Don't Punish a Growl! Understanding the Power of Communication.

As a dog owner, it is inevitable to hear your dog growl occasionally. While it might feel unsettling to you, growling is an essential form of communication for all animals. In fact, growling can be hugely beneficial for you and your dog, as it allows them to express their emotions and needs. Understanding why your dog growls, what it means, and how to react can help strengthen your bond with your pup and prevent risky and aggressive behaviors.

Why Does Your Dog Growl?

Growling serves as a natural warning signal for dogs. They aren't able to tell us what they're feeling, so they rely on their natural behaviors to express themselves.

What Does a Growl Mean?

Growling often means that your dog is feeling anxious, threatened, or uncomfortable in a given situation. It is important to know that your dog does not want to fight or bite, but any dog has the ability if they feel that they need to. In the dog world, a growl is a sign that another dog needs to back off and leave the dog alone. In our world, a growl can apply to another animal, a person, a sound, or an inanimate object.

How to React?

The first step is to immediately get your dog out of the situation. You need to create space between your dog and whatever they are growling at. If they are growling at a sound, such as thunder, try to find a space where the noise is lessened, or play calming music to block out the noise. It is essential to listen to what your dog is trying to tell you, and to respect those boundaries. If your dog is continually growling at people or other dogs, or is growling very often, it is important to consult a professional. While occasional growling is a normal behaviour, frequent growling can be a result of fear, pain, or other discomfort that will need to be investigated by a dog trainer or veterinarian professional.

The most important part of managing a growl is DO NOT PUNISH IT. Punishing a growl will eradicate that behaviour, which gets rid of an essential warning behaviour for your dog. Dogs who are punished for growling will escalate to biting with no warning, giving you no opportunity to intervene and separate your dog from the situation. It is MUCH harder to get the growl back than to get rid of it.

Other Forms of Growling

Although the most classic example of growling is a warning sign, there are many other forms that your dog may or may not exhibit. Many dogs will growl when they are playing, whether it be with you or another dog, which is why it is important to watch your dog's body language. If they have a loose, playful body and are play-bowing, chances are that it is a play growl and nothing needs to change. If they have a rigid body, hard stare, or are frozen, that is likely a warning growl.

Conclusion: Embrace the Growl

While a growl may sound scary, it's actually a beneficial form of communication for you and your dog. Now that you know what it means and how to react, you can effectively respect your dog's boundaries and plan for it in the future.