Why Is Your Dog Growling?

dog growling

Dogs communicate with each other – and with the environment around them – in a number of different ways. They bark. They howl. They growl. Being able to read our dog’s body language is one of the best ways to understand how they are feeling at any given time – and correctly interpreting why they are communicating in a particular fashion can be extremely valuable, often acting as a warning system for a potentially dangerous situation. 

Growling is a pretty common occurrence in our dogs, and while we may generally associate it with displeasure or dissatisfaction, dogs actually growl for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’re going to explore some of the reasons why your dog might be growling – and what you should (and shouldn’t) do about it.

Playing with another dog

If you ever need an example to prove that growling doesn’t always equal aggression, watch – and most importantly, listen – the next time your dog is playing with a familiar playmate. It’s quite likely that this playtime may elicit a shorter, softer growl from your dog, which can indicate that they are having fun. 

You might be wondering how to determine the difference between a ‘play growl’ and something that might be indicative of fear or anxiety. There are a couple of ways. Firstly, listen carefully to the tone of the growl. If your dog is comfortable with the situation, the growl will be softer and higher than a typical intimidatory growl. Additionally, look for other body language indicators, such a play bow or loose ears.

When approaching another dog or person

At some point in your life, you have likely walked a dog towards another dog and heard your dog begin to growl as the other dog approaches. As the distance reduces, the growl may become gradually louder and fiercer. This is often accompanied by other body language signals, such as erect ears, a stiff posture, and your dog keeping its eyes locked on the other dog and their handler. This is often a sign that the dog does not want to interact or be approached by the other dog. Again, the intonation of the growl is the key identifier you want to be aware of.

Warning growl

Dogs have extremely sensitive ears and a highly refined olfactory system. This enables them to sense danger in ways that we can only imagine. A warning growl can be deployed by a dog to ward off potential threats and used to intimidate other dogs. It is often used as a ‘distance creator’. It can also be used if your dog feels cornered, stressed, or just generally uncomfortable with a certain situation. In this scenario, it may be best to change the context (i.e. move your dog away) before it has the potential to escalate.

why do dogs growl

Resource guarding

Is your dog protective over their food or toys? Resource guarding is when your dog becomes fiercely protective of their environment or the items contained within it that they feel are vital to their survival. When resource guarding, a dog will growl more fiercely, bare their teeth, and may also position their body to cover or protect their designated item.

Pain or injury

Dogs prefer to hide their pain, as it can be a sign of weakness to other animals. However, a growl that sounds more like a yelp – particularly if your dog places weight on an injured or affected area – can demonstrate that your dog is in pain. You may also notice this if your dog feels sensitive or tender on parts of their body when you pet them. If this type of growling becomes persistent, consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.

Understanding the difference in growls

As you will have gathered from reading the reasons why your dog is growling, understanding the different tone of growls, combined with other body language markers, is key to understanding if their growl is actually aggressive or threatening, or if your dog is actually using it in a playful manner.

What to do about your dog’s growling (and what not to do)

Once you have determined why your dog is growling, your next thought is likely to be ‘what should I do about it?’. The answer to that question varies depending on the type of growl.

For example, if your dog is in the middle of running around with their playmate and is growling during that activity, there is really no need to intervene. Keep a close eye on their interactions, but if your dog appears happy and relaxed, there is no need to remove them from playing simply because of a play growl.

However, if your dog is using growling in a defensive manner to warn of a potential threat, or if they are clearly uncomfortable, redirecting your dog away is the best course of action. Changing the context will give you the opportunity to grab your dog’s focus and make them feel comfortable. If your dog often growls when walking past strangers, consider bringing treats on your walk and redirecting their attention towards you for a more positive experience. 

The one thing you definitely do not want to do when your dog growls is to punish them for it. Your dog is simply communicating how they’re feeling, and suppressing this can lead to bigger problems further down the line without actually addressing the root cause of the growling. Your dog will still feel the underlying stress when faced with similar situations in the future, but as their owner, you will no longer be aware of it if you can’t hear them growl. 

If your dog’s growling is persistent or problematic, consider reaching out to a professional dog trainer to talk about potential solutions or management strategies.

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