What Does it Mean When a Dog Growls?
Friday, April 3rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
By Sandra Scott
When a dog growls, this is a clear warning which should be taken seriously. Sometimes people do not step back as they don’t understand their dog’s warning; dogs growl to make people understand the message they are trying to convey.
Usually, dogs will only display aggressive behavior when they feel that they are in danger or under threat. Once a dog has repeatedly shown warning gestures and they have been ignored, he is likely to attack.
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Frequently, a dog growls to communicate his desires. When dogs find out that this works, they are likely to try it again. It is hardly unexpected that dog growling is a common problem because some people foolishly think that this is a sign that their dog will protect them. It is more likely that the dog will take care of himself and his possessions.
Growling dogs may be considered dangerous according to some legal definitions so may have to be restricted accordingly. This could mean that he needs to be placed in a crate, kept in a separate space, or confined to the back yard.
If your dog growls and he ends up getting what he wants, he will rapidly come to the conclusion that this is a very useful tool to get his own way. Understanding your dog’s needs is a definite benefit in stopping this behavior.
Just a reminder, if you are looking for a great free site to help you handle your dog’s growling behavior, you should take a look at: Growling Dogs.
The following are a few reasons for dog growling:
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- He wants to be fed. This is an excellent opportunity to teach a dog how to communicate his needs. The dog would need to behave appropriately before his food bowl would be put in front of him.
- He needs to go potty. Some dog owners are delighted that their dog asks to be let outside to eliminate, however this is an unlikely expectation for an old or sick dog or a puppy. It is much better if regular potty outings are scheduled so the dog doesn’t have to get his owner’s attention.
- He is making sure his food is safe. Dogs may protect their food against an apparent threat (you!). Children must be taught to allow the dog to eat in peace and never try to remove the dog’s food. Adults must do the same thing; it is important that a dog sees humans as giving food not taking it away. When it is safe to do so, food should be added to the dog’s bowl while he is eating.
- As with food guarding, dogs may also safeguard their toys. Growling when someone approaches is frequently the first indication that a dog will bite if the warning is ignored. In this instance, the simplest thing to do is take the toy away from the dog permanently or only give it to him when he’s in his crate.
- He has stolen an item and wants to keep it for himself. You should never chase after your dog if he steals one of your possessions. Make sure he is given obedience training so will come to you on command.
- Often a dog growls when he is afraid of being groomed or having his nails trimmed. Considerable skill is necessary to groom some dogs and you should not try it yourself without the appropriate training.
- Also a dog growls when he wants to defend himself from pain or suffering. An example might be that a child has constantly tormented the dog under the fence or hit him when his owner wasn’t looking, so the dog would growl when he came in contact with a child. Unfortunately, the dog will most likely be blamed for growling under these circumstances.
- If a dog growls and his owner reacts by jumping backwards, this can be huge fun for the dog. If he is allowed to continue this behavior, it is possible that the dog will become aggressive if his owner doesn’t jump when he growls. This behavior must not be allowed to escalate.
To learn more about what to do when dogs growl at you, I recommend that you take a look at the top selling dog training guide, Secrets to Dog Training.
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