Growling exists to prevent aggression, not to cause it. However, many owners do not understand this aspect and automatically correct their dog.

Imagine this: You are in line at the store. The man behind you is standing very close and you are becoming uncomfortable. He steps forward to the point where he is practically touching you. There is a woman in front of you and the aisles are tight. You have no room to move. What would you do? Most people would turn around and say, “Excuse me!” or something similar. Now imagine that your ability to speak has vanished. You might try to give the man a stern look, but if the message doesn’t get through, you may eventually be forced to resort to physical measures, such as putting your arm out to stop him or even pushing him away.

The ability to communicate discomfort is very important for both humans and dogs. Growling is a perfectly acceptable warning from a dog and roughly translates to, “Hey! I don’t like that!” or “Don’t come any closer” or “Please stop what you’re doing.” Just like in the store scenario, by taking away the ability to gently ask the offender to stop, you may eventually be forced to take physical action, which could escalate the situation for both parties.

Humans are wired to understand that growls are a threat, so it is reasonable and even beneficial to become alarmed when we hear one. But a growl from a dog is actually a good thing. Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying that a dog growling at its owner is doing the right thing, but again, growling is a form of non-aggressive communication. A dog growling at another dog or person is giving a warning. If the dog wanted to attack, it would have! The growl is meant to prevent aggression, not cause it. However, many owners fail to understand this and correct their dog the minute the growl is made. The dog then understands that it is leading to punishment, and will eventually suppress it, which can often result in a bite without any warning.

Growling has its own intensity spectrum. If the sound seems to deepen, the dog's arousal level is becoming more intense. The body language that accompanies the growl also offers information. A dog that stands still while growling (as opposed to moving away in fear) is conserving energy and marking his territory; this can be a volatile situation, considering that backing away while growling is typical of a dog that is afraid or in conflict while trying to scare away the big, bad thing that is upsetting or bothering him.

If you are receiving a growl, regardless of whether the dog is yours or not, the best thing to do is to de-escalate the situation. After all, the dog's arousal level is already high enough. You don't want to start yelling or worse, have to use force, as this could lead to a bite. Instead, look down and then to the side. By doing this, you are letting the animal know that you are not a threat (communication), while keeping the animal in your peripheral vision. Then, slowly back away. Try not to turn your back on the animal if possible, as some dogs are more likely to attack from behind. If the dog in question is yours, deal with the situation that caused the growl once he has calmed down. For example, if he growled when you touched his paw, you should implement a behavior modification program designed around gradual desensitization to paw touching. Always employ the assistance of a professional trainer if necessary.

Remember, growling is a way of communicating. If we take a moment to determine why a dog is growling instead of automatically pointing out that he is behaving inappropriately, our response will be more appropriate.