So, the dog is growling. Obviously he is upset.But what is causing these feeling?

The most important rule of all, is NEVER punish your dog for growling.

It's understandable for you to get concerned or frustrated over doggy growls, but your response is these scenarios is really important. Hitting or yelling at your dog can only escalate the situation. Also, if you sold your dog or choose to punish them for their behavior you are not resolving the issue.

Determine the Cause of Dog Growling

• Pain:If dog growling is a reaction to pain or illness, you may notice that he only growls when certain parts of his body are touched. He may also show other symptoms of illness or injury, such as decreased appetite, lethargy, weight loss, biting or licking specific areas of his body, or hair loss.

• Fear:If your dog typically growls at strangers, specific people, such as children or men, or when he is in unfamiliar places, his growls are most likely due to fear. Dogs may also growl insituations which trigger fears, such as during thunderstorms.

• Territoriality:This is the dog that growls at the mail carrier or delivery person or any other person he feels does not belong on his property. If a dog growls out of a sense of territoriality, you may also notice the dog growling over his place on the couch or his spot on the bed. Dog growling occurs any time a dog feels that someone – stranger or family member – is encroaching on his territory.

• Possession Aggression:This can also be referred to as resource guarding. A dog who displays possession aggression may growl when someone approaches him while he's eating, playing with certain toys, or chewing on a bone or rawhide.

Putting an End to the Growling

How to get a dog to stop growling? Do not suppress his ability to growl. Instead, find out why he is doing this and then deal with the underlying problem. Once the issue, be it pain, possession aggression, fear, or territoriality has been dealt with, the dog will no longer need or want to growl.

A dog who growls because of pain or illness is simple to discover. If you suspect that your dog is ill or injured, you should immediately call your veterinarian. Proper medical treatment should alleviate his pain, and therefore the dog will no longer feel the need to growl.

There are several factors that can contribute to a behavioral problem in your pooch. But how severe is the behavioral problem? The dog may respond well to a training program or may need a much more in-depth behavior modification program. Don’t give up on him or respond in kind with anger. You can get through this with your dog and the two of you emerge better friends.

It's so important to understand the underlying sources for growling, because you could find yourself being angry or frustrated with your dog when you should be more empathetic to their needs.

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