A Guide to Dog Growls & What They Mean

When you hear a dog growl, your initial instinct is probably that it’s out of aggression. In fact, there are around 5 reasons why your dog is growling – Let’s take a look at what they are and how you can identify them.

Why Do Dogs Growl?

First of all, we wanted to address the reason behind why your dog growls in the first place. Any sound they make, whether it’s a growl, a bark or a whine, means that they are trying to communicate how they are feeling to you.

If you listen close enough to your dog’s growl each time, you will be able to hear the difference and eventually identify what they are trying to tell you. Also, make sure you take notice of the different environment and situation they are in when they growl as this can be a big indicator of how they are feeling too.

What Are the Different Dog Growls?

Anger and Aggression

Your dog will growl out of aggression just like you may initially think, but there are ways you can identify that they are definitely telling you that they are angry. The three L’s can indicate that your dog is growling with aggression: loud, long and low rumbles. Their body language will also immediately tell you that they are angry, with raised hackles, lunging movements and snapping.

The motion behind this growl is to express their power; their reason for anger is commonly if they have seen something they want to hunt, or they want to exert their dominance over another canine. Always be cautious when trying to separate your dog from this situation and never encourage their aggression.

Frustration and Irritation

Commonly misinterpreted as aggression, your dogs can growl due to frustration as well which is most similar to a pleasure growl. Dogs don’t handle irritation very well which is why it is often expressed with low, rumbling growl.

This often occurs when there is something separating the owner and the dog, like a fence or a wall. The frustration reflects the desperation of your pet to see you and highlights their irritation at the thing that is separating you. They can hear you, but they can’t greet you!

A Warning Sign

At times, dogs feel uncomfortable just like we do and their way of telling us is with a rumbling type of growl. This would be paired with a set jaw, stiff body language and dilated pupils.

They may feel uncomfortable because something is scaring them, or they are being possessive or territorial over their space or an object. Take notice of the surroundings and pay attention to whatever us causing your dog to feel threatened or afraid. It may be you or it may be another dog, so try to safely remove the perpetrator out of their personal space.

Playing and Having Fun

You may be confused if you hear your dog growl while they are playing with you or a fellow dog, but this is actually a sign that they are having fun. Play growls can be distinguished from other growls because they are slightly higher pitched and shorter. Soon enough, you will be able to differentiate these growls apart from aggressive ones but to help, take notice of their body language too.

If they are bending down onto their front legs and raising their backside or performing bounding motions, then they are playing and telling you they want to carry on. Keep an eye on them just in case it gets rough, but your dog will be able to tell when to stop or calm down as well.

Pleasure and Happiness

A dog may growl out of pleasure, just like a cat purrs when they are happy. This will usually occur when they are getting any sort of attention, whether it’s a belly rub or a cuddle on the sofa, or even when they are anticipating this attention.

While they are growling with pleasure, they may be showing their teeth which may look aggressive but try to look at it as a smile. Low and loose, this growl is the complete opposite of an aggressive growl and is their way of telling you that they are happy and relaxed.

How Feeding Raw Can Affect Your Dog’s Growl

By feeding your dog a raw diet, it won’t stop your dog from growling by any means, but it gives your pet more energy that they are able to control better. Their temperament will improve, becoming calmer and experiencing less aggressive growls.

Come to Kiezebrink for all of your raw dog food needs today!