Dogs growl when they want to tell you they’re very uncomfortable with a situation -- so uncomfortable they might feel compelled to sometimes snap or bite.
In a way, growling is a good sign. It shows the dog isn’t interested in hurting you at the moment. He wants you to change the situation. (If he wanted to hurt you, he wouldn’t bother warning you. Predators don’t growl at their prey -- remember that next time your favorite movie hero is threatened by a growling something that wants to eat him!)
Dogs have many subtle ways of saying “I’m not comfortable with this,” such as stiffening or stilling their bodies, looking or turning away, pinning their ears back and more. Unfortunately, many of us humans have not learned to read them, and some skip those signs in favor of something that clearly gets our attention. So, if your dog is growling, recognize that this is his way of communicating.
Know When to Back OffSo, what should you do if your dog growls?
First, back off. This isn’t “letting the dog win.” Communication is not a competition, although your dog will learn that his communication is successful. Remember that if your conflict actually gets to the point of confrontation, the dog is, most times, better armed than you. Safety -- yours, your dog’s, and other people’s around you -- should be your first priority.
Next, evaluate the situation. Why is your dog growling? Are you too close to something he considers “his” possession (including a favorite human)? Were you unintentionally inflicting pain (such as through grooming, handling, pressure on a sore spot)? Does the dog feel threatened, so he’s threatening you in return? Adjust your behavior accordingly.
Take Action to Avoid Growling
To keep your dog from growling in the future, you need to develop a management and training plan (or work with a behavior specialist to develop one). How can you prevent this situation from occurring again, so your dog doesn’t feel threatened?
If the cause for growling is unavoidable (and remember, all management systems can potentially fail -- especially if other people are involved, especially children), next ask yourself: How can you change your dog’s underlying emotions in this situation? What do you want your dog to do instead?
In any case, you should NOT punish your dog for letting you know of his discomfort. Laurie Luck, of Smart Dog University in Maryland, wrote: “Punish Him for Growling: This is the most dangerous thing you can do for your dog. A growl is a warning -- and a good one. Punish your dog for warning you, and you’ll get a dog who bites without warning. If you only address the growl, and not the reason behind the growl, you’re only setting your dog up for failure. When he growls, he’s telling you something. It’s very important to listen to your dog. You may not like growling, but would you prefer biting instead? Keep punishing that growl, without finding out the cause behind it, and that’s what you’ll get.”
Growling might seem scary or even insulting, but reframe your perception. Growling is an attempt by your dog to communicate with you about something that’s troubling him. Get professional help if you are truly worried, but don’t let your dog’s honest communication be a source of fear.
