Does your dog growl over a favorite toy or chew? Or even growl if he’s on the couch? Then read below for some help.
(Caution: Growling should be taken seriously. If your dog is growling, you may need to call a professional dog trainer.)
- Growling used to be punished. Not anymore: modern dog trainers agree this is valuable information about your dog. Unless he’s play growling, your dog is communicating that he’s uncomfortable. Without it, you might have a biter on your hands who is unable to warn before biting. So, if your dog growls try one of these things:
- Stop and think: What am I doing to make Bowser uncomfortable? Trying to take a chew or toy? Trying to move him off the couch? Handling him roughly?
- Find an alternative way to reach your goal. If you need his bone, trade it for a treat. If you need him to move–call him off the couch with food or a squeaky toy. Does he hate grooming? feed treats while you comb and cut.
- Lower your dog’s stress levels: Stress is cumulative, so it’s not always about the couch–but rather several things are happening: Maybe a clown moved in next door and has lots of circus friends running around. Also, you hosted a birthday bash for your daughter’s 11th birthday and invited 100 of her closest friends… All of these things will stress your dog.
- Manage your dog’s environment so he doesn’t have the opportunity to growl at you. Keep him off your bed at night; put him in the other room when your cousin with 6 screaming kids comes over; move slowly and use tons of treats when you clip his nails.
- Rule out health concerns if your dog seems grumpy or is suddenly growling. Health issues such as pain or a low thyroid are often at the root of dog problems.
- Finally, you may need to call a professional who can help you sort this out.