A dog growling at its owner might seem like a behaviour that needs to be stamped out — but telling it off could be turning a warning into something far more dangerous.
A dog expert says that punishing a growling canine could silence one of the clearest signals it gives before biting, leaving owners unaware their pet is frightened, uncomfortable or feeling threatened.
And it is not just growling that owners are getting wrong, with seemingly naughty behaviours such as barking, jumping on visitors and chewing household belongings often signs of anxiety rather than bad manners.
The Everyday Dog Trainer owner and head trainer Jasmine “Jazz” Parker said that growling and snapping were forms of communication that should never be punished.
“The mistake a lot of owners make is telling their dog ‘no’ the moment it growls — and that’s a big mistake because the growl is a very clear warning sign,” she said.
“Suppress that warning and next time you don’t get the growl, you just get the bite.”
Ms Parker said that owners needed to understand what was driving their dog’s behaviour rather than trying to stop it.
Barking at everything, for example, was not necessarily a dog being protective or badly behaved.
It could be telling its owner it is uncomfortable and wants whatever is troubling it to go away.
Other warning signs include panting when it is not hot, pacing, refusing to settle and pulling towards home when out walking.
Even a dog jumping all over visitors might not be displaying excitement.
Ms Parker said that it could be overwhelmed and struggling to cope with the attention.
She said that one of the more subtle signs was “whale eye”, when a dog turns its head or looks away but keeps its eyes fixed on whatever is making it uncomfortable.
Freezing, stiffening or suddenly becoming unusually quiet were also indicators that a dog was struggling.
Destructive chewing was another behaviour owners should look beyond before reaching for the punishment.
“Anxiety can drive dogs into repetitive or escape-related behaviours,” Ms Parker said.
“Some really human-dependent dogs will even go for items that smell like their favourite person.”
Ms Parker, who is based in Brisbane, said that owners should change the question from how to stop a behaviour to what their dog was trying to communicate.
“Behaviour is information. Once you understand why it’s happening, you can actually start changing it,” she said.
The warning comes as the festive season approaches, bringing unfamiliar visitors, disrupted routines, boarding arrangements and holiday travel that can all leave dogs unsettled.
Ms Parker said that even dogs that appeared perfectly comfortable at home could become clingy, vocal or anxious when their usual routine was interrupted.
“A change in routine removes all the predictability a dog relies on — and predictability is a huge part of how dogs feel safe,” she said.
Visitors can also unknowingly make an anxious dog feel worse by getting too close, staring at it or making excited noises.
“The worst thing a guest can do is stare at a dog, get right in their face and make baby noises. Insecure dogs really don’t like that,” Ms Parker said.
“The kindest thing anyone can do is ignore the dog and let them adjust in their own time.
“The goal is neutrality. Your dog doesn’t need to love everyone who comes into the house.”
Owners tempted to dress their pets in festive outfits for Christmas photos should also pay attention to how their dog reacts.
Ms Parker said that while some dogs were comfortable wearing clothes, others became distressed.
If a dog freezes, walks stiffly or starts licking its lips, owners should not force it to wear the outfit.
She said that exercise, mental enrichment and teaching dogs new skills could help them regulate their emotions and feel more settled.
Giving a dog something to lick could also help calm it, while a crate or tethering arrangement, introduced appropriately and positively, could give a quiet space to switch off.
Ms Parker also recommended preparing dogs well ahead of unfamiliar experiences, particularly air travel, rather than waiting until the day to find out how they coped.
She said that owners should gradually introduce short, positive sessions in a crate or carrier before attempting to fly.
“It’s how they handle novelty and confinement specifically,” she said. “Rather than finding out for the first time on the day.”
Ms Parker, who has a special interest in puppies and Dachshunds, partnered with Australian air-dried dog food brand Eureka Pet Co to help owners better understand their pets’ behaviour.
She said that functional treats designed to support calm behaviour could be part of an anxious dog’s toolkit.
But it should be used alongside training and enrichment rather than as a replacement for them.
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