Dog Training Basics

Posts Tagged ‘dog growling problem’

While it’s often seen as aggressive behavior, growling is really another way that dogs can communicate. You can put yourself in the paws of your dog and this will help you stop dog growling.

When you know why your dog growls, it can significantly help you take the steps needed to make the problem better. You dog might have a good reason for growling and you can discover what it is and how to help him. When you see why your dog is growling, it can help you stop the problem.

You also need to be aware that growling is natural for dogs and there are some situations when it is considered ok. If you have a dog that is growling excessively or at inappropriate times, you just need to teach him when it’s ok to do it and when it’s not. However, you should know you won’t be able to stop growling completely because this isn’t natural.

Here are some dos:

· Find the reason for the growling

· Get a medical checkup if you suspect a physical or medical problem

· Recognize that some dogs growl at children when they feel threatened

· Understand that some dogs growl when someone approaches them while eating

· Make your dog feel safe

Here are some don’ts:

· Don’t give up on your dog

· Don’t punish your dog for growling

· Don’t hit, slap, kick or physically attack the dog for growling

Let’s say you discover your dog growls over his food because he is being territorial or fears someone is going to take it from him. You can help this by taking an adult that he’s familiar with and having this adult help feed him and stay close to him while eating. Then it’s possible to show him that no one wants to take his food from him. Your dog will then feel more secure. You should keep children especially away until the dog becomes more comfortable with this.

If your dog growls at children when they hug him too tight or too much, explain to your children that they have to be easier with the dog and respect his personal space. Then you can teach your dog that the children are ok and they don’t mean to hurt when they hug tightly.

You can stop dog growling with these tips along with good training. You will find a happier dog as well as a happier family when the dog growling problem is resolved. You have the added bonus of knowing how to deal with problems like this should they ever arise in the future.