Dogs will give a warning growl in situations involving things like resource guarding, stranger danger, feeling cornered, or feeling stressed. Dogs use these warning growls to communicate to you or another animal to “back off” because they are uncomfortable.
The most common reasons dogs growl are fear, possession aggression, territoriality, and pain. Some dogs also growl when playing. Play growling is often seen when two dogs are having a safe, healthy play session. In this case, the growling does not necessarily indicate aggression.
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.
Distract them from their bad behavior. Yelp or call out if they're growling at you and step away from the situation. Remove them from the situation if they show signs of aggression. Let your puppy calm down in another room or their crate when they're overexcited.
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.
Never ever ever punish a dog for growling. The end result will be that the dog goes right from the ignored visual cues to biting without that important vocal warning. Dogs have a right to communicate they are uncomfortable with certain things they are exposed to.
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).
Why Do Dogs Growl? Growling is one way your dog communicates with you. It growls to let you know that it's afraid, in pain, or needs for you to back away from its possessions or territory. Often your first instinct is to run from a growling dog or to punish it for growling.
Aside from instincts, there are several factors that can cause a dog to display territorial behaviors. The lack of early socialization, sexual maturation, environmental factors, inbreeding, pack mentality, or an underlying medical condition can all lead to aggressive territorial behaviors.
When a dog gives a warning growl, they are telling you that they are uncomfortable, and the growl should be taken seriously. Dogs will give a warning growl in situations involving things like resource guarding, stranger danger, feeling cornered, or feeling stressed.
Stop whatever it is you're doing or the person/animal eliciting the growl is doing. If you know that your dog growls right before a bite, then move away and get safe. If you know the growl doesn't mean a bite is imminent, stop what you are doing.
Most dogs assume a neutral or submissive role toward people, but some dogs will challenge their owners for dominance. A dominant dog may stare, bark, growl, snap, or even bite when you give him a command or ask him to give up a toy, treat, or resting place.
Remember, a dog that doesn't like you might actually just be kind of scared of you — and this fear can manifest itself in physical ways. "If the dog is fearful, he may cower or crouch, pull back his ears, tuck his tail, hide, or tremble," Sueda told Insider.
Pit bulls will commonly start developing signs of dog aggression between the ages of 8 months and 2 years, although it can develop at any age and can come on either gradually or quite suddenly. It is important to note that many pit bulls do not display the "typical" signs of dog aggression before a fight.
Growling is part of normal canine communication. People usually think of a dog's growl as a warning or as a sign of defense. Often, growling means that the dog needs space or is uncomfortable. However, growling is a complex vocalization that also occurs in other situations.
Punishing a growl can be dangerous.
You teach your dog not to tell you when they are uncomfortable. They are still uncomfortable, or scared, or mad, but now they just don't say anything. They don't let you know. When people say, “The dog bit without warning,” it is often because the dog was punished for growling.
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.
For this reason, I advise all my clients and students that it is NEVER wise to punish a dog for growling, even by saying “No.” Dogs that are repeatedly punished for growling eventually may not give a warning and immediately escalate to biting. A dog that does not growl before biting is a dangerous dog.
Frustration and Irritation
Commonly misinterpreted as aggression, your dogs can growl due to frustration as well which is most similar to a pleasure growl. Dogs don't handle irritation very well which is why it is often expressed with low, rumbling growl.