Growling is one of the ways dogs communicate. If you are wondering “Why does my dog growl at me?” You should know that there is no single answer and everything will depend on the situation and context in which it happens. In this article we will see why dogs growl and what we can do to correctly handle this situation.
Why do dogs growl
As we have talked about previously, growling is a way that dogs communicate. More than an attack in itself, it is a warning sign that at the same time helps us understand how they feel at that moment Dog trainers Houston tx. Dogs can growl for different reasons: pain, fear, territoriality, possession, or even for fun . Knowing how to correctly interpret the meaning of the growl is the key to correcting the situation.
Grunting in pain
Growling due to pain is one of the reasons and is often ignored when someone wonders why my dog growls. It is possible that your dog growls at you because he has some physical ailment that may not be visible to the naked eye (pain in the joints, an object has been stuck in him, etc.). Your dog, fearful that the interaction with you could cause him harm, sends a warning signal. warning with the growl.
Growl out of fear
Growling out of fear is another reason and can be triggered in different situations, as many things as can cause fear in your dog . Among other reasons, dogs may feel fear when strangers arrive home, when they feel that something bad is going to happen or when they receive unpleasant stimuli (loud noises, high intensity lights… etc.)
Territorial growl
Dogs can also growl to defend their territory, for example the arrival of a stranger (such as a postman or delivery person) or the arrival of a guest, whether a friend or family member. Just as they can grow large territories like the house, they can also growl to defend smaller places , like a bed or the couch. Defending territory is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can sometimes become problematic.
Possession Growl
Growling to defend their possessions often occurs in some dogs. With the growl they warn us not to approach an object that they have in their possession and that they consider valuable (a toy, a bone or any other object. If we finally get close, it could lead to aggression, so this behavior should be corrected. properly to avoid problems.
Growl for fun
Dogs can growl when they are having fun, such as when two dogs are playing a game of tug of war (with a rope, for example). They can also growl at us if we are the ones participating in the game. Growling during play is usually harmless and rarely ends in aggression.
What to do if my dog growls at me
As we have said previously, it is essential that you clearly identify the reason for the barking to correct it appropriately. Do a little research on the circumstances under which it occurs and think about what exactly could lead your dog to do it. If you are unable to clearly identify the cause or have doubts you should consult a professional , as any step in the wrong direction could make things worse.
When he grunts in pain
In this case, the first step to solve the problem is simple: go to your veterinarian . It is important to ensure that your dog does not suffer any physical damage that cannot be seen with the naked eye. If your dog is older, for example, he could suffer from arthritis and the simple act of approaching him could make him fearful and make a warning growl. Go to your veterinarian to do a checkup and rule out that he may suffer from any type of ailment.
When he growls out of fear
If your dog growls out of fear, the solution can be simple or complicated, everything will depend on what triggers your dog’s fear. The solution is to eliminate the cause of your dog’s fear, which in some cases could be complicated (for example, your dog may be afraid of fireworks , which is not easy to solve). If the fear is caused by the presence of a dog or strange person, presenting it appropriately may be the solution.
When he growls out of territoriality
If our dog growls at a person or another dog to defend his territory, he does so to warn of the consequences that the person or dog may suffer if he approaches him. It may not necessarily lead to aggression, but it could happen , so it is better not to try. In these cases it is always better to contact a specialist since it is a delicate problem that is best left in the hands of a professional.
When he growls for possession
If our dog growls to protect certain objects, the best way to solve the problem is through training. Preventing your dog from being possessive with things would involve putting away those objects that could be protected by our dog and teaching the command “release” or “leave it” to get him to let go of them.
When he growls for fun
When our dog growls during play it is not a problem since in most cases it does not end in aggression . However this can scare certain people, so if you find that the growling during play is excessive, you can try to interrupt the game with a disconcerting sound (never stop it with your hands) and only allow them to play as long as they do not growl during the game. game.
My dog growls at me in specific situations
Many people report cases of growling in specific situations. As we have said, this behavior can occur in many situations, but these are some of the most common and the most consulted.
My dog growls at me when I pet him
If your dog growls when you pet him, the reason is that he simply doesn’t like it. It could be due to physical pain (he has an ailment in his body, he has been stuck in an object…etc.), also because we are touching an area that is not pleasant for him (dogs do not usually like having their head or hands touched). legs), because they are not used to human touch (lack of socialization ) or because of a bad experience in the past, among others. Ending this behavior requires first identifying the reason . In some cases, such as not being used to human touch or having suffered a bad experience in the past, it is recommended to contact a professional to solve the problem.
My dog growls at other dogs
When our dog growls at other dogs, it can do so for several reasons, mainly so that the other dog does not approach its territory but also due to lack of socialization with other dogs (as a puppy it has not been in contact with other dogs) and now it feels afraid. or rejection. Additionally, certain breeds have a genetic predisposition to develop this behavior . Be that as it may, if your dog growls at other dogs, you must first clearly identify the reason and then consult a professional to deal with the issue personally.
My dog growls at me when I approach his food.
Just as dogs protect objects they consider valuable (such as toys or stuffed animals), they can also do so when it comes to food. Our dog can growl both at people (known or unknown) and at other dogs. Sometimes this behavior can occur when the availability of food is limited or scarce, but on other occasions for no apparent reason. Something that usually helps avoid this problem is to stop putting food in the bowl for your dog and give it to him little by little from our hand. In this way he will understand that we are the ones who give him his food and only if he does not growl will he be able to receive the food.
Conclusions about “My dog growls at me”
Growling is a natural behavior for dogs and is one of the many ways they communicate. We must first know the underlying problem to solve the problem. In many cases it can be resolved easily, in others you will need professional help. Be that as it may, never punish your dog, punishment or the use of dominance does not help to correct things and in many cases tends to make them worse.