One of the reasons why so many people are cautious of keeping dogs as pets is because of their tendency to growl.

However, if you do own an excessive growling dog it is highly likely there is an underlying problem causing your dog’s growling behavior.

So, why do dogs’ growl and how can this behavior be prevented?

Why Do Dogs Growl?

Dogs are descended from wolves which is why they subconsciously follow alpha pack behavior. Their growl was used to tell all predators to keep away from the pack.

A growling dog was also a way to communicate that the wolf/dog was getting ready to attack, because it had sensed danger to either itself or to the pack.

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A growling dog can also be the first indication that the dog senses impending danger to himself or to his family.

Some people think that a growling dog means that he is a protective dog. That is not always so. You might have a growling dog just because you have picked up his toy or you are sitting on "his" chair by mistake.

This is his way of saying, "this is my property, keep off."
 

Your dog is trying to communicate with you and if you do not understand what he is trying to convey, he is going to try some other methods like snapping or misbehaving in another manner.

So, naturally you would need to understand the reason why your dog is growling.

If your dog keeps growling and his particular needs are met, he is going to understand that growling is the only way in which he can get you to respond to his demands.

Even if you punish him for growling he is going to understand that after all, you responded, in one way or the other. So, he is going to continue this unacceptable communicative behavior.

Prevention:

Here are some ways in which you can prevent a growling dog:

1. Ignore your dog completely. If you never respond to his growling or give in to his demands, he is going to understand that you do not "understand" what he wants done.

 

On the other hand, giving in to your growling dog because you are tired of his growling will make him believe that persistent growling is the only way to get your attention and gain your interest!

 

This is definitely what you do not desire at all.

2. Sometimes, dog owners do not understand that there is a reason, a mistake which they have made, which causes their dog to growl.

 

You need to recognize this mistake and rectify it immediately.  For example your dog may growl before you set down his dinner bowl.
 

Your dog may be hard of sight and has not had the opportunity to smell his food first before you put it down so he sees his dinner bowl as a potential threat. 

Or he may have had a bad experience whilst being groomed or having his nails clipped (his skin may have been accidently nicked).

This is rather tricky, because on one hand, you are confirming the dog’s belief that growling is the only way to get to you.

On the other hand, you are trying your best to prevent your dog from getting hurt by your actions. So once you recognize the reasons why your dog is growling, you can work out the best way to prevent it from happening again.

3.Train your growling dog so that he knows when it is acceptable to growl and when it is not.  You need to be the pack leader so your dog follows your lead and commands. 

You need to show calm assertive energy as the pack leader.  Your pet should be well socialized with other dogs, animals and familiar people (family, friends) so that he does not growl at them unless you command him to do so.

Conclusion:

It’s extremely important to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s excessive growling so that the correct prevention techniques can be implemented.

It’s also advisable to seek professional advice from a Vet, dog behavior specialist or professional dog trainer if the growling dog problem is not improving or getting worse.

Your dog needs to learn and understand that you are the pack leader and he should follow your commands at all times.

It is also advisable that Guard dog training be done under professional supervision to ensure your dog is trained in a proper, safe manner. 

Click Here To Put An End To The Stress And Annoyance Of Your Dog's Growling Problems! - Instant Download

Growling Dog

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