Make sure your dog understands that growling is not allowed. When your furry pet growls, tell your dog “NO” or “STOP”. Try to make it clear to your dog that he is not okay.
When you and your pet are playing, your dog may want to growl, especially if you are playing tug-of-war or wrestling. When your dog does this, say NO and stop playing. This way your dog will associate the entire background and it will be game over every time he growls.
Does your furry friend know your alpha dog? Better question yet, are you making it clear that you are the alpha dog of the house? When your dog is dominating him, it may be because he thinks he is the alpha dog. To show your dog who’s boss (you don’t have to be mean), don’t let your pet sleep with you in your bed (only at the foot of the bed), limit his time on your couch, don’t allow or tolerate his impatience at lunchtime. That is, if your canine friend growls, barks, or jumps up before you’re about to feed him, don’t give him his food until he calms down.
If your furry pet is growling, he may just be a very shy dog. So that your pet feels comfortable with new situations. Socialize your pet Take your dog for a walk, meet new people and visit new places. By introducing your pet to new things, he will feel more comfortable and the urge to growl will decrease. Taking your canine friend for a car ride is also another great way to introduce your dog to new sounds and smells.
If your furry friend likes to growl AND show his teeth, like biting or biting, then putting a muzzle on your dog when you go for a walk can be a good idea, use it as a precaution when meeting new people and other animals.
Another important thing to keep in mind is to pay attention to your pet’s triggers. Do you have children who like to play rough with your dog? Your dog may feel as though boundaries are being crossed and he may just be trying to defend himself and express his point of view. Respect goes two ways, teach the other members of your family to respect the dog and your dog is less likely to feel like he has to be on the defensive all the time.
Keep in mind that fear is contagious. If you feel threatened or send out vibrations that you are nervous, your pet will feel it too. Dogs can sense when you are upset, angry, or restless. You may not realize that your behavior could be affecting your dog’s growling. Do you yell and yell a lot? This type of behavior can also intimidate your dog and make him nervous. Create a safe environment for your dog both physically and mentally.