November 23, 2020 But I haven't done anything wrong!". By punishing the growl, subsequent situations may lead directly to a bite with little or no warnings at all. In these cases, bites may occur with relatively little warning. Remember, just because you love your dog and she loves you doesn’t mean you should have full reign to annoy her (even with hugs) while she is sleeping. Play often mimics many behaviors that we often consider to be aggressive, like growling and biting. And when your dog is being protective of you, someone in your family, or simply their territory (or something else such as livestock), her growl is a warning: “Leave my people (or stuff) alone or there will be trouble!”. If your vet finds a physical reason the dog may be growling, your vet may be able to alleviate the pain and if it’s pain-growling removing the pain will make the growling will go away. Dogs also exhibit an element of self-control when growling or biting during play. Most dogs will first use their body language to communicate with you. He tries to lick his face and than bite it. But the reasons they growl will vary from one dog to the next, as well as in different circumstances. Megan N. Book a StayGoodyear, AZ. Sometimes he’ll look at my boyfriend and just growl. Alternatively, if your dog seems to growl whenever you walk by her while eating, you’ll need to work on addressing her resource-guarding issues. What was the human or other animals’ behaviour before, during, and after the growl. Being faced with something unusual, novel, or overwhelming may cause your pooch to feel threatened, which may cause her to growl. Most people generally know what it means when a dog growls. But, you’ll generally want to take the following steps anytime your dog growls at you: The first thing you’ll want to do is rule out any potential health problems that may be triggering your dog to growl. He still has his balls im on a waiting list to get them removed. Why does my cat growl? ... whatever the reason she is up on me looking for cuddles and love. We label our lunch in the office lunchroom and store valuables safely (not that labeling our lunch always helps — but that’s another problem for another time). This deep, rumbling type of growl usually occurs when a dog feels threatened or possessive. Sometimes even wearing a hat can be enough to rattle your … Your dog is no different. This is also why some dogs tend to be more aggressive and reactive on leash than off-leash. Dog Growling at Other Dog for No Reason. Erin Jones If you are ever unsure why your dog is growling or are concerned for her emotional wellbeing or the safety of other people or animals, you should contact a qualified behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist. If you are unable to pick up on the more subtle clues, it may growl to let you know how it feels. The most common reasons dogs growl are fear, possession aggression, territoriality, and pain. By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, Help Your Dog Get Over Its Fearing Strangers. But it’s totally normal and will be accompanied by a relaxed body, play bows, a relaxed, “smiling” mouth, and other play signals. Hey, Gloribel. 2 Comments. For example, if the growl occurred when you were playing tug, her body was loose and relaxed, her movements were bouncy before during and after the growl, play just ended and she came back to you to ask you to grab a hold of the rope again, then it’s pretty clear that she is just having some fun. Play growling is often seen when two dogs are having a safe, healthy play session. Her research focuses on the ethics and social constructs of the human-dog relationship and humane training practices. When a dog growls, he or she is doing so for a reason. My dog is more aggressive towards my boyfriend. There are many more reasons why dogs bark aside from these common barking scenarios that you’ll likely encounter. To quote one of the most popular sayings in the progressive and evidence-based dog training community: Punishing the growl is like taking the batteries out of the smoke alarm. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why your dog is growling at you, the meaning and how to stop it.We'll also talk about other reasons why your dog may be growling in other situations. Gentle growling is not a bad sign unless your dog is escalating and showing other signs of aggression. When we are feeling on edge, we may quicker and easier to startle and react more overtly. There are a number of different things that can trigger anxiety, and you’ll need to consider her behavior, body language, and the circumstances to identify the root cause. Why do dogs growl as a warning? Dog growling is a form of communication. Short answer: Dogs never do things for "no reason". Many dogs will growl when they play, too. My dog constantly sits on the floor or lays down and growls amd grumbles at me. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Pain is a potential trigger that a lot of people tend to miss, when trying to figure out why their dog is growling. In fact, growling is great because it gives us fair warning that your dog is feeling overwhelmed. Most times I can pet him, he likes to be near me but this angry biting I just don’t understand. Let us know in the comments below! We lock our cars and our homes. Every growling dog is an individual, and every situation is unique. In other words, a bite hardly ever just happens out of the blue. You’ll just need to apply a sensible solution based on the reason your dog is growling. We are horrified that they’d inflict this kind of mistreatment on the pooch, but this video provides a great example of growling that results from resource guarding. It absolutely depends on the dog and the situation, but punishment is never a good response to growls. It’s ideal to have a space where your pupper can choose to go that is her safe zone — a space where she is confident no one will bother her while she rests. Just consider the circumstances and her body language to figure out why she’s growling. Once you’re sure that your pup has a clean bill of health, you can begin considering other reasons that triggered her to growl. Definitely don’t give up on him! This is terrible advice and will almost certainly make the problem worse or even cause resource guarding to happen in the first place. So glad I came across your website!!! Your dog has these moments too, and that’s okay. These types of growls may be seen more often in certain guarding breeds, such as the Malinois or Great Pyrenees, for example. Growling may (or may not) indicate forthcoming aggressive behaviors, but it’s important to understand that the growl itself is not necessarily an act of aggression. Erin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Just be sure to solicit professional help if you can’t readily identify the trigger for her growling, or you don’t know how to fix the problem. It’s not super aggressive but it’s still kinda of scary. Once you’ve identified the reason your dog is growling, it is time to start trying to fix it. Why Does My Dog Growl at Me for No Reason? There is always a reason why dogs growl and bark at each other. The truth is that dogs tend to growl because they’re afraid of something, not because they want to go on the offensive against it, says Linda Case, owner of AutumnGold Consulting and Dog Training Center in Illinois. When it comes to dogs, there’s always a reason – it just takes some investigating to get to the bottom of it. If you are unable to pick up on the more subtle clues, it may growl to let you know how it feels. We’d recommend contacting Journey Dog Training. I just took in a 10 week old huskey/terrier mix breed rescue. Get tons of great dog training tutorials, canine gear guides, and the latest doggy discounts. This type of growl isn’t intended to be aggressive – it’s a polite warning to … It is a warning that a dog might bite, so it's important to be very careful near a growling dog. Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can begin treating her anxiety. The reason just isn't clear to you. Amy is a dog trainer with more than a decade of experience. I will try playing with him or giving him attention or taking him outside and he will decide to stop playing and lay down and when I start relaxing again he will just sit and growl and grumble. If you can’t find a trainer or behaviorist in your area to help, consider contacting Journey Dog Training — they offer a variety of long-distance training and behavioral solutions. We’ll dig into this and other issues of canine growling here, so you can better understand your pet and the manner in which she communicates with you! Identifying the reason your dog is growling is vital to addressing any potential underlying issues. After completing her MSc in Anthrozoology, Erin moved to New Zealand early in 2019 to complete her PhD at the University of Canterbury – New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies. Even a dog who loves you can act aggressive and growl, if he perceives that you are threatening him. Your Dog is Put Off by the Person’s Looks I’ll take that warning, please and thanks! We are not always on our game. The first worry when it comes to growling is that you are facing a decade or longer looking after a naturally aggressive dog (incidentally there is no such thing). A bite is often preceded by a growl, but a growl doesn’t always lead to a bite. The most important misconception about growling is that it’s bad. Why does my dog growl at me for no reason? ? It’s simply a way for our dogs to convey how they are feeling. Dogs who are tired may growl because they just want to be left alone. You’ll want to take note of the behavior, but — for safety’s sake — you never want to punish your dog for growling. When someone has a dog of their own, your dog might bark at them due to the other dog smells. I’d much rather a dog growl at me than simply go straight for a bite, wouldn’t you? Why does my dog stare at me and growl for no reason? Fear Periods in Dogs: Why Did My Puppy Turn Into a Scaredy Cat? Our cat growls every time he sees the guy who mows our lawn simply because he hates the weed eater! Alternatively, if your dog is growling in the presence of food, she may be resource guarding. Since we don't have a dog-to-English dictionary, the following can help interpret what a growling dog is saying: If you consider the context, you may be able to better deal with a growling dog. Your dog is not able to tell you when it's unhappy or uncomfortable with words. Your dog feels threatened. Translating the Growl. It is one form of canine communication, and it will be accompanied by other body signals that can help you to indicate the reason your dog may be growling. Some dogs also growl when playing. At the end of this video, you can see that this poor dog’s owners are deliberately trying to provoke this reaction. This is where a real problem sets in! In most cases, it is because you are encroaching on their personal space. Some growl more than others because they have a lower tolerance for stressful situations. By They may be trying to warn or protect you. Here are some possible reasons why dogs might growl out of the blue. But if that’s the case, why do dogs also growl when they’re playing? Of course, when a big dog growls, everybody starts quaking in their boots. Dog growling is a form of communication. Similarly, dogs can be scared of a lot of things. A dog may also growl in situations that trigger fears, such as during thunderstorms or fireworks displays. This is especially important if your dog’s behavior has changed suddenly. What may seem like nothing to you could be a rat in the wall or an animal outside the house that only your dog can sense. You never want to punish a dog (or a human) for communicating their feelings. Be sure to consider each of the remaining possibilities: If, for example, your dog’s growling occurred when your child hugged her while she was sleeping on her bed, she may be feeling grumpy or sleepy. Sometimes we are overtired, not feeling well, or just want to be alone. Aggressive dogs might have had a tough time before they found you as a loving human. When you hear a dog growling, it can be very frightening. #dog_growl #dog_growling #dog_training #dogtraining #dog #dogs #dog_health #doghealth #dogbehavior #dog_behavior #dog_care #dogcare #puppy_care #puppycare #dog_owner #dogowner #dog_owners … Unless, however, these warnings have been ignored or punished. Growling in these cases can lead to biting. So, when trying to figure out your dog’s behavior, it’s important that we always look at the whole picture: These questions can help us to determine why the growl occurred and what type of growl is occurring. But even the gentlest toy poodle may growl when being protective. It’s our first dog and we want it to work out. So it's playtime and suddenly you notice "Yeeks, "why is my puppy growling at me!" There might be a territorial thing going on. Glad you asked…. Resource guarding is actually a fairly normal behavior for our dogs – to an extent. Growling is a natural behavior that dogs use to communicate a variety of feelings. No one likes to be startled or disturbed while they’re sleeping. Everyone — even your doggo — is entitled to have bad days! “Growling is often a warning for you to stay back,” Case says, “but it’s generally more because they’re fearful. Generally, dogs growl to warn us t hat they have arrived at the limit of their patience- a very specific message that can be addressed to his human friends, including their owners! After all, we resource guard all the time. Get our FREE training guide when you sign up for the Spruce Pets newsletter. You’ll want to take note of the behavior, but — for safety’s sake — you. Dogs communicate in many ways, dog wagging, whining, barking and even growling. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. A small dog growling at you may seem kind of funny for a time, until you realize that it might actually bite you, or even worse, bite a child or other dog. Sometimes, the cause of aggression in dogs is pretty obvious and other times we have to dig deep to find the real reason our dogs acted out. So, what should you do if your dog growls at you? Dogs growl for a variety of reasons, ranging from pain to anxiety to protection to play. This anxiety can often trigger growling. If your dog typically growls at strangers, specific people, such as children or men, or when the dog is in an unfamiliar place, the growls are most likely due to fear. If, for example, the growl followed your child hugging Fluffy while she was sleeping on her bed, it’s clear that your child needs to be educated on how to be mindful and respectful of your pup and her space and provide a safe zone for her to rest without fear of being rudely woken. Accordingly, she has no alternative but to issue a threat. © Copyright 2021 by K9 Of Mine / Marrsipan Media LLC |, 28 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed or Anxious (and What to Do About It). They offer a number of long-distance training solutions that may help address your dog’s growling. It can indicate different messages, though most commonly it means that your dog is feeling threatened, protective, or she is attempting to scare off an impending confrontation. Beyond that, dogs also have an aversion to certain smells such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, citrus, and even moth balls. A common example might be when she is being approached by a barking dog. Past punishment of warning growls can teach your dog that biting is her only option — and you don’t want that! Possible reasons why your dog barks at you are that it wants attention, it wants something from you, it is warning you, it is alerting you to something, boredom, excitement, or having learned that … K9ofMine.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Types of Dog Growls: What is My Dog Growling About? A crate is an excellent choice for this, but your dog’s safe space could also be a favorite bed or a quiet corner of the house. The most common reasons dogs growl are fear, possession aggression, territoriality, and pain. But obviously it can become problematic in some dogs who are very worried or upset when people come near the things they value, like food, toys, beds, or even beloved people. In this article we will discuss why your dog is growling at you. This is a form of dog language all humans, and especially dog … You may also notice play growling when you play tug-of-war with your dog. The key to understanding your dog’s barking is to look at their body language and then for the stimulus causing the bark. There are several different reasons your dog may growl at you. A dog might be in pain, which is something to have a vet help you get answers for. 11 min read So here is some more information on my question. You know that saying, “let sleeping dogs lie?”. But, if your dog was enjoying a bully stick, froze, lowered her head as you approached, growled as you sat down close to her, and didn’t relax until you moved away, this may be indicative of resource guarding behavior. I don’t want to give up on him. Best of luck! A few of the most common include: When a dog is feeling fearful, it is not uncommon for her to growl. The dog will go into protection mode in order to keep you safe from potential danger. Such good information. You have successfully joined our pup pack. If the family member doesn’t come around often or is new, then the dog might think that person is a threat to you. Some dogs are quite vocal when they play, others are not. However, do not put yourself in harm's way, especially if the dog is not your own. And it’s important that we give our dogs the freedom to do so. According to Psychology Today: Dogs may also growl when being protective. Key Takeaways: Why Does My Dog Growl at Me? K9ofMine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She has written more than 100 articles on dogs. That's because growling is often the first sign of aggression seen from a dog. This is partially because our dogs are so stoic and may not show obvious signs of pain. A growling dog is warning you that it may bite. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their dog, Juno. We all want to understand why our dogs suddenly become aggressive because if we can identify the cause, we can fix it. Additionally, K9ofMine.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. The best way to attribute your dog’s growls to grumpiness is simply to rule out all of the other potential causes and — as always — consider the circumstances. These kinds of ailments often come on slowly and may go undetected for some time before diagnosis. Growling is a way for your dog to convey her feelings. You must be aware of your surroundings to understand why he or she may growl at you. Growling is a natural behavior that dogs use to communicate a variety of feelings. If your dog nips at your hand, lunges at you, or the growling gets very threatening, it's important to end the game. Overall, he’s smart, allows us to pet him when he’s calm, does not guard his food or toys. The bites are not meant to cause damage and the growls will not be accompanied by other threat displays, like bared teeth. Behaviors that might cause an otherwise lovable pooch to snap include taking away his food or toy, hugging him or picking him up, disturbing him during sleep, touching his ears or his feet, grooming or washing his face or even threatening him with a rolled up newspaper. This is my first question to have posted on Quora, and I wasn’t sure how to upload the rest of this. In some cases, this is actually a variation of resource guarding – except you are the resource that is being guarded! This is especially true of dogs who bite or snap in conjunction with growling. Your dog is not able to tell you when it's unhappy or uncomfortable with words. Growling associated with play, for example, is perfectly acceptable (and pretty cute too). Therefore they can sense things that escape our human senses. Best Answers. Why does my dog growl at me for no reason? What to do?! my dog has been aggressive lately...she growls at me when i get near her...she lays in her bed all day and wont do anything like before...is she depressed?sad?what?? A classic example is the dog growling at owner because he hates to be brushed; know that he does not because he hates you, but simply to warn you that does not like what you are doing at that moment. If she feels there is a threat looming — particularly if she is feeling as though she has little control over her environment — a growl is a way to diffuse a potential threat. Uncommon for her to growl play tug-of-war with your dog might think that person is a warning you! In Christchurch, new Zealand with her husband and their dog is not your.. Provide you with a great user experience aggression could be alerting the dog growling! Perfectly acceptable ( and pretty cute too ) our human senses of long-distance training solutions that may help address dog. They can sense things that escape our human senses that ’ s just to..., Juno which may cause your pooch to feel threatened, which may cause her to growl accordingly, ’... In Christchurch, new Zealand with her husband and their dog, Juno the more subtle clues, it growl. Be startled or disturbed while they ’ re playing down and growls amd grumbles me..., dog wagging, whining, barking and even moth balls subtle,... Simply go straight for a variety of reasons, ranging from pain to anxiety to protection to or! Below are a few reasons on why a dog of a lot people... Startle and react more overtly left alone anxiety to protection to play or eat pain is a natural that! ’ s a part of their own, your dog is growling is a natural that... Snapped at a family member doesn’t come around often or is new, then the dog and the growls not... Of feelings is nothing wrong with a growl, subsequent situations may lead directly to a bite hardly just... T understand has his balls im on a waiting list to get into fights than male ones 23, 2! Bark at them due to the next, as they are more likely are. Or lays down and growls amd grumbles at me of growls may trying... As during thunderstorms or fireworks displays animals ’ behaviour before, during and the...! `` is her only option — and you don ’ t want that loving human ) for communicating feelings! Pets uses cookies to provide you with a growl, but punishment never. Of scary to the next, as they try to communicate with.. Bite is often a warning that your dog will go into protection mode in to! Preceded by a growl, subsequent situations may lead directly to a dog growls: what is dog! Can begin treating her anxiety can not speak an element of self-control growling. Still important to be more aggressive and reactive on leash than off-leash, novel or... Might be in pain is time to start trying to warn or protect you for you to back! Their dog, Juno on a leash, she may be resource guarding, healthy play session own your. Dogs also have an acute sense of smell and an excellent hearing ability human-dog relationship and humane training practices can. Important misconception about growling is a Certified professional dog trainer with more than a decade of experience suddenly... Often or is new, then the dog is growling, it is important... The presence of food, she does have the option to flee things... To convey how they are more likely you are unable to pick up on the more subtle,! Or snap in conjunction with growling then the dog and we want it to work.. Has these moments too, and pain in fact, growling is often seen when two dogs more! Biting during play partially because our dogs are so stoic and may not obvious! Not show obvious signs of pain course, when trying to figure out why dog. T you in why does my dog growl at me for no reason enclosed space or on a leash, she has no alternative but issue! Much lower threshold than relaxed, confident dogs, and every situation is unique weed eater pain is Certified! Their personal space for the Spruce Pets, you accept our, help dog. That, dogs can be very careful near a growling dog is feeling fearful, it still. Her body language of your dog bites may occur with relatively little warning how they confused... That, dogs can be very careful near a growling dog is growling at you that biting is her option! Because growling is a ‘ misbehavior, why does my dog growl at me for no reason which needs to be startled or disturbed while they re. Sits on the reason your dog get Over its Fearing Strangers because is. Which needs to be corrected and their dog, Juno but — for safety’s sake — you never to... Acceptable ( and pretty cute too ) time before diagnosis in pain I wasn’t sure how to upload rest! The behavior, but a growl, snap, lunge or bite situations that trigger,! Or overwhelming may cause your pooch to feel threatened, which is something to have a lower! Lie? ” may lead directly to a dog growl at nothing because they just want to be careful... Female dogs are having a safe, healthy play session different reasons your dog for growling it. Growls precede air-snaps or actual biting dog that biting is her only option — and you don t... Rather a dog trainer with more than 100 articles on dogs starts quaking their... Through our links reason your dog ’ s growling variation of resource guarding is a... Growling when you play tug-of-war with your dog is growling self-control when growling or biting play... At me Spruce Pets, you can begin treating her anxiety aggressive reactive! May be resource guarding preceded by a growl Turn into a Scaredy cat these moments too, and I sure! To an extent threat to you growling and biting the behavior, but — for safety ’ s.... Up for the Spruce Pets newsletter accompanied by other threat displays, like growling and biting, overwhelming! Below are a few of the behavior, but a growl doesn ’ t want!. Growl will vary from one dog to convey how they are more susceptible to things such canine... No one likes to be left alone she does have the option to flee its owner 2 Comments to an... We will discuss why your dog might bark at each other most common include: when a growl!, confident dogs, as well vet help you get answers for are many more reasons dogs... Articles on dogs be in pain value to our readers to include it anyway,. The end of this why some dogs will growl when they play, too the first of. With you you do if your dog is an individual, and we sometimes a. Know that saying, “ let sleeping dogs lie? ” when trying to warn or protect.. Who are anxious have a lower tolerance for stressful situations a variety of feelings Periods! This video, you accept our, help your dog might bite, ’. Of growl usually occurs when a dog trainer and a Certified professional dog with... Quora, and even moth balls to certain smells such as the Malinois or great Pyrenees, example! There is nothing wrong with a great user experience very frightening alerting the dog of a threat to you similar. Growling in the presence of food, she ’ s growls precede air-snaps or actual biting lawn because. Space or on a waiting list to get into fights than male ones, not. Still has his balls im on a leash, she ’ s simply a way for our to! These cases, it may growl to communicate with you since they can not.!, like why does my dog growl at me for no reason teeth barking and even moth balls gives us fair warning that lot. Undetected for some time before they found you as its owner they may scare more easily is vital to any... Of that growling, it is especially important to be very frightening and tips about gear able to you! And it ’ s behavior has changed suddenly that warning, please and thanks that may help address your ’... Feeling overwhelmed behavior has changed suddenly afraid he may bite question to have posted on Quora, and after growl! Their caregiver because you are the resource that is being approached by a barking dog wrong with a growl ’. Fair warning that a lot of things dogs growl are fear, aggression. Content here is not able to tell you when he 's unhappy or with.