My Dog Growls at Other Dogs; What Does It Mean?

If your dog growls at other dogs, it can feel worrying, embarrassing, or even frightening. Many guardians are told that growling is “bad behaviour” that needs correcting, but in reality, a growl is one of the clearest and healthiest ways a dog can communicate.

Understanding why your dog is growling and what they’re trying to say is key to supporting them safely and compassionately.

Growling Is Communication, Not “Bad Behaviour”

Growling is a normal, natural part of canine communication. It’s your dog using their voice to express how they’re feeling in a situation.

A growl can mean:

• “I’m uncomfortable.”

• “Please give me space.”

• “I don’t feel safe right now.”

• “I don’t want this interaction.”

From a dog’s point of view, growling is actually a polite warning. It comes before snapping or biting and is an attempt to avoid conflict, not cause it.

When we punish or suppress growling, we don’t remove the uncomfortable feeling, we just remove the warning sign. That’s when situations become far more risky.

Not All Growls Mean the Same Thing

This is where body language matters.

Dogs growl in different contexts, and the rest of their body tells us what that growl means.

Playful growling often looks like:

• Loose, wiggly body

• Bouncy movements or play bows

• Relaxed face and tail

• Pauses and role reversals during play

This type of growl is usually part of healthy dog-dog play.

“Go away” or discomfort growling often looks like:

• Stiff or frozen body

• Hard staring or turning the head away

• Lip lifting, showing teeth, or closed mouth

• Ears pinned back or very forward

• Tail high and still, or tucked

This growl is communication that the dog is stressed, overwhelmed, or feeling unsafe.

Looking at the whole dog, not just the noise, is essential.

Your Dog Is Allowed to Say “No”

Just like us, dogs don’t have to enjoy every interaction.

Your dog is allowed to:

• Not want to say hello to every dog

• Need more space

• Feel uncomfortable with certain play styles, sizes, or energy levels

• Opt out of social interactions altogether

Growling is one of the ways dogs say “this isn’t okay for me.” When we respect that message, we help our dogs feel safer and more understood.

When we ignore it or override it, dogs often feel they have no choice but to escalate.

Why We Should Respect the Growl

A growl is valuable information. It tells us:

• Something in the environment isn’t working for the dog

• The dog is coping, but only just

• There’s an opportunity to intervene before things get worse

By listening to growls, we can:

• Create more distance

• Adjust walks, environments, or setups

• Advocate for our dog

• Prevent escalation to snapping or biting

Respecting growling doesn’t mean allowing unsafe situations, it means addressing the cause, not punishing the signal.

When to Get Support

While growling itself isn’t a problem, it can be a sign that your dog needs extra help.

I’d recommend seeking professional support if:

• The growling is escalating in frequency or intensity

• Your dog appears to growl “out of nowhere”

• There has been a sudden change in behaviour

• You’re feeling unsure, anxious, or overwhelmed about how to handle it

Every dog is an individual, and there’s always a reason behind the behaviour, even if it isn’t obvious yet.

Need Help Understanding Your Dog?

At Whole Dog Behaviour, I work with dogs who growl, bark, react, freeze, shut down, or struggle around other dogs, using a holistic, whole dog approach that prioritises emotional safety and trust.

If you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour or want help understanding what they’re communicating, I’d love to support you.

👉 Get in touch to work with me and we can figure out what your dog is telling you, and how to help them feel safer and more confident in the world.