Puppy Care

By Sandra Scott

When a dog growls, this is a clear warning which should be taken seriously. All too frequently, humans fail to comprehend these warning signals; dogs use growling to get their message across to humans and other animals.

Under normal circumstances, dogs will only be aggressive when they feel threatened or in danger.  They will only attack after having displayed progressively more explicit warning gestures several times.

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Often, dogs will growl to let their owners know what they want. This behavior is likely to be repeated once dogs realize that it gets them what they want. It is hardly surprising that dog growling is a common problem because some people foolishly think that this is an indication that their dog will protect them. It is more likely that the dog will take care of himself and his toys.

A growling dog may be considered dangerous according to some legal definitions so may need to be restricted accordingly. This may involve placing your dog in a crate, in a separate room or confining him to your back yard.

When a dog growls and this results in him getting something he wants, he will quickly figure out that growling is a useful communication tool. Comprehending your dog’s requirements is very helpful in putting an end to this behavior.

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Here are just a few of the reasons why a dog growls:

1. He wants you to feed him. This is an excellent opportunity to show a dog how to convey his desires. The dog would need to behave appropriately before his food bowl would be put in front of him.
2. He wants to eliminate. Some dog owners are pleased that their dog asks to be let outside to go potty, though this is an unrealistic expectation for an old or sick dog or a Puppy. So a dog dosn’t have to worry about getting his owner’s attention to let him outside, it is much better if regular outings for elimination are scheduled.
3. He is making sure his food is safe. A dog may practice resource or food guarding to protect his food from a perceived threat (namely you!). It is important that children be taught not to interrupt or tease dogs while they are eating. Adults must do the same thing; dogs need to understand that people provide them with food and don’t remove it. When their is no risk of the dog growling, food should be added to the dog’s dish.
4. Similar to food guarding, a dog may also guard a toy. 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.
5. He has taken something and wishes to keep hold of it. Never chase your dog if he has taken something that belongs to you. Instead, you should make sure that he receives good obedience training where he will learn the joys of retrieving and will come to you on command.
6. Often a dog growls when he is afraid of being groomed or having his nails trimmed. Dog grooming is a skill and you should not try to use clippers on your dog without the appropriate training.
7. Dog growling also occurs when the dog feels the need to protect himself from abuse or pain. Maybe a child has hit or tormented your dog when you weren’t looking so he may growl when a child approaches. Sadly, the dog will usually be blamed for growling in this instance.
8. It can be fun for a dog to see his owner jump backwards when he growls. He must not be permitted to become accustomed to this behavior as he is likely to show aggression when his owner doesn’t jump if he growls. This behavior must not be allowed to escalate.

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