Growling in Puppies
Originally published June 2019; updated August 2023
“Oh no! My adorable, 8 week old ball of fluff just growled at me! What does it mean?”
It’s scary to hear a growl coming from a puppy! No one dreams about living with a dangerous dog, so the first sign of aggression can trigger some anxiety.
I have good news! Growling in puppies isn’t always bad. Sometimes it’s just part of their play.
Play or Aggression?
How can you tell if it’s a play growl or an aggressive growl? Look at what your puppy’s body is doing during the growl. Lack of movement or freezing with a growl is more serious than growling while bouncing around. Think about the difference between Barney Fife point a gun at you and Jason Bourne pointing a gun at you. Barney is all floppy and goofy. Bourne isn’t.
You can also look at the circumstance in which the growl occurred. Growling when you approach his food bowl, while he’s chewing a toy, or when he’s resting may is more likely an aggressive growl. Growling during a gentle game of tug or fetch is generally a play growl.
Growling as Communication
It’s important to understand that even Scary growling is a perfectly normal form of doggy communication. We actually LIKE it when the dog growls! Growling means he’s telling us he’s uncomfortable without using his teeth—it’s a warning.
It’s very important to NOT punish or scold any dog for growling.
Punishing the growl may get rid of the growl, but it won’t get rid of the aggression. Instead of growling to warn first, the dog will go straight for the bite. These dogs are very dangerous.
What to Do with Aggressive Growling
If you suspect your puppy is aggressively growling, contact a qualified, reward-based dog trainer ASAP.
I’m not just saying that because I make my living as a trainer. Scary growling in puppies is NOT something to take lightly. It is antithetical to who and what a healthy puppy is, and it needs to be addressed promptly by someone who can construct an effective plan for your puppy’s specific problems.
If you’re in the Austin, TX area, feel free to contact me. If you’re not local, you can search these databases for qualified trainers: