Instructions
Look for any changes in your home if the growling has just begun or has increased in frequency. Ask yourself if there has been a change in her training schedule, or if a new stimulus has been introduced to her, such as a baby or other pet. Determine why she is growling to determine the appropriate action to take.
Take him to the veterinarian if you suspect he may be ill or injured. Be prepared to give the veterinarian a detailed description of when your puppy is growling. Growling when being touched in a certain area, for instance, may indicate a physical ailment in your puppy. Once your puppy has been given a clean bill of health, begin training tactics to get his growling under control.
Stay close to your puppy as she eats. She may growl during mealtime if she feels territorial and threatened that someone will take her food away. This is a common behavior. Gain your puppy̵7;s trust by slowly approaching her food bowl and adding food. This will teach her that humans give food, not take it.
Ignore your puppy when he is growling. Turn your back on your puppy or leave the room. Reinforce to him that growling will not be rewarded or acknowledged.
Continue all basic training commands with your puppy. Commands such as "sit," "stay" and "come" are essential commands your puppy should learn for his overall behavior training. As you master these commands, you are strengthening the fact that you are the alpha in your pack. You will naturally see the growling decrease in your puppy as he learns his place in your family.
Take your puppy to obedience school if you are having difficulty teaching her on your own. This is also a great opportunity to socialize her, which in turn will help control her growling.
How to Train a Growling Puppy
Puppies and dogs growl for several reasons. A puppy may growl during play. He may growl to try to establish dominance. He may growl when he is scared, hurt or experiencing something unpleasant. While all puppies growl, be aware of when he is growling. Growling during play is acceptable as long as his tail is wagging and he is clearly not showing signs of aggression at the time. If your puppy is growling when he eats or as people approach him, you may have social or aggression issues to address.