dog Body Language Guide here because its THAT important for anyone with a dog to understand what their furry friend is trying to say.

When you can decode their body language, you’ll find that your dog doesn’t feel the need to escalate their communication to growling, because you understood them much earlier on leading to a happier pup, a happier you, and a stronger relationship between you both!

Conclusion

In the end, growling is just your dog’s way of communicating. It’s a signal that something is off and needs to be addressed. By stopping immediately, assessing the situation, and seeking the help of a professional trainer, you can work towards understanding and resolving the issue. Remember, a growling dog isn’t a bad dog – they’re just trying to tell you something in the only way they know how. So, let’s listen, learn, and help them feel safe and secure.

For more tips on understanding and managing your dog’s behavior, or to book a consultation, reach out to me here. I’m here to help you and your furry friend build a stronger, more understanding bond.