| To make the task of stopping a dog from growling | | | | activity. Ask them to simply move away gradually |
| easier, we ought to understand why the dog growls | | | | from the dog's vicinity. Tell them to never run away |
| in the first place. Growling is considered to be an | | | | from the growling dog as it irritates him further. Such |
| assertive behavior which is triggered by any unfamiliar | | | | incidents must always bereported to the parents, as |
| event, person or even another animal. Thus a dog | | | | then you could focus more on this area while training. |
| would growl when an unknown or sometimes known | | | | 3. It must be understood that dogs growl when |
| entity comes his way. This is his way of saying that | | | | intimidated by some one. Sometimes sheer size is |
| he wants to be left alone or he does not approve | | | | perceived as a threat and the dog starts growling. So |
| what he expects would follow. | | | | when a huge man approaches a dog, however kind |
| In other words, he feels threatened. As soon as the | | | | his intention may be, the dog thinks him to be a |
| approaching person or animal moves away, this would | | | | threat. In such cases the man should squat and bring |
| be interpreted as showing respect to the dog and | | | | himself at the same level as the dog. Then approach |
| soon the animal should stop growling. Anyone who | | | | him gently with extended hand - palm facing up. Then |
| has a pet dog at home should understand many such | | | | talk to the dog in a calm and gentle voice. |
| myriad ways in which canines communicate so that | | | | 4. If you find that the dog is growling for no |
| there could be safe co-existence between the dog | | | | apparent reason and is snapping at every thing, it |
| and the rest of the family. | | | | might be right for you to get a medical check up |
| This is especially important when the household has | | | | done for the dog. Your vet could do some tests to |
| children, who are known to be particularly | | | | check hormonal balance, neurophysiologic functions |
| affectionate towards any pet. What happens when | | | | and allergies, if any. You never know, there could be |
| someone ignores the growling and continues to | | | | underlying causes for his growling, which when |
| approach the dog casually? The dog treats the | | | | corrected could stop him from growling. |
| situation as threatening and expects adverse events | | | | 5. There are some dogs which growl when he is |
| to follow. Therefore he may start barking, or even | | | | eating and someone gets close. The reason for this is |
| snap and bite the approaching individual or animal as | | | | that he is simply possessive about his food and |
| the case may be. Having briefed you so far on the | | | | scared that this person might take his food away. To |
| reason why a dog growls, let me provide you with 5 | | | | correct this behavior, choose an adult who the dog |
| sure-shot tips to stop the dog from growling: | | | | loves most. Let this adult start feeding the dog and |
| 1. It is recommended that you should never punish a | | | | stay close to him while he is eating. |
| dog for growling. Your punishment or reprimand may | | | | To start with, simply stay with the dog and talk to |
| stop the dog from growling temporarily, but he would | | | | him with a reassuring and calm voice. Once the dog is |
| develop a latent behavior where he bites or snaps at | | | | used to this, then let the adult approach the dog |
| people, without any warning in future. So the best | | | | while he is eating, go on reassuring him with his gentle |
| solution under such circumstances is to respect the | | | | voice. |
| animal and let him be. He would stop growling as soon | | | | Once the dog is used to this habit also let the adult |
| as he realizes that there is nothing disturbing his | | | | touch the dog with slow and gentle movements |
| peace any more. | | | | while he is eating. Though this procedure to stop him |
| 2. Explain to your children why a dog growls and if | | | | from growling could take a long time, but this |
| the dog starts growling suddenly, they should | | | | happens to be one of the sure-shot ways to |
| immediate stop doing whatever they were doing as | | | | reassure a dog and take away the threat element, |
| it is obvious that the dog is getting irritated with their | | | | which makes him growl in the first place. |