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Dog growling12/29/2023 ![]() ![]() A dog at this level of threat is reading your body language and since humans stiffen when threatened, which could be read as an attempt to make yourself look bigger, this alone could be enough to mislead the dog of your true intentions. ![]() The simple answer is back away but there is more to it then backing away. The whole body is involved in telling you to back the heck up – ears are pointed forwards, teeth are barred, its hackles or guard hairs are straight up and the dog is on his tippy toes, leaning into the imminent attack. A growl implying imminent attack comes from the belly and sometimes turns into a growl-bark. To stop the attack, you have to stop what you are doing immediately, avert your eyes and back away slowly and intentionally. Nothing is more frightening then being the on the receiving of this growl – it is an experience you will never forget. Never believe a wagging tail means the dog wants to be your friend as there is a wide variety or types of excitement. READ MORE: Introducing a Dog to a Cats HomeĪ wagging tails demonstrates excitement so do not be fooled by an obvious warning growl accompanied by a wagging tail, this dog means business and is excited about the proposition. Usually a high to medium pitched sound coming from anywhere between the throat and the chest, a warning growl may be accompanied by barred teeth, ears pinned straight back, stiff posture and movements and a tail either tucked between the hind legs if the dog is scared or pointed straight up in the case of a dominant dog. The most common of the growls, the warning growl is just that – an audible threat meant to stop someone or something from approaching. If the tone of the play growl deepens and moves from being generated in the throat by the vocal chords to a deep rumble that seems to be coming from his belly, stop the play session until everyone calms down. This is an extreme approach and unless a dog is extremely dominant, using your common sense during the play session will usually keep everyone safe. Some trainers and behaviorists believe playing ‘tuggies’ actually increases the aggression in dogs and suggest the best course of action is not playing the game at all. One of the most common times to hear a play growl is during a game of tug of war. Nothing in his demeanor implies threat except the growl. His ears will be relaxed and his movement loose and agile. It is often a higher pitch then a regular growl and coming from the dog’s throat versus the dog’s belly. It is best to dissuade play growling in puppies and young dogs for this reason.Ī play growl is usually accompanied with a wagging tail or a playful ‘chase me’ look in the dog’s eyes. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for non-doggy visitors or friends to understand that the dog is only playing and not threatening them. Many owners encourage the play growl in puppies because they think it is cute. The play growl is often the most misunderstood growl in doggy language. Types of Growls The Talking or Play Growl Learning to read what a growl means is an important part of living in our dog-happy society. READ MORE: Things You Never Knew Your Dog Could Do The reality is even the cutest dogs will growl if they feel they’re being threatened. Dogs growl to show dominance, because they are scared and potential fear biters, territorial aggression so protecting his yard, his toys or his food, part of the predatory behavior so the dog is in hunt mode, demonstrating pain-induced aggression, or maternal aggression in the case of a mother protecting her young. They practice their body language, their vocalizations and learn what gives the most favorable result. When you watch a litter of puppies play, growling is a common sound. A dog growling while in a play bow and wagging his tail is obvious but what about the growling dog that has his ears back, front legs are stiff and wagging his tail? He is warning of an imminent attack unless you back up slowly and/or stop doing whatever it is he does not like. Growling in dog language is a warning and depending on the situation or body language, what that warning means or how the implied threat is acknowledged is important part of the interaction between humans and dogs. That is one reason why humans bond so tightly with their dogs there is trust in knowing your dog will always tell you the truth. They do not know how to lie or deceive by acting one way but doing the opposite. Even when you can see what it is that is growling, the sound lends even a small dog a menacing presence.ĭogs do not say or express anything that does not have meaning. One theory suggests the deeper tonal range of a growl implies a larger animal in the dark, it is difficult to judge accurately the size of a dog growling for example. It is not known why growls developed or why so many different animals would have this one form of vocalization in common. ![]()
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