Why Does My Dog Growl? What Growling Really Means and How to Respond (DWAA Two-Time Finalist, 2025)

🚨 Does your dog growl and immediately make your stomach drop?
If you’ve ever panicked when your Doodle growls, you’re not alone. Many dog parents assume growling means aggression — but in reality, growling is one of your dog’s most important communication tools.

In this DWAA Two-Time Finalist (2025) episode of The Doodle Pro® Podcast, I’m joined by parenting and training expert Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting to unpack what growling really means, when it’s a warning, and why suppressing it can actually increase bite risk.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ Why dogs growl and what they’re trying to communicate
✔️ Whether growling always signals aggression (spoiler: it doesn’t)
✔️ If you should correct growling — or actually appreciate it
✔️ How to respond when a dog growls at you, children, or guests
✔️ What growling during play means
✔️ Why punishing growling backfires and what to do instead
✔️ How to help your dog feel safe so they don’t need to growl

📘 Preventative support note:
When stress builds quietly over time, it often shows up as growling. Inside Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™, I share how predictable daily rhythms can support emotional safety before stress escalates. Learn more at thedoodlepro.com/book

🎁 Free resource from Michelle:
Download The ABCs of Growling to better understand what your dog is communicating:
👉 https://poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling

👉 Next listen: If growling shows up alongside fear, anxiety, or shutdown, cue up Episode 32: Separation Anxiety in Doodles: Myths, Causes, and What Actually Helps to explore the emotional layer underneath behavior.

🌿 Supportive tools for sensitive Doodles

My favorite calming tools for anxious or easily overwhelmed Doodles
👉 https://thedoodlepro.com/shopcalm

🎧 Hit play to replace fear with understanding — and learn how listening to growling keeps everyone safer.

Do you want help keeping track of all the sights, sounds, textures, places, and people that your doodle needs positive, ongoing, and quality exposures to? Don't try to keep track of it all in your mind by using my free Doodle Puppy Socialization Checklist! Download it for free now at https://thedoodlepro.com/socialization.

Test your Doodle Body Language knowledge with our FREE quiz!
https://thedoodlepro.com/body

Transcript

All About Growling 🎙️🐶

Guest: Michelle Stern – Pooch Parenting

Host: Corinne Gearhart – The Doodle Pro™

📢 Episode Summary:
Is your dog growling? Should you stop it—or actually THANK them? In this must-listen episode, dog trainer & parenting expert Michelle Stern joins Corinne to break down the truth about growling.

🧐 In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Why growling is not aggression—but valuable communication
✅ How punishing a growl can actually make things worse
✅ The “whispers” dogs give before they growl (and how to spot them!)
✅ What to do if your dog growls at kids, guests, or other dogs
✅ When to intervene & when to step back
✅ How to create a safe environment where growling isn’t necessary

FREE GUIDE! 📩
💡 Download Michelle’s FREE resource, The ABCs of Growling, to understand and respond to your dog’s growls the right way!
🔗 Get it here →

[00:00:00] Introducing Michelle Stern

Corinne Gearhart - The Doodle Pro™: One of our most popular guests, Michelle Stern, is back! You might recognize her from our episode on advocating for your Doodle around children. Because yes, even Doodles can have trouble with kids, and we want to make sure we build happy, healthy, and safe relationships.

Michelle is the founder of Pooch Parenting, a certified dog trainer, former school teacher, and expert at bridging the gap between kids and dogs. Today, we’re tackling a hot topic—growling!

[00:01:00] The Emotional Reaction to Growling

Corinne: I think people have a visceral reaction to the idea of growling. When a dog growls, many feel like it means their dog is bad, broken, or aggressive. Can you talk about that?

Michelle Stern: Yes! It’s almost like people feel their dog is in trouble when they growl. Like, "Oh no, my dog isn’t perfect!"

But here’s the thing—growling is communication. It’s a way for dogs to express their discomfort before things escalate. So instead of feeling bad about it, I actually want people to thank their dog for growling.

[00:02:00] Why Growling Is a Good Thing

🐕‍🦺 Growling is not a sign of aggression—it’s a request for help.

Michelle shares an example from her own home:

• Her senior dog, Barley, often growls at her puppy when the puppy gets too close.
• Instead of scolding Barley for growling, Michelle thanks her senior dog for communicating and adjusts the situation to make both dogs comfortable.

👀 Key Takeaway: A growl is a conversation—not a crime. Instead of punishing it, listen and respond to what your dog is telling you.

[00:05:00] Is Growling a Sign of Aggression?

Corinne: Many dog parents worry that growling means their dog is dangerous. What’s your take on that?

Michelle: I get panicked messages all the time:

• “Is my dog aggressive?”
• “Do I have to rehome them?”
• “Should I be worried for my family’s safety?”

Here’s what I tell them: Slow down. One growl does not mean you have an aggressive dog.

Instead of assuming the worst, get curious. Ask:
✔️ Why is my dog growling?
✔️ What just happened before the growl?
✔️ What can I change to help my dog feel safe?

If we observe instead of overreacting, we can prevent future problems.

[00:10:00] The #1 Mistake Dog Parents Make About Growling

🙅‍♀️ Punishing a growl doesn’t stop the problem—it removes the warning sign.

Corinne: Some people think they need to immediately correct a growl—maybe by rolling their dog, yelling, or scolding. Why is that dangerous?

Michelle: Science shows that dogs learn best when they feel safe. If you punish growling, your dog learns:
🚫 “I’m not allowed to communicate.”
🚫 “If I growl, I get in trouble.”

And guess what happens next? They stop growling—but they don’t stop feeling scared. Instead of warning you, they might go straight to snapping or biting.

[00:13:00] How to Read a Dog’s “Whispers” Before They Growl

🔍 Before dogs growl, they often give subtle warning signs.

🐾 Common "Whispers" Before Growling:
✔️ Body tension (stiff posture)
✔️ Ears pinned back
✔️ Turning away or avoiding eye contact
✔️ Yawning (stress signal, not sleepiness!)
✔️ Lifting one paw (hesitation or uncertainty)

👀 Why This Matters: If we notice these whispers early, we can step in before a growl—or a bite—ever happens.

[00:22:00] The Difference Between Barking and Growling

🐕 Barking: Excitement, alerting, frustration, demand (e.g., "Feed me!")
🐕‍🦺 Growling: Communication about discomfort, warning, or play

🚨 Misconception: Some dogs growl during play (especially Terriers and Doodles). That’s okay! If play is balanced and mutual, a growl is just part of the fun.

✅ How to Tell if It’s Safe Play:

• Watch the body language (loose, bouncy, and relaxed = good).
• Use the consent test—does the other dog want to keep playing?

[00:37:00] What to Do If a Dog Growls at a Child

⚠️ Example Scenario: A child walks up to pet a sleeping dog—the dog growls. What should a parent do?

🚫 Wrong Response: Get mad at the dog or punish the growl.
✅ Right Response: Teach the child never to approach a sleeping dog.

Dogs need safe zones where they won’t be disturbed. Use baby gates, clear rules, and teach kids to wait for the dog to come to them.

Corinne: “We have a family rule: We only pet dogs when they come to us. No chasing, no forcing.”

[00:55:00] Where to Find Michelle & Free Gift

🎁 Get Michelle’s FREE Guide: The ABCs of Growling
🔗 Download here →

📌 Follow Michelle:
🌎 Website: poochparenting.net
📸 Instagram: @poochparenting
📘 Facebook: Pooch Parenting

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