As responsible dog owners, it’s essential for us to recognize and address our furry companions’ behaviours appropriately. One such behaviour that often raises concern is growling. Studies have indicated that correction might not be the best approach when it comes to addressing growling in dogs. In this blog post, we will explore these studies and explain why understanding and responding to growling in a more constructive manner is crucial for maintaining a healthy and harmonious relationship with our canine friends.
Communicative Value of Growling
Research indicates that growling is a form of communication used by dogs to express their feelings or discomfort in various situations (Yin, 2013). By growling, dogs are attempting to communicate their needs, boundaries, or potential fears. It serves as an early warning system, alerting us to potential issues and allowing us to intervene in a more supportive and empathetic way.
Suppression vs. Resolution
Studies have shown that correcting a dog’s growl through punishment or aversive techniques may suppress the immediate behaviour but does not address the underlying cause (Deldalle & Gaunet, 2014). This approach merely discourages dogs from expressing their feelings openly, potentially leading to increased anxiety, fear, and even escalated aggression in the long run. It is important to remember that growling is a symptom of an underlying issue, not the issue itself.
Emotional and Behavioural Consequences
A study by Gazzano et al. (2018) found that dogs subjected to corrective measures for growling exhibited higher stress levels and an increased risk of aggressive responses in future situations. These findings support the notion that correction-based approaches may inadvertently escalate the problem and have detrimental effects on the overall well-being of our furry companions.
Fear and Trust
Addressing growling through punishment can erode a dog’s trust in their owners and can intensify fear-based behaviours. Building trust and providing a safe environment are key factors in addressing and resolving growling issues (Duffy et al., 2021). Positive reinforcement training methods, such as counter-conditioning and desensitization, have shown promising results in reducing fear-related behaviours in dogs.
Professional Guidance and Training
When faced with growling or other behavioural concerns, seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviourist is strongly recommended. Trained professionals can help identify the underlying causes of growling and design individualized behaviour modification plans. These plans typically focus on positive reinforcement and reward-based training techniques, ensuring a more constructive approach to address and resolve the issue.
Understanding and responding to growling in a positive and empathetic manner is crucial for fostering a healthy and trusting relationship with our dogs. Recent studies have highlighted the limitations and potential harm of correcting growling behaviour through punishment. Instead, dog owners should focus on addressing the underlying cause, promoting trust, and employing positive reinforcement training techniques. By prioritizing their emotional well-being, we can create a safe and harmonious environment for our canine companions to thrive.
References
- Deldalle, S., & Gaunet, F. (2014). Effects of two training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog (Canis familiaris) and on the dog-owner relationship. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9(2), 58-65.
- Duffy, D. L., Serpell, J. A., & Lund, J. D. (2021). Relationship between stress and behavior in dogs and implications for training and welfare. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 51(2), 351-365.
- Gazzano, A., Mariti, C., Notari, L., Sighieri, C., & McBride, E. A. (2018). Effects of early gentling and early environment on emotional development of puppies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 205, 233-240.
- Yin, S. (2013). How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves. TFH Publications.