There’s also a possibility of your dog biting and nipping due to the excess energy of being frustrated by the restraint. It may also be that they are already hungry and are trying to communicate that they want to be fed.īecause frustration growling is similar to aggressive growling, even if the former means no harm, it may be misinterpreted by other dogs or humans who don’t know your dog that well, if at all. Differentiating the two would depend on the depth of your understanding of your dog’s behavior.įor example, if your dog is friendly and growls while pulling you towards another dog while you walk them on their leash, they are likely frustrated because of not being able to go near and play with the dog (or at least not soon enough). When taken at face value, it is quite similar to aggressive growling. This type of growl may be characterized by wanting to get near their object of desire, anxiously running about, and sometimes even snarling as they growl. FrustrationĪnother possible reason for dog growling is when your dog is frustrated because of not getting what they want. If you’re a new dog owner, it might help to observe dogs in the park and see what play behavior is like to differentiate it from aggression or other forms of expression. When things get rough, you may initiate break-time from playing to calm your dog down a bit before allowing them to play again to ensure that it doesn’t lead to fighting. However, it is important to monitor them to make sure that it doesn’t lead to aggression caused by too much energy, especially with puppies. There’s usually nothing to worry about when your dog is growling during play. This type of growl often occurs when dogs are playing with each other or when tug toys are involved when you play with them. For example, they may bend forward with their behinds raised, and they may show bounding movements or a relaxed demeanor. At the same time, a dog’s body language may also indicate their happiness. In some instances, it may actually mean that they’re having so much fun that they don’t want to stop playing.Ī play growl can be easily distinguished from other types of growls as it’s higher-pitched and shorter than others. Have you noticed your dog growling when they’re having a good time? There is usually no need to fret. In some cases, you might need some help from a trainer or animal behaviorist to address the behavior. You can also place a partition between them and the “threat” to block their view. If you hear this growl, observe what is causing it and remove the cause if possible. It usually starts in a subtle manner, but may escalate if they feel a prolonged threat. Oftentimes, this growl is accompanied by a closed mouth, no breathing, a stiffened body, and dilated pupils. This kind of growl is a warning to back off. Or maybe they growl when you come near while eating their meal, which is a sign of resource guarding. For example, some dogs may suddenly growl when there are strangers or new people in your home because they may feel threatened and are being territorial.Īnother example is dog growling when they are in an unfamiliar place or when they hear scary sounds such as thunderstorms. It is a warning growl that indicates their discomfort in a particular situation. This type of growl with a low volume and a deep, rumbling sound usually happens when a dog feels scared, possessive, or threatened. Take a look at the possible reasons why dogs growl, what it means, and how you can adequately address this behavior. At the same time, being mindful of your dog’s body language when they growl is equally important. While the sounds might be similar, it helps to take notice of the nuances. One way of understanding the meaning of their behavior is by being observant of your dog’s situation whenever they growl. From expressing their pleasure as you rub their belly to snarling at another dog, there are several possible reasons why your dog growls.Īs stated in a study, dog growls express various contextual and affective content for humans. Still, when you put things into context and observe your dog carefully, you’ll be able to understand that there are actually different types of dog growls, each with their own meaning.įor dogs, growling is a way of communication. It’s easy to associate dog growling with aggression. This begs the question - does it automatically signal aggression when you hear your dog growling? Why do dogs growl? Naturally, many of us may have kept a certain distance on occasions when we hear a growling dog.
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