Many people think that dogs growl because they are aggressive, but there are a lot of other reasons your dog could be growling. Learn about the various kinds and their meanings by reading our guide.
Dogs attempt various forms of human communication, one of which is growling. Dog growling isn't usually an indication of hostility or unhappiness, despite what pet owners frequently believe. When your dog makes these growling noises, there are a variety of messages that it can be attempting to tell you, and if you pay close attention, they might not all sound the same.
What makes a dog growl?
Dogs use growling as a simple form of communication when they want to communicate with you. Dogs use growls to express a wide range of emotions, including fear, aggression, and desire for play. Because of this, you must comprehend the many kinds of dog growls in order to decipher their meaning.
Your dog is always trying to get your attention when they growl. It's possible that your dog will growl differently depending on the occasion, and understanding the context of each growl can help you decipher what the dog is attempting to say. Even though the sounds seem identical to us, context is everything!
One growl can be expressing, "I feel threatened," while another might be expressing, "I'm having fun!"
1 - Dog growling with pleasure
Your dog is always trying to get your attention when they growl. It's possible that your dog will growl differently depending on the occasion, and understanding the context of each growl can help you decipher what the dog is attempting to say. Even though the sounds seem identical to us, context is everything!
One growl can be expressing, "I feel threatened," while another might be expressing, "I'm having fun!"
1 - Dog growling with pleasure
You are not alone if you ever ask yourself, "Exactly why does my dog growl while having fun?" When dogs act in this way, it can seem odd to us; why would they act aggressively just when you two are having a good time? The short response is no, they aren't!
This kind of growling is a sign that your dog is content and may even be attempting to communicate with you to say they want to play more! Dogs can growl differently, and while it's hard for people's ears to recognise minute variations in canine growls, play growls may be identified with other, more hostile varieties.
While each dog is unique and has a unique vocal range and "voice," generally speaking, dog play growls are higher pitched than other types of growling. They will frequently be shorter as well, and they can be accompanied with body language such as bounding or the dog bending over on their front limbs and lifting their back (play bow). Many dogs growl as they play activities like tug-of-war.
If the dog growls when playing, whether it be with you or another dog, don't let it scare you. Although a dog that is growling while playing usually means that it is enjoying itself, you should still watch the situation just in case it gets out of control.
2 - Dog growling with aggressive
Aggressive canine growling is only one of several signals a dog can use to express their desire for space, to back off, or to halt someone. Aggression is essentially the desire to end something or gain distance from someone. If a growl seems aggressive to you or you are unsure whether it is, stop what you're doing, back off, and/or remove the dog from the scenario as necessary. Read This: What Causes My Dog to Growl at Strangers?
How do I know if my dog growls aggressively?
The pitch and loudness of growls intended to scare off bad guys can vary from canine to dog and rely on factors such as size and breed. They can also be deep, involving bare teeth, low, and rumbling. Consider context and nonverbal cues in addition to the growl. A dog that is genuinely ready for this to end right away can be identified by their rigid body, wide eyes, back ears, lips pushed back, and exposed teeth, as well as by their tail raised high and perhaps wagging tensely.
Some dogs, however, may not exhibit all of these symptoms. For example, a very small dog with hairy, floppy ears might growl louder than usual; the ears may not prickle back as far; the tail might be too hairy to allow proper movement; or the chin may have so much hair that it obscures lips drawn back and exposed teeth.
Some people have skipped the communication stages. For example, some people will growl softly, growl loudly, snarl, snap air, and then bite. Depending on their background knowledge and genetics, some people will go right for the bite.
Some who have previously been punished for growling may also immediately bite or nip someone.
Growls that warn are not to be ignored; instead, pay attention to the source of your dog's fear or threat and work to eliminate it. Your dog is just trying to communicate; they don't want to get more aggressive! Read This: Do dogs bark or howl before biting?
A dog should never be reprimanded for growling like this. If a dog was previously disciplined for growling, it is much better that you receive a warning rather than the dog attacking right away.
1 - Dog growling in pleasure
While dogs don't exactly emit audible noises in the same manner as cats do when they feel happy, you may have occasionally heard your pet make an odd purr-come-growl sound. A dog's joyful growl, also known as a pleasure growl, sounds content, but more significantly, it's very obvious from the circumstances that your dog is in when they emit a pleasure growl—if they're getting their tummy rubbed or doing something else, for example—that they're enjoying themselves!
This type of growl can be accompanied or not accompanied by teeth, but look closely; normally, the lips are going to be soft, not pushed back hard, the ears will not be pushed back, and the body language will seem soft and floppy. As usual, pause what you're doing and observe if your dog signals for you to continue by pushing their head beneath your hand or gripping your hands with a paw. If you're not sure, or even if you are, it's an excellent idea to "consent test."
2 - The dog is growling in frustration.
A dog may be growling in displeasure if you see it, maybe at a toy that they are having trouble getting food out of or that is wedged beneath some furniture. Try growling instead of barking if they truly want to meet you but are confined by a gate or fence as you approach the property. Alternatively, it's possible that they desire something you have but are aware that they shouldn't bark. Once more, context is crucial. Pay attention to the body language; while exposed teeth are rare, a physique that appears softer and wiggly rather than rigid and tense will almost always be seen. Read This: How do I recognise a growling dog?
3 - Unusual vocalizations or growling
Certain dogs will make sounds that are hard to put into words, such as growling or whining. These can be breed-specific (Basenjis yodel, Salukis produce unusual, howly-growly noises, Rottweilers "grumble") or taught behaviors (the dog has either been praised for an odd noise it accidentally made or has been punished for normal vocalizations).
Never wait for the growl to appear; instead, always try to read the body posture and ears on the side of caution. When in doubt, step back instead of assuming everything is fine!
Related Post: