How to Stop a Growling Puppy and Other Puppy Behavior Tips

For this Omaha puppy training session we worked with Diesel, a ten-month-old Weimaraner / Blue Heeler mix pup. His guardian set up this training session to learn more about how to stop a growling puppy. We also helped with a few unwanted puppy behaviors; getting over excited, barking, jumping up, chewing, pulling on the leash and leash aggression towards other dogs.

Because he lives in an apartment, his guardian had to come and let me into the building. When the door opened, I could see that Diesel was not comfortable with my arrival. He seemed unsure about this kind of greeting.

Since Diesel is a puppy, it will be easier to help him have a positive view of meeting new people. This can help reduce his growling.

As a dog behaviorist I have helped puppies like Diesel before, so, I shared some puppy training tips I have learned.

Why do Puppies Growl?

Puppies growl for a variety of reasons, each of which can give you insight into their emotions or needs. A growl can be a warning.

It shows that your puppy feels threatened or uncomfortable. If things don’t change, it may bite. It’s their way of saying they need help or want to avoid something.

A fearful growl tends to be low and rumbling, indicating that your puppy feels scared, threatened, or possessive. In these moments, you may notice your puppy freezing, backing away, or adopting a stiff posture.

Growling can also show pain. If your puppy growls when you touch or approach them, it may mean they are hurting. This could be due to an injury, illness, arthritis, or dental problems.

When puppies are engaged in play, particularly in games like tug-of-war or wrestling, growling is often part of the fun. If the growl seems playful, you can redirect their attention to a toy to help them focus.

Lastly, puppies may growl out of frustration if they’re bored, tired, or not getting enough physical activity. In these cases, the growl can be a sign they need more mental stimulation or exercise to burn off excess energy.

How to Stop a Growling Puppy

I spent an hour discussing ways for his guardian to help Diesel feel more like a follower. We talked about reducing perceived authority so he can return to a smaller view of the world.

If you have a puppy or young dog, I recommend checking out the Quest-Ed section of my website. I created over 100 videos on puppy training and behavior. I posted them to help others train their puppies. I use positive training methods, and I want to share them with you.

Just like humans, dogs feel stress when they feel responsible. And if they feel like they are not being heard it effects that responsibility and can cause them distress.

But in this case, we are dealing with a puppy who is essentially a baby. He needs clear structure to grow in a happy and healthy way. This way, he won’t have to worry about things like security, getting resources, or hunting.

Adding rules, boundaries, and limits helps the dog see a smaller world. Enforcing these within three seconds is key. This approach allows the dog to return to being a silly puppy.

Puppy Behavior Tips

Next, I discussed some basic puppy training techniques and secrets. These tips will help Diesel’s guardian do activities that boost a puppy’s confidence.

I also suggested that the guardian use my Petting with a Purpose method. This means asking the dog to do something small, like sit or lie down. After the dog does it, they should pet the dog while saying the command word once.

This helps the dog adopt an asking mindset instead of thinking can tell the human what to do. Building off this is the technique I suggested to help the puppy feel good about meeting new people.

ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

• Introduce rules and boundaries and enforce them consistently within 3 seconds.
• Pet Diesel with a purpose.
• Wait for Diesel to settle down before petting him when arriving home.
• Practice leashing up Diesel calmly and stop or pause when he gets excited.
• Teach Diesel new tricks and commands to build up his confidence.
• Use the Manding exercise detailed in the last video to help Diesel feel positive about new people.
• Practice the Focus exercise to develop a redirect command.
• Pick up my mentor’s book, Feisty Fido to help Diesel learn that other dogs are not a threat.