Dogs are cute, sweet, and your best friends, right? But then, sometimes your furry companion growls at you, and you wonder if you’ve adopted a miniature lion in your family. Don’t worry, your family isn’t alone in dealing with this. Growling is your dog’s form of communicating, but it doesn’t mean that you’re getting taken over by your pet. Let’s explore what’s happening and not freak out thinking your pet is planning your demise. Our crew at Make Your Dog Epic can help and have a few tips to start with.

First, let’s work out why your pet is growling. Dogs don’t growl in an attempt to be mean and intimidating (though sometimes it feels that way). Most times, they’re simply saying, “Hey, I’m not comfortable at present,”or “Back off, buddy.” Perhaps they’re afraid, protective over a favorite toy, or in agony. Figuring out why your pet is growling helps for a simple reason: As with humans, you can only correct a problem if you know the “why.” That’s where Tulsa aggressive dog training comes in useful for a simple reason: it not only teaches your pet about having good manners but about reading your pet’s feelings, too.

So, what can you actually do when your pup growls at you? First, don’t freak out. Don’t scream, and don’t try to “show” your pup who’s in charge,and don’t try to “show” them whose face will hurt them, ’cause that will make them crazier and hate your face forevermore. Instead, your pup will say, “Whoa, she’s mean,” and become even unhappier.
What actually works, then, is to cool down, calm down, and collect yourself, and become a sort of canine whisperer in training. This is the method of Tulsa aggressive dog training that we teach pet owners each time!

Now, retreat and grant your pup a little room to run. I mean it, not weakness, but intelligence. If your pup growls defending food, for example, or a couch square, backing off tells them, “Hey, I’m not a threat.”Once calm, then, can iron out whatever issues in development. That’s Why Tulsa aggressive dog training techniques come in, specifically when unsure about getting started.

The key for training your pup not to growl is trust, and getting them to know that nothing’s worth getting frightened about. Let’s say your pup growls when taking a toy away. Don’t snatch (and, trust me, don’t chomp!). Instead, try trading in, offering a prize, a tasty one, for a toy, a nicer one, in its place. So then, “Hey, whenever she takes my toy, I get an even nicer one in its place.” Makes them go, “Wow, sweet.”

If your dog growls at you when they’re afraid, such as during a thunderstorm or when encountering new visitors, make them safe. Comfort them with soft words, rubbing, or even a warm blanket. Don’t overdo it, though; you don’t want to inadvertently reward them for growling with your undivided attention. Balance is key, and that’s a point emphasized a lot in our Tulsa aggressive dog training programs.

Occasionally, growling can actually be a sign of deeper issues, such as deep-rooted aggressions or fear behaviors that require expert intervention. That’s when we become involved. As a part of Make Your Dog Epic, our trainers work with positive, enjoyment-based approaches to training that work for both your pup and yourself, meaning that training doesn’t have to become a grumpy, painful exercise, but a friendly, positive one instead.

Perhaps, then, your thinking is, “But my pup simply doesn’t understand.”Patience, my friend. Canine brains work much the same, pace-wise, askids’ brains, and sometimes it simply takes a little added patience in training. Consistency is important, too, in a big, big way. Don’t allow them to go about getting away with growling one day, then try to correct them with a frown and a scowl a day later. Dogs become confused in a nanosecond when mixed messages fly, and “good boy” can become nothing but a fabled expression in such cases.

One more thing: never punish your dog for growling. I know it’s tempting, especially when they’re acting like a mini werewolf, but punishment can make things worse. Your dog might stop growling, sure, but only because they’re scared to show how they feel. That’s a recipe for disaster because you’ll miss those early warning signs that something’s wrong, and then one day, BAM, they snap without any warning. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement—rewarding good behavior and teaching them what you want them to do instead of growling.

For example, if your dog growls when someone approaches their food bowl, teach them that people near their bowl mean good things, like tasty treats or extra belly rubs. Over time, they’ll start associating those situations with happiness instead of stress. And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to call in the pros. Our Tulsa aggressive dog training experts have seen it all and know how to handle even the most stubborn cases.

Training isn’t just about fixing bad behavior; it’s about building a stronger bond with your dog. When your pup knows what you expect and trusts you, they’ll be much happier and more relaxed. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your dog isn’t secretly plotting to take over the house (okay, maybe just the couch). You will sleep better knowing your favorite slippers are safe now. Plus you’ll have to worry less about a cranky little chihuahua trapping you at the table because he wants to steal your steak! Trust us we know the little pups can be fierce! Our epic Tulsa aggressive dog training will help you restore the peace in your home!

If you’re ready to tackle those growling moments head-on and turn your dog into the lovable companion you know they can be, we’re here to help. Schedule your first Tulsa dog training lesson for just 50 cents today at: www.MakeYourDogEpic.com. Hurry up and give us a call at 833-427-7959 now to talk with one of Epic trainers and start our revolutionary training!