How to Stop German Shepherd Growling

When a large dog such as a German Shepherd growls it can be very threatening to someone, especially to children.  It’s important to know why your dog is growling and to know how to prevent it if it’s become a behavior problem.

Growling

Growling is one way that your dog communicates with you, with other dogs, with other people, and with strangers.  Sometimes it is an appropriate response to a situation and sometimes it’s not.  Dogs usually growl when they feel threatened by something and it can be a prelude to taking the next step, which can be snapping or biting.  So, it can also be given as a warning.

Check out this Comprehensive German Shepherd Training Guide

For example, if your German Shepherd growls when children run around him, he may feel threatened because the children could step on him or injure him.  But he may also be giving a warning that if they don’t stop he may do something about it.

Your dog needs to learn that some growling is acceptable, such as when he growls at a menacing stranger.  But it is not acceptable to growl at you or a family member.

If your dog growls when you go to the dog park and he meets another dog, or he growls when he meets a stranger, these are not unusual dog behaviors.  Your dog may dislike the other dog for some reason, or he may have some reason for disliking the stranger.  However, your dog should be well-behaved when he is with you at all times.

If your dog is growling at you or a family member at home, this is unacceptable behavior.  This usually means that you are no longer in control of your relationship with your dog and your dog thinks that he is the boss.

What NOT To Do

If your dog is growling at you, do not force a confrontation or try physical punishment with your dog.  That approach will only escalate into violence and you will harm your relationship with your dog.  Your dog could bite you, or your dog could become afraid of you if you hurt him.

If Your Dog Is Growling

If your dog is growling you should have your veterinarian check him out to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with him.  In some cases there can be a physical reason for a dog’s behavior when he growls.  If the vet rules out any physical problem, then you should follow the advice below.

Stopping German Shepherd Growling

One of the best ways of stopping German Shepherd growling is to work on training your dog.  If your dog is growling at you then you need to sign up for a class with a good trainer instead of trying to train your dog by yourself. Your trainer can help you get control of your dog again.  Training helps restore the proper relationship between owner and dog and encourages the dog to look to you as the master.  Your dog will learn that he enjoys pleasing you.  German Shepherds normally love training and they love to learn so taking a training class with you can completely change your dog’s attitude and stop the growling.  It should restore your dog’s respect for you.

Once you and your German Shepherd have restored your relationship you can discourage any other growling that your dog has been engaging in.  When he growls at something or someone inappropriately you can give him a command to do something else and it will stop the growling. Your dog will be under your proper control, as he should be.

Conclusion

Growling is a form of communication and some growling is normal and even desirable.  However, it is not acceptable for your German Shepherd to growl at you or other members of your family.  Enrolling with your dog in a good training class will restore your position as the leader in the relationship and should stop the growling.