Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Don't tolerate growing. Tell your dog "no" whenever she starts. She needs to know that growling is not acceptable.
2

Show your dog who is boss. In pack life, wild dogs often growl to show who is in control. In the home, your dog may be trying to tell you that he is the pack leader and you are the subservient. Remind your dog that you are the boss by placing yourself above him. For example, do not allow him to enter a room first; feed yourself and your family before you feed him. Also, it is best to keep your dog out of your bed. Sleeping with you tells him that he is your equal. Use a dog crate instead. If you choose to let your dog sleep with you, make sure he knows his place is at your feet and not beside you.
3

Eliminate games of tug-of-war. Avoid wrestling with your dog. These encourage the growling that your dog would do when playing with other dogs. When she is encouraged to growl, you are telling her that there are acceptable situations to growl, which contradicts your other efforts to stop the behavior.
4

Avoid overprotecting your dog. If your dog is scared of a new situation, reassure him it is OK, and then encourage him to explore. If you pick him up or coddle him too much, you may create a jumpy dog that does not learn to deal with his fears. However, do not force your dog to do something when he is scared. Allow him to explore new situations on his own terms with gentle encouragement and reassurance.
5

Use a muzzle. When meeting new dogs, going on a walk, or letting your dog play outside, wearing a muzzle will help minimize the growling. When your dog is wearing a muzzle, she is aware that she cannot use her teeth as a way of attacking or defending. Since she has lost this ability, she will not be as likely to growl to entice other animals into aggressive behavior. The muzzle shows her she is not the alpha dog in this situation.