04/09/2024
GIFT OF THE GROWL
Not all growling is a sign that a dog’s unhappy. Some growls may be part of a particular play style, seeking attention, from frustration, excitement or other reasons. They may all sound a little different and may be unique to that particular dog.
This post is not about different types of growls, but about reactive, aggressive or early warning growls.
When a dog growls, especially when it’s directed at us, our natural human response is to feel offended and maybe even angry.
Surely dogs need to learn not to growl, growling is bad, it’s not acceptable, it’s a problem that needs to be stopped or punished so a dog learns that it’s wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, right?
This couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with very valuable information.
In their way, they have just told us how they feel about a situation without escalating to a bite.
Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily not have even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.
A dog that growls is trying to communicate how they feel. Ignoring or punishment only suppresses this communication. Punishment increases fear, anxiety and stress.
A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.
Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Learn to recognise body language and specific situations that trigger it.
Be grateful for the gift of a growl – this is a non-violent early warning signal that we need to acknowledge, understand and respect.
It's a gift of clear communication that allows us to intervene, advocate and prevent escalation to a bite.