The Behavior You Don't Want to Discourage, No Matter How Bad It Gets

By Dr. Becker
When your dog growls, your first reaction may be to try and stop it. You may even yell at your dog or punish him for growling at you. This may stop the growl, but unfortunately may lead to greater problems in the future.
Why? Because when your dog growls, he's trying to tell you something — usually that he's uncomfortable or afraid. Growling is not only acceptable; it's a desirable form of communication. Your dog is giving you a warning to back off or to tell you that he needs to be removed from the situation.
If punished enough times for growling, your dog will learn not to growl and then may not give any indication when situations are stressing him out. The end result may be that he suddenly bites someone without warning because, after all, he's been taught not to give one.
Why You Shouldn't Punish Your Dog for GrowlingIt's a bad idea to punish your dog for growling, and here's why:
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