What does it mean when a dog growls at you?

What does it mean when a dog growls at you?

So, we’ve determined the dog is trying to communicate with us when they growl. When a dog growls at you, a smart person backs away in order to avoid a bite. The flip side to this is that although backing off from a growling dog is the safe thing to do — our behavior at that moment then tells the dog “I win!

Is it normal for a dog to growl before a bite?

Not all dogs give an audible warning growl before they bite but all dogs do give a pre-bite-warning. The problem with this is that unless you’re educated in the silent alternative warning signals a dog displays with their body language it’s real easy to miss these signs.

What’s the difference between a play growl and a growl?

Although it’s hard for the human ear to pick up on subtle differences in dog growling, play growls can be distinguished from other more aggressive types of growl. Although every dog is different and has their own vocal range and individual ‘voice’, in general dog play growls will sound higher pitched than other kinds of growling.

Why are so many people re-homing their dogs?

There are way to many people who go the route of re-homing their dogs … or worse … they go straight to euthanasia without taking the time and making the effort to correct the problem. One of the biggest problems I find in the pet owner world is that people just don’t get it.

When does a dog growl at a person?

Threat Growling: Threat growling is used when the dog wants to increase the distance between themselves and a perceived threat. This is seen in dogs that are fearful, territorial or possessive. For example, a dog may growl at people he doesn’t know because they scare him or because they have entered his property or because he has a bone.

What is an example of a growling dog?

An example of this is the dog that growls at the mail carrier or delivery person or any other person that the dog thinks doesn’t belong on its property. If a dog growls as a consequence of territorial aggression, you may also notice it growling over other territories, like its place on the couch or its spot on the bed.

What can I do about my dog growling at people?

You can help your dog learn about people. If you know that the person that your dog is growling at has good intentions, try to teach your dog not to feel defensive or protective around him/her. Arm him/her with a pocket full of your dog’s favorite treats.

Although it’s hard for the human ear to pick up on subtle differences in dog growling, play growls can be distinguished from other more aggressive types of growl. Although every dog is different and has their own vocal range and individual ‘voice’, in general dog play growls will sound higher pitched than other kinds of growling.