How to Train Your Dog to Stop Growling at Other Dogs
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Introduction
Going out for a walk or to the local dog park with your four-legged friend should be a lot of fun for both of you. But the fun can suddenly come to an end when your pup takes it into his head to growl at other dogs in a menacing way. It can only get worse if your dog and one of the other dogs decide to get into a fight, as the situation can easily turn dangerous. While growling is more than just a nuisance noise, there are times when it is appropriate and times when it is not.
In most cases, your pup growls simply because he is trying to communicate. He might be trying to tell you he is afraid of the other dog or he may be verbally staking his claim on "his territory." Most owners quickly become upset when their pup growl and quite often their first reaction is to scold or punish their dogs. In most cases, all this does is make your dog more anxious and growl even more. The only way to move past this is to teach your pup that this type of behavior is simply unacceptable.
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Defining Tasks
The idea is to teach your dog to behave in a more social manner towards other dogs while you are out walking, in the yard, or at the local dog park. You need to be able to take your dog out for a walk or to play in the park as he needs the exercise, plus it will help him to burn off excess energy and become more balanced and calm.
While teaching your pup not to growl at other dogs is the idea behind this training, you also need to train yourself. "What," you say, "why do I need to train myself?" If your dog is already growling at other dogs, chances are good that you become nervous and anxious any time it looks like your dog is going to get close to another pooch. Your dog will pick up on this fear, which will only make him more protective and more likely to growl. Teach yourself to remain calm in the face of the "enemy" and your pup will learn to copy your behavior.
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Getting Started
There are several ways you can go about training your dog to not growl at other dogs. When it comes to this type of training, you don't need much in the way of supplies. However, you will need the following:
- Treats: Keep a
steady supply of your pup's favorite treats on hand to give your dog as a reward.
- Leash: To take
your dog out for a walk
- Another dog: See
if you can arrange for a few friends to bring their dogs over for training
sessions.
- Space to work: Whether it is in your yard, the dog park, or on the sidewalk, you need space to
work.
- Patience: As with
any other type of training, you will need plenty of patience. Never get over-excited
or angry with your dog, it will only make the training harder and less likely
to succeed.
Remember that your dog will pick up on your emotions (dogs are funny that way), so no matter how frustrated you get, remain calm and keep on training.
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The Positive Reinforcement Method
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Most Recommended
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Start on a leash
Clip your dog on his leash and remain as calm as possible, he will pick up on your vibes and calm down as well.
Go for a walk
Take your dog for a walk in an area where there are other dogs, give him a little extra leash to start with.
Every time he growls
Every time your pup growls at another dog, use the 'quiet' command. When he obeys and stops growling, give him a treat. When he doesn't, make him lie down until the other dog has passed.
Repeat this process
Continue having your dog lie down each time he growls. This will help to teach him that this behavior is simply not acceptable. Every time he remains quiet laying down, reward him and give him a treat.
Keep practicing
It can take a few weeks of practice to get your pup to stop growling at other dogs. Remember, the more you socialize your pup with other dogs, the less he is likely to growl at them. Be patient, the payoff is more than worth the effort when you can take your dog for a walk and not worry about how he will behave.
The Signs of Aggression Method
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Effective
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Signs of aggression
Pay attention to the early warning signs such as whining, ears pointing forward, pulling on his leash, raised hackles, or staring the other dog in the eye. These are all signs of aggression that are likely to be followed by growling and more aggressive behavior.
No rewards
Giving him a treat or praising him for this aggressive behavior is simply not acceptable, all this does is teach him to behave in this manner. It also means not giving him any attention whatsoever as this will also serve to reinforce the behavior.
Avoidance is better
When you see another dog coming your way, take your dog across the street, or if this is not possible, walk at an angle perpendicular to the one the dog is coming from. In time, your dog will learn that avoidance is better than being confrontational.
No leash pulling
Simply walk away in the other direction. Just do it, don't pull on the leash, your dog should automatically follow you. Give him a treat if he does.
Use positive reinforcement
Each time your dog follows you without growling, reward him with a treat and praise. Each time he doesn't, don’t punish him, just go back and repeat the training.
Slowly cut the distance
Slowly cut the distance between your dog and the others, rewarding him each time he passes another dog without growling. With practice, your pup will soon learn to be in the company of other dogs or walk past them without growling.
The Desensitization Method
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Have guests
Arrange for one or more "guest" dogs your pup does not know to come to your home.
Create a blind
Since your pup growls when he sees other dogs, you need to keep the other dogs out of sight at first. The easiest way to create a blind is to park two cars end to end with a gap between them.
Walk on by
Have your friend walk his dog slowly past the gap while you stand 20 feet away from the gap. If your dog starts to growl, give him the 'sit-stay' command to distract him. If he obeys and stops growling, praise him and give him a treat.
Rinse and repeat
Have as many people as you can arrange to walk their dogs past the gap. Each time your dog starts to growl, make him sit. Reward him when he complies.
Move closer
Move the spot you and your pup are standing on half the distance to the gap and repeat the training. Be sure to use lots of treats and praise when he gets it right.
Practice
Keep repeating this training until your dog no longer growls at the dogs walking by him.
Out on the street
Take the training out on the street by taking your pup for a walk. Start by cutting a wide path around the oncoming dog and reward your pup when he doesn't growl. Keep working him in closer until the two of you can go anywhere without having to worry about whether or not he is going to growl at any dog you might happen to come across.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/10/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Cleo
lab x american staffy
Three Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog is great with other dogs off lead at the beach. She is very ball focused but will even let other dogs run and play with her and take her ball without reacting. She will just wait until they let go of the ball and puck it up then. However when we are on lead walking at a park or along the path and she sees any dog she gets into a stalking stance and if they come towards her she rears up and starts barking like she wants to eat them. I've tried to walk her at a distance away from other dogs but where she can still see them but she still reacts. What can I do to stop this and relax her
Nov. 11, 2023
Cleo's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, It sounds like she is becoming overly aroused and "building" while on leash, leading to a strong reaction when her arousal level reaches a certain level from the building anticipation. I recommend hiring a professional trainer who has access to multiple other well trained dogs. She would likely benefit from being interrupted as soon as she starts to stare and start building, as well as intentionally practicing calming exercises - starting when no one is around, then doing those same exercises with a dog far in the distance while on leash, then slowly decreasing distance until she can stay calm at a closer and closer distance through practice. This process is called desensitizing and counter conditioning. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 30, 2023
Odin
corgi
Two Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I have 2 dogs. Both are attached to me. My corgi won't let my other dog on the couch with me. He will get on my chest and practically lay on my face growling. How do I stop this. They are good together otherwise. They play and sleep together.
Oct. 8, 2023
Odin's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello, It sounds like the dog growling is possessive of you - which is similar to resourcing guarding, like when a dog guards a bone from another dog because they see that bone as theirs; in this case, the dog sees you as his and doesn't want the other dog going near you. This issue is actually related to a need for more respect in your relationship with the dog who is guarding you - to help them stop seeing you as something they own. First, I do suggest hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues and aggression and comes well recommended by clients, to help in person with this. You need to know what the dogs' body language is around each other and be able to observe subtle signs that the dogs are resource guarding people, places or things, or perhaps one bullying and intimidating the other. It might not be obvious until a dog has pushed it too far and triggered a reaction, but could be going on often, and needing to also be addressed right when there are subtle signs for you to learn to pick up on - if not already doing so. Additionally, I would work on building trust and respect for you so that they are not making and enforcing rules for each other, but looking to you to do so. You want to add in a lot more structure and boundaries for now, working on things like the working method linked below, teaching both a long Place command, directional commands like Off, Out (which means leave the area), Down, and Leave It, so that you can tell them where they should and should not be in relation to being pushy with you or bullying each other, and both should be crate trained. Working and Consistency methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Leave It: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the room: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Furthermore, do not allow either dog to climb onto you without inviting them first. If they try to, use the Out or Off commands you have taught and enforce by moving pup away from the area calmly but firmly using a drag leash you start keeping on pup during the times when problems tend to arrive if they are consistently not listening to you. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 17, 2023