When dogs growl at visitors, their territorial behavior or fear is usually responsible. In individual cases it can also be due to jealousy, training errors, protective instincts or existing pain.
This can be dangerous for children or seniors. Because if they are frightened by the growling and fall, then the dog owner is liable for all damages. [1]
This also explains why in 15 of the 16 federal states in Germany it is mandatory to take out liability insurance for all dogs or only certain breeds.
Personal injuries can quickly run into the millions. And that even if the dog only growls at visitors and doesn't even bite.
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Causes
Growling is a means of communication for dogs and is never without reason. So the better you understand the cause, the better chance you have of being able to change it.
#1 Protective instinct
To this day, dogs are still primarily used as guard dogs in most parts of the world. Because crime is still a big issue internationally.
In Germany, on the other hand, it is extremely safe in comparison. And yet most breeds have a strong protective instinct due to their origins or past.
Some breeds, such as all Great Dane species, have even been specifically bred to bark, growl or even attack when they come into contact with strangers.
Here the growl serves as a warning. If visitors come too close too quickly, the dog may snap. Every owner’s horror scenario.
#2 Lack of feedback
Neither humans nor dogs were born with a manual of etiquette. You must therefore first learn which behavior is okay and which is not.
This is why it's incredibly important to provide feedback on both bad and good behavior. Dogs are also much more primitive than humans here.
For this reason, it is important that the feedback comes immediately after the visitor growls – without a delay. [2]
#3 Jealousy
As a rule of thumb, you can remember: the more trusting and loving a dog is, the more prone it is to jealousy.
The problem? If your guest suddenly gets significantly more attention than your dog, he will always see strangers as direct competition.
Typical behaviors here include barking, growling and lunging. Sometimes dogs start peeing out of spite, just to draw attention to themselves. [3]
#4 Fear
If dogs are not accustomed to regular contact with people at an early age, they will always see them as a potential danger.
Here, the growling of visitors is not a sign of aggression, but simply an indication of fear and anxiety. This is very common with animals from animal shelters.
Under certain circumstances, hormonal disorders such as “Cushing’s syndrome” can also be responsible. The vet can help here.
It is also important that puppies are not separated from their mother too early. Otherwise, anxiety and panic are almost inevitable. [4]
#5 Unintentional training error
Dogs are known to primarily repeat behavior that is rewarded and avoid behavior that is punished. This basic rule is often subconsciously violated by first-time owners.
For example, if the dog growls at visitors or strangers and then gets more attention, it will continue this behavior.
The same applies if owners, out of desperation, give their dog a treat to stop the growling. This causes him to associate growling with a reward.
In addition, the mistake often made with young puppies is that growling is classified as sweet and is rewarded with extra tenderness and petting.
#6 Hunting instinct
In dogs with a strong hunting instinct, this instinct can also be triggered by visitors. This is especially the case with children and babies.
The larger the dog is compared to the child, the greater the likelihood. Caution is particularly advised with Shar-Peis, Rottweilers, American Pit Bull Terriers and Akitas.
The dangerous thing about hunting? Only a few dogs announce their instinct by growling. However, many people attack immediately without first pointing it out. [5]
#7 Toxic smell
Depending on the breed, dogs smell between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than humans. Her nose is so good that we lack the imagination. [6]
This also explains why some dogs sometimes growl at alcoholics and drug addicts. Because they perceive these neurotoxins much more strongly.
#8 Territorial behavior
For wolves, it was and still is essential to have their own territory that provides enough water and food.
Since their own territory is important for survival, they will defend it to the death if necessary. For this reason, even pet dogs that have been around for years still tend to exhibit this behavior.
Because dogs and wolves are still 99.9% genetically identical. [7] Highly territorial breeds often growl and bark at visitors who approach their home.
Here, the growl serves both as a warning for the guest and as an alarm signal for the rest of the pack. And when it comes to domestic dogs, the pack means the family.
#9 Existing pain
If dogs suddenly react aggressively to strangers or even growl at visitors, this can indicate existing pain.
The three most common causes here are an ear infection, a splinter in the ball of the foot and arthritis. Here aggression is just an ancient survival mechanism.
But increasing blindness, dementia or hearing loss can also be responsible for the growling. Because all of these causes are accompanied by strong fear. [8]
When dogs start to growl when you visit, it is usually due to their protective instinct, lack of feedback, jealousy or fear. In some cases, this can also be due to training errors, the hunting instinct, a toxic smell, their territorial behavior or pain.
Solution
The better you understand the cause, the easier it will be to stop the growling. Regardless of this, the following 11 measures have also proven effective in practice:
#1 Gradual socialization
If dogs are not accustomed to contact with strangers at an early age, this can later manifest itself in unusual aggression.
This is especially true for small, sensitive breeds that are naturally very fearful, as well as large territorial breeds that were previously used as guard and protection dogs.
Although training is more effective with young dogs, age should never be an excuse. To socialize your dog, you should introduce contact gradually.
Have a good friend wear a mask so that your dog will see him as a stranger. Then position it around 20 meters away.
As soon as your dog gets used to it and no longer growls at the “visitor”, you can shorten the distance to 15 meters. Then 10, 7, 5, 3 and finally 1 meter. [9]
#2 Skip arrival
Territorial behavior is particularly triggered when strangers enter the property or even come through the door.
You can specifically avoid this trigger by letting your guests into the dining or living room before your dog is let in to greet them.
This subconsciously signals to your four-legged friend that they are not unwanted intruders. And as a result, there is no reason to growl anymore. [10]
Here it is enough if your visitor writes you a message shortly before they arrive and you then lock your dog in a room without a window for a short time.
#3 Dog gate in the house
To be on the safe side, you can also use a dog guard like this. It is designed so that you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
In addition, it does not have to represent a round stable, but can also be used as a room divider. This can also be really useful for socialization.
#4 Targeted distraction
Dogs are very instinct driven. The problem? Instincts are difficult to train out. However, it is much easier to trigger a stronger instinct.
And this is where squeaky toys or treats can be a great solution. This triggers both their play instinct and their deeply rooted survival instinct.
At the same time, it creates positive emotions. The likelihood that your dog will then growl at your visitors or even react aggressively is very low.
The more playful your dog is, the more effective this method is. After a while, your dog will automatically search the ground for his reward when greeting you.
Important here: The treats and toys should be ready before contact. Otherwise, he will associate the growl with a reward. [11]
#5 Introduce command
Any ex-smoker can tell you that it is extremely difficult to stop a behavior. However, it is much easier to replace the behavior with something else.
For this reason, a simple “no” command is not as effective as a “sit” or “down.” Because the last 2 commands ask the dog to do something different.
The important thing here is that you give the command before he growls at the visitor. Because otherwise he thinks he should growl first and then sit.
This method is also very effective if your dog sometimes jumps at visitors. Here, too, you can reward your dog with a treat for good behavior.
#6 Consistent feedback
Consistency is key when training children and dogs too. So if your four-legged friend behaves inappropriately, you have to tell him.
Dogs have no sense of what behavior is okay for us and what is not. You still have to learn that. But that doesn't mean you have to be overly strict.
Because it's not like dogs have a passion for aggressive behavior or growling. It can also help to involve a friend or acquaintance in training.
A large black cloth or a mask is usually enough for the dog to classify the familiar person as a strange visitor. [12]
Important here: Only open the door if your dog is behaving in a friendly manner. If he doesn't do this, you should give him the appropriate feedback by closing the door.
#7 Dog Clicker
A dog clicker is a small, handy device that makes a mechanical “click” sound at the push of a button. This sound almost never occurs in nature.
This also explains why it triggers immediate interest in dogs and makes your dog look at you. That is…