Communication between dogs and people is sometimes less than clear. Growls are one very clear signal and something that we can act on to prevent problems. Please don't punish your dog for growling. Instead, say a prayer of thanks that you learned he was uncomfortable before something worse happened.
Should you punish your dog for growling?
Never ever ever punish a dog for growling. The end result will be that the dog goes right from the ignored visual cues to biting without that important vocal warning. Dogs have a right to communicate they are uncomfortable with certain things they are exposed to.
How do you punish a dog for growling?
If you punish a growl with a reprimand, you are adding something unpleasant on top of an already unpleasant feeling, which will only make your dog feel worse. If instead, you teach your dog to look forward to the things he was previously afraid of, your dog will stop needing to growl! Happy Training!
Should you scold your dog for growling?
As a dog owner, you probably get upset when your dog growls. Your first reaction may be to suppress the growling by scolding or punishing the dog. This is never a good idea. By teaching your dog that growling isn't acceptable behavior, you're taking away its ability to warn you that it may bite.
Should I ignore my dog if he growls?
Stop whatever it is you're doing or the person/animal eliciting the growl is doing. If you know that your dog growls right before a bite, then move away and get safe. If you know the growl doesn't mean a bite is imminent, stop what you are doing.
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