Some dogs resent being moved from where they are resting or sleeping and may use aggression in order to be left alone. Grumpy or aggressive? Some dogs try to stop you moving them by giving a warning and wouldn't go further, but some have learned to use snaps, snarls or bites to prevent themselves being moved.
Your first response when you hear your dog growl should be to calmly move him away from the situation, while you make a mental note of what you think may have triggered the growl. Make a graceful exit. If you act stressed you'll only add to his stress and make a bite more, not less, likely.
Insufficient rest can make a dog ornery toward being moved. He may have learned to show aggression to keep people away if he doesn't get all the rest he needs. A rescue dog may need time to acclimate to his new surroundings.
Bottom Line: When your dog growls at you I recommend that you listen to what your dog is saying. Immediately stop doing whatever it is that you're doing and move away.
Dogs will give a warning growl in situations involving things like resource guarding, stranger danger, feeling cornered, or feeling stressed.
Dogs growl as a way to communicate. Growling indicates pain, fear, possessiveness, aggression, or that a dog is having fun.
Methods such as alpha rolls and physical corrections (via the leash and a choke chain or by smacking the dog on the nose or by shaking their scruffs) were often recommended as a way for humans to establish dominance over their dogs.
Your pup is using growling as a way to ask you to leave her alone; it's not an attempt to assert authority or alpha status over you. Never punish or suppress growling. If you teach your dog not to growl, you'll eliminate her normal warning method, and then she'll likely go straight to biting.
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.
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.
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.
Growling is a very normal behavior for dogs. It simply shows that something is too much for them or that they feel distressed. Still, you shouldn't take it lightly, but think about how you can avoid it next time. If your dog growls at you, be sure to stay calm and never scold him.
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.
If your dog is in a situation where they do growl; quietly and with as little fanfare and emotion as possible remove them from the situation to a place where they feel safe and secure. Do not keep them in the situation and try to reassure them or yell at them for growling.
Your dog could be growling because they are frustrated or feel territorial. On the flip side, your pup could be feeling playful or affectionate. Their body language and facial expression can tell the “tail.” If your dog is being aggressive, there are things you can do to teach them good behavior.
Act like the alpha of the back and show him who is boss. Look him/her in the eye: When you give a command, look straight at your pet. Make sure he can see that you mean business and that it is not a command to be disobeyed. Always hold eye contact with your pet, no matter how big or small he or she is.
Breaking Eye Contact
In the wild, alphas put betas and omegas in their place with a decisive stare. If your dog breaks eye contact with you first, this is a dramatic sign of them viewing you as the alpha. It also demonstrates that you can discipline your dog with nothing more than a look.
If you have a reactive dog, working with a trainer to try behavior modification techniques that will address the cause can prevent escalation to aggression. Fight or Flight: Fear is the most common cause of aggression.
This kind of work can take anywhere from two to 12 months, as that's how long it takes for a dog to learn a new behavior.
True dog aggression can't be fixed, but by controlling your dog's aggression the overall scenario can be FIXED. If you focus your attention on fixing your dog's aggressive temperament you may be severely downplaying the role genetics play in canines.
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.