The Growl: Dogs do growl while playing, but there are two ways to tell different growls apart. An aggressive growl will be accompanied by snarling and snapping, while a playful growl is just a sound, accompanied by relaxed body movements (no tension).
Growling during play does not mean your dog is aggressive. It simply means they're having a great time. Your dog might even growl during a particularly pleasing cuddle or patting session. Many dogs growl talk to communicate contentment or as a greeting.
It's hard to decipher the difference between human ears, but play growling is typically higher-pitched and shorter in length than aggressive growling. Dogs can tell the sounds apart and know when their playmate is having fun and when they're not.
Growling – Sometimes dogs will growl during play, but these growls are accompanied with loose, relaxed body language. When growling is followed by any of the above behaviors, or is a deep and low, it may be a sign of aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed.
Pleasure growling
Although dogs don't exactly make audible sounds in the same way that cats purr when they are experience pleasure, you may have noticed your pet make a strange sort of purr-come-growl sound upon occasion. A pleasure growl sounds very low and rumbling, and may last much longer than other dog growls.
A confident dog wanting you to move away will often deliver a low-pitched warning growl. His body will stiffen and the loose circular wag may become a stiff side-to-side motion. 2. A scared dog who really doesn't want to defend himself may make a high-pitched growl-bark to get you to move away from him.
Different animals will use growling in specific contexts as a form of communication. In humans, low or dull rumbling noises may also be emitted when they are discontent with something or they are angry, although this human sound is often termed "groaning".
Prevention is Best. Puppy play growling is fun, but it can scare some pet owners. If your puppy growls while playing, just stop the game. Once your puppy stops growling, start the game again.
Best case scenario if you growl at your dog — you'll get his attention because you've made a novel noise. Worst case scenario – you'll get bitten in the face. I used another example to illustrate the fact that growling at your dog is not only silly, but dangerous advice.
Pleasure Growling: Some dogs will growl affectionately, when being petted, for example. They may also growl as a request for attention. This is usually a low growl with loose body language that owners tend to think seems like the dog is trying to talk.
This type of growl with a low volume and a deep, rumbling sound usually happens when a dog feels scared, possessive, or threatened. It is a warning growl that indicates their discomfort in a particular situation.
It's just a part of normal play behavior. The dog usually has loose body language and soft facial expression, such as a tail held in neutral position and soft ears moved slightly to the side. Both puppies and adult dogs may growl during play.
The Growl: Dogs do growl while playing, but there are two ways to tell different growls apart. An aggressive growl will be accompanied by snarling and snapping, while a playful growl is just a sound, accompanied by relaxed body movements (no tension).
Older dogs will also bite at a puppy's neck just to gently show them who is boss in the home. Play fighting and neck biting helps dogs (and younger puppies in particular) learn how to socialize with each other.
Your Dog Feels Threatened By Hugs
When your dog growls whenever you hug him, you should pay attention to the positioning of your hands. If your hands are wrapped around the neck, it may trigger some aggression. He may feel like you're trying to harm him by strangulation or another deadly attack.
Open your jaw and make an "O" shape with your lips. Pull your tongue back to the back of your throat. The tighter you pinch the back of your throat, the higher the pitch of your growl will be. Move your tongue forward slightly and loosen the pinch, and your growl will be a little lower.
Cause: Dog feels intimidated, stressed, confused or threatened. If your dog suddenly starts exhibiting aggressive behavior there could be a medical cause, so consult your veterinarian first to rule out any medical issue.
They mouth or nip during play, or out of excitement or impatience: Some dogs may mouth your hand or nip at your heels while playing with you, especially when they're excited or being chased. Herding breeds and those with a higher prey drive may also nip or bite as a natural instinct.
Anxiety. In addition to vocalizing pain, dogs also growl as their means to scare away people or animals when they feel anxious or fearful. Your dog's tense demeanor every time you pick him up might stem from a traumatic event. For example, you or other members of the family might have lost grip while holding the dog.
Dog Play Don'ts
Though wrestle play between dogs and humans can be fun, the high emotional arousal that results often leads to a lack of inhibition, and that's when trouble can happen — even to nice dogs and nice people. The reason: The play style used in wrestling is also used in serious fights and predation.
The bow is most commonly referred to as the “play bow” since it best expresses how they're feeling. The bow is a common body language gesture that dogs use as communication. This playful gesture most often is their way of saying that they want to play. That is the most widely relayed message that dogs will bow for.
To growl is to make a deep, rumbling grrrrr sound in the throat, like a guard dog does at an intruder. Growling is typically interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or show hostility.
In growl the epiglottis tilts backwards and almost covers the vocal cords. This creates the hollow and dark 'covered' sound of the growl. The arytenoids vibrate against the epiglottis which produces the rolling sound.
Humans are unique in being able to express complex concepts and emotions with speech, but it doesn't mean we're not animals – roars are among a wide range of human nonverbal vocalisations that still mediate our interactions.