Growling

Why is it important to address the cause of growling.

Introduction

Growling is a natural behavior for dogs. It is a way for dogs to communicate their feelings and intentions. Growling can be a sign of fear, aggression, or simply a way for a dog to say "no".

It is important to understand the different types of growling so that you can properly respond to them.

Fear growl: This type of growl is usually low and quiet. It is a way for a dog to say that they are feeling threatened or scared.
Aggressive growl: This type of growl is usually loud and high-pitched. It is a way for a dog to say that they are feeling dominant or threatening.
Play growl: This type of growl is usually accompanied by playful body language, such as wagging tail and playful biting. It is a way for dogs to communicate that they are enjoying themselves.

If your dog is growling, it is important to first determine the type of growl. If it is a fear growl, you need to de-escalate the situation and make your dog feel safe. If it is an aggressive growl, you need to remove yourself and your dog from the situation. If it is a play growl, you can simply redirect your dog's attention to something else.

Here are some tips on how to address growling:

De-escalate the situation: If your dog is growling out of fear, you need to make them feel safe. This means removing them from the situation that is causing them to feel threatened. You can also try to distract them with a toy or treat.
Remove yourself and your dog from the situation: If your dog is growling out of aggression, it is important to remove yourself and your dog from the situation. This will help to prevent a bite from happening.
Redirect your dog's attention: If your dog is growling out of playfulness, you can simply redirect their attention to something else. This could be a toy, treat, or even just a different activity.

Common misconceptions

Growling is always a sign of aggression.
This is not true. Growling can also be used as a warning signal to communicate that a dog is feeling uncomfortable or threatened. If a dog growls, it is important to take it seriously and try to figure out what is causing the dog to feel this way.

You should punish a dog for growling.
Punishing a dog for growling can actually make the problem worse. If a dog is punished for growling, they may learn to suppress their growling, which can lead to them biting without warning. Instead, it is important to teach a dog to growl in a controlled way and to use other, more appropriate methods of communication, such as barking or whining.

Only aggressive dogs growl.
Not true! Even friendly dogs may growl in certain situations, such as when they are playing or when they are being petted too roughly. It is important to be aware of the context in which a dog is growling in order to properly interpret the behavior.

Growling - Video Walkthrough

Steps to Address

Teaching Phase:

Determine the reason for growling. Once you know why your dog is growling, you can start to address the underlying issue. For example, if your dog is growling out of fear, you can start by desensitizing them to the trigger. This involves gradually exposing them to the trigger in a controlled environment and rewarding them for staying calm.
Teach your dog to growl in a controlled way. This can be done by rewarding your dog for growling in a safe and appropriate way. For example, you can teach your dog to growl on command. This will help your dog to learn that growling is not always a bad thing.
Teach your dog other, more appropriate methods of communication. This can be done by rewarding your dog for barking, whining, or other behaviors that you prefer. For example, you can teach your dog to sit when they want something. This will help your dog to learn that there are other ways to communicate their needs.

Reinforcing Phase:

When the dog understands structure, protocols, and healthy boundaries, be sure to implement their training in every scenario where the dog may be triggered to growl. This will help your dog to learn that they can trust you to keep them safe and that they do not need to growl to get what they want.
Mark and reward when the dog maintains appropriate behavior. This will help your dog to associate the trigger with positive things and to learn that they do not need to growl to get what they want.
Correct any growling, and redirect the dog back onto the training protocols. This will help your dog to learn that growling is not an acceptable behavior.

Proofing Phase:

Introduce triggers and more complex scenarios into every training session to test the dog's impulse to growl. This will help your dog to generalize the training and to learn to cope with triggers in a variety of situations.
Successful counter conditioning will look like avoidance, reverting to obedience, or the dog removing itself from triggering situations. This shows that the dog is no longer feeling threatened by the trigger and that they have learned to cope with it in a healthy way.
It is important to advocate for your dog as triggers are presented, and to use management protocols to set them up for success. This means being aware of your dog's triggers and taking steps to avoid them or to minimize their exposure to them. For example, if your dog is afraid of other dogs, you may want to avoid taking them to dog parks or crowded areas.

Maintenance Phase:

The dog should anticipate and offer acceptable behaviors when presented with a trigger.** This means that the dog should be able to recognize the trigger and should know what behavior is expected of them.
Corrections should be infrequent as the dog avoids offering unacceptable or inappropriate behaviors such as growling. This shows that the dog has learned the new behavior and is no longer relying on growling to communicate their needs.

Case Studies

Here are a few case studies that illustrate how growling can be addressed:

Case Study 1: A dog was growling at other dogs at the park. The owner was able to de-escalate the situation by removing the dog from the park. The owner also worked with a trainer to help the dog learn to be more comfortable around other dogs.
Case Study 2: A dog was growling at its owner when the owner tried to take away a toy. The owner was able to redirect the dog's attention to a different toy. The owner also worked with a trainer to help the dog learn to give up toys without growling.
Case Study 3: A dog was growling at strangers who came to the house. The owner worked with a trainer to help the dog learn to be more comfortable around strangers. The owner also started taking the dog to puppy classes and dog parks so that it could socialize with other dogs and people.

Pet Parent Coaching Tips

Here are a few tips for pet parents on how to deal with growling:

Be patient: It may take some time for your dog to learn that growling is not an acceptable behavior.
Be consistent: Be consistent with your training and do not give in to your dog's growling.
Seek professional help: If you are struggling to address your dog's growling, seek professional help from a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist.

Conclusion

Growling is a natural behavior for dogs, but it is important to address it if it becomes a problem. By understanding the different types of growling and following the tips above, you can help your dog learn that growling is not an acceptable behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if my dog growls at me?
A: If your dog growls at you, it is important to first determine the reason for the growling. If it is a fear growl, you need to de-escalate the situation and make your dog feel safe. If it is an aggressive growl, you need to remove yourself and your dog from the situation. If it is a play growl, you can simply redirect your dog's attention to something else.

Q: How can I stop my dog from growling?
A: The best way to stop your dog from growling is to address the underlying cause of the growling. If your dog is growling out of fear, you need to make them feel safe. If your dog is growling out of aggression, you need to work with a trainer or behaviorist to help them learn to be more tolerant of other