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Behaviour

Understanding growling – and never punishing it

Growling isn't rudeness, it's an honest warning. Why you should never forbid your dog to growl.

When a dog growls, many people get a fright and want to stop it right away. But growling isn't a bad thing. It's a clear message: this is too much for me right now, please stop. Your dog is talking to you – and that's valuable.

A fair warning

A dog that growls doesn't want a fight. Quite the opposite: they warn before anything happens, instead of simply snapping. That gives you the chance to defuse the situation. In fact, they're behaving very politely and considerately.

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This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.