Why does my dog growl at me for no reason?
This is a question that we often get from sitter and owners who work with Rover. Help the community out by answering them in our forum!
3 Answers
He wants attention and wants you to pay attention. That is the best way to get a persons attention.
She/He may just be telling you and others that you are in her/his territory.
Your dog will growl to communicate with you since they can not speak. You must be aware of your surroundings to understand why he or she may growl at you. Most likely it is not because he will attack you, more likely you are ignoring him and he wants to play or eat. My dog will "speak" to me in a way that sounds like a growl or gremlin talking to me when she is hungry and thinks I am ignoring her needs.
Some dogs growl non-threateningly to communicate they want something (perhaps dinner, a walk, or a game of tug-of-war). Observe your environment when the dog gives a non-playful growl: Are you holding food? Sitting in the dog's favorite chair? Have you picked up a strange scent earlier that day?
Every action from a dog has a reason. Growling may not always mean they are mad, but rather just trying to communicate their thoughts to you in their own way. Try to do different things in those situations and find what he or she wants