How to Make a Dog Stop Growling at One Specific Person

Every time your next door neighbor comes to the door, Buster growls loudly, acting like he wants to attack. Growling could be a sign of fear or anxiety, among other behavioral issues, but no matter what, you will need to work with Buster to get him through it. Otherwise, he could wind up snapping and injuring your friend.

  1. Offer Treats

    • Give Tom next door a bag of Buster̵7;s favorite treats. They should be soft and smelly, so Buster can smell them as soon as Tom walks down the driveway. This way your neighbor can bring over some of Buster̵7;s most beloved junk food snacks every time he comes over. Buster quickly will learn to make friends with Tom if he wants treats, instead of growling at him.

    Give Him Praise

    • You know the mailman is coming to the door. He̵7;s right there at noon, on the dot, every day. Before waiting for Buster to go into a barking and growling fit, put him on a leash a few minutes before the mailman is supposed to show up. As your mailman approaches the walkway, hold the leash, keeping Buster close to you, and start petting and praising him for being a good dog. He quickly will figure out that good things happen when the mailman comes over and he̵7;s not someone scary Buster needs to growl at.

    Calm Down

    • Maybe every time the delivery man comes over, you get anxious and excited about your new package. Dogs can pick up on your moods, so if you are acting a bit hyper, Buster might act that way too. He will growl at your delivery guy because you seem on edge. If you know you are expecting a package, remain calm, allowing Buster to pick up on your good vibes. His growling will stop in no time as he learns to mellow out.

    Put a Toy in His Mouth

    • You know your father-in-law is coming over and for whatever reason, Buster growls at him every single time he walks in the house. Set Buster up for success next time by putting his favorite type of toy in his mouth. When your family member approaches the door, immediately put Buster̵7;s favorite squeaky toy in his mouth. He̵7;ll focus on chewing away on his favorite toy instead of growling at whoever just came to the door.

    Stop Punishing Him

    • Punishing Buster for growling can make the situation worse. Because this certain person already is making Buster feel on edge, yelling at him makes him feel even less confident. Buster realizes he can̵7;t turn to you for comfort, making him growl at your friend and possibly you. Rather than punishing him, walk away from the person or put Buster into a different room if you have to, until you both cool off.