04/19/2026
BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GROWL
Not all growling is a sign that a dog is unhappy. Some growls may be part of a particular play style, seeking attention, from frustration, excitement or other reasons. They may all sound a little different and may be unique to that particular dog.
This post is about the early warning growls.
When a dog growls, especially when it’s directed at us, it’s natural for us to feel offended, insulted or perhaps even angry.
Surely dogs need to learn not to growl - growling is bad, it’s unacceptable, a problem that needs to be stopped or punished so a dog learns that it’s wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, right?
This couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with very valuable information.
In their way, they have just told us how they feel about a situation in a non-violent way without escalating to a bite.
Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily not have even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.
A dog that growls is trying to communicate how they feel. Ignoring or punishing only suppresses this communication. Punishment increases fear, anxiety and stress.
A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.
Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Learn to recognize body language and any specific situations that trigger it.
Be grateful for the gift of a growl – it’s clear communication that we need to acknowledge, understand and respect.
A growl allows us to intervene, advocate and prevent escalation.
