Growling is your dog's way of begging you to stop what you're doing and move away. It's not a challenge to your hierarchical status in your home. Dog body language exists to help them stay alive by avoiding confrontation with other creatures because confrontation is risky!
Though dogs speak in many ways through body language and other vocalizations, a growl is one way dogs communicate the loudest about their discomfort. We should listen, not punish! If a growl occurs during punishment or correction it's a sign that you are being too heavy-handed.
Dogs will give a warning growl in situations involving things like resource guarding, stranger danger, feeling cornered, or feeling stressed. Dogs use these warning growls to communicate to you or another animal to “back off” because they are uncomfortable.
The good news is that a growl or snap is your dog's way of communicating a waning—and your dog is choosing to warn you instead of biting.
Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If your dog follows you or continues to bite and nip at you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds. (Be sure that the room is “dog-proofed” before you leave your dog alone in it. Don't leave him in an area with things he might destroy or things that might hurt him.)
No scolding, no yelling, and no physical punishment. Gently take hold of her collar, lead her to a quiet room away from the action, and leave her there with a bowl of water and a chew toy. Your visitor may expect you to punish your dog, even “alpha roll” her, if he's watched a certain television show.
Stop whatever it is you're doing or the person/animal eliciting the growl is doing. If you know that your dog growls right before a bite, then move away and get safe. If you know the growl doesn't mean a bite is imminent, stop what you are doing.
For a dog who is acting out of fear or frustration (for example, a dog who is barking and lunging on leash), using the word 'no' to stop the behavior without helping to alleviate their fear or frustration will often lead to an escalation in behavior, such as growling, air snapping, or biting.
It's important to realize that these dogs are not simply being jerks – in most cases, whether because of genetics, lack of social skills, or negative past experiences, they bite because they don't know any other way to respond when they feel frustrated or threatened. It's an emotional reaction, not a conscious choice.
While it may sound obvious, growling at your dog is not likely to improve its aggressive behavioral problems, a new study suggests. Hitting it is probably worse. Researchers say dog owners who kick, hit or otherwise confront aggressive dogs with punitive training methods are doomed to have, well, aggressive pets.
When dogs growl at people approaching, while sitting in their pet owner's lap, this is called resource guarding. Yes, your growling dog is protecting his resource, which is you, but protective dog behavior is dangerous that will get worse, if not addressed quickly.
Never ever ever punish a dog for growling. The end result will be that the dog goes right from the ignored visual cues to biting without that important vocal warning. Dogs have a right to communicate they are uncomfortable with certain things they are exposed to.
The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dog's behavior involves rewarding her for good behavior—so you'll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys.
When a dog's ears are hanging back, along with a lowered head, closed mouth, and tight lips, it can mean she's mad at you, says April Olshavsky, American Kennel Club dog evaluator, trainer, and behavioral consultant. “Body language is the only way dogs can communicate with us,” she explains.
In recent times, research has shown that: Dogs can recognize emotions in people's facial expressions. They're able to distinguish emotional facial expressions from neutral expressions, and they can tell happy faces from angry ones - just from photos of faces. Dogs can sniff out human emotions by smell alone.
For this reason, I advise all my clients and students that it is NEVER wise to punish a dog for growling, even by saying “No.” Dogs that are repeatedly punished for growling eventually may not give a warning and immediately escalate to biting. A dog that does not growl before biting is a dangerous dog.
Pleasure growling — Some dogs will growl affectionately when they are being petted or as a request for attention. Some people think it's a threat, but it's a sign of happiness. Threat growling — Often seen in dogs that are fearful, territorial or possessive, this growl tells a perceived threat to go away.
Most dogs assume a neutral or submissive role toward people, but some dogs will challenge their owners for dominance. A dominant dog may stare, bark, growl, snap, or even bite when you give him a command or ask him to give up a toy, treat, or resting place.
Yelling encourages bad behavior
That shows your dog she has no incentive to come back. Instead, call your dog and when she comes back, praise her and give her a treat.
Don't Punish Growling
It's either benign or a symptom of stress in your dog. If you punish your dog for growling, you will only inhibit growling. You won't have done anything to address the underlying issue. For example, punishing your dog for growling in the presence of other dogs will stop the growling.
Dog owners should never punish their dog and instead only use positive training methods based around rewarding good behaviour, according to a new study.
Stop it or remove your dog from the situation before it escalates. Do not discipline your dog with physical, violent, or aggressive punishments. Opt for positive reinforcement before resorting to the use of aversives. Remember to reward your dog for good behavior.