Growling is a crucial part of a dog’s communication. It is the dog’s way to tell us that something is not right; it is his first line of communicating when he’s unhappy with something. The best way to deal with the undesirable behavior is to find out what causes it and calm the dog. Nobody likes a dog that growls but punishing the dog will just make the situation worse.
A growl is a warning that the dog may bite or attack. The most important thing is to respect this “early warning system” and stop whatever you are doing that is causing this response. The dog is warning you that something is not right – it may be in pain, or it may be warning you that someone is at the door.
Defuse the situation by stopping what you’re doing. If your dog growls and bites almost immediately, then move away at once. If there is a good warning time before biting, stop your action that elicited the growl but stay near to it until the dog relaxes and then move away.
Find out what causes the dog stress. Start by looking at yourself and your household – if you are stressed, the dog will pick it up and react. Noise phobias like thunder, the vacuum cleaner, loud screaming from children, can also cause stress for a dog. Unfamiliar people and situations are other causes of stress for the dog, for example, if it is unaccustomed to strangers or children it may be anxious or fearful when they come near him.
Remember that stress causes aggression and can accumulate; a change in routine, unfamiliar visitors and guests, and arguments can all cause a change of behavior in a dog. If the dog growls when you’re grooming it, or touch it in a specific area, he may have a medical condition that is causing sensitivity or pain. All these things and many more, if stressful for your dog, can easily cause an aggressive response.
It’s only when you have established the cause of the unwanted behavior that you can deal with it. If there’s a medical problem that causes pain, the dog obviously needs to see a vet. If the problem is more complicated you need to convince the dog that the bad thing is a good thing. You may have to get professional assistance to help you create and implement a behavior modification program, to help the dog overcome the triggers that are causing him to resort to warning growls.