Why Does My Dog Growl At Me When I Pet Him?

Your dog may be growling because he is feeling threatened or uncomfortable.

Contents show

Try to pet him in a way that is non-threatening and see if his growling subsides.

Why Do Dogs Growl?

Dogs are usually pretty calm, but they can get nervous when there are strangers around, especially when they’re not used to them.

When this happens, it’s normal for your dog to growl when you approach them.

This warning bark serves as a way for your dog to let you know that she doesn’t like someone approaching her.

If your dog barks at you or growls at you, you should take note of what made her do so.

If you notice that she’s doing it often or only at certain times, then you should try to figure out why she does it.

It could be that she has an aversion to some people and you might want to avoid her while you’re with those people.

Or, it could just be that she’s stressed out.

She could be scared of something, or maybe she feels threatened by the situation.

Whatever the reason, you need to find out what is making her feel that way so that you can help her feel better.

Why Does My Dog Growl At Me?

Dogs are social animals, so it makes sense that they’ll want to have their own space when it comes to being touched by other people.

This can lead to aggression when someone tries to touch your dog without permission.

It could also happen when you try to pet him while he’s sleeping.

There are several reasons why dogs might growl at you when you try to pet them.

The most common reason for this behavior is territoriality.

If your dog senses that another dog has encroached on his territory, he will growl at the trespasser.

He’s not trying to hurt anyone, but he does need to let everyone know that there’s an intruder in his space.

Another reason your dog might growl at you is when he doesn’t like how you’re touching him.

Some dogs don’t like having their ears rubbed, or their legs scratched.

Some dogs even find certain textures (like sandpaper) to be irritating.

If your dog growls at you every time you touch him, this might be what’s causing the problem.

Finally, some dogs growl at strangers simply because they aren’t used to them.

Is My Dog Trying To Tell Me Something?

We all know what a growl sounds like, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell exactly why your dog is growling at you.

There are many reasons for dogs to growl.

Some of the most common ones include; they are protecting their territory, they are angry, they want attention, they want food or water, they are trying to intimidate other animals, they are warning off an intruder, and they are just being playful.

There are also some situations when your dog will not growl, such as when they are happy, excited, or scared, especially if you have had them since puppyhood.

The best thing to do is try to identify the situation so that you can understand why your dog is growling.

It could help you to make sure that you are only giving them the attention that they need.

Here are some of the most common reasons for your dog to growl at you.

They Are Protecting Their Territory – Dogs who live on their own tend to growl when people approach their house. This is to warn strangers that they are living there and to keep anyone else away from their home. They might even bark loudly and jump up against you to scare you away.
They Are Angry – Sometimes your dog may growl when you come home with another dog. This is because they don’t feel comfortable around another animal. They may even start barking aggressively and jumping up against you to show how angry they are.
They Want Attention – Some dogs growl when they want your attention. They might do this because they need to play with you, or to get your attention so that they can go out for a walk. These dogs often growl while they are playing games with you, which can be quite annoying!
They Want Food Or Water – Some dogs growl when they need food or water. This is because they are hungry or thirsty. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to tell whether your dog has been fed or watered recently.
They Are Telling You Something Else – Dogs sometimes growl at you to let you know that something else is bothering them. For example, if your dog starts growling when you bring him inside after he’s been outside for a long time, then it could mean that he needs to relieve himself.
They Are Scared – Dogs may growl when they are frightened. This happens when they smell danger, or when someone scares them, such as by yelling or approaching quickly. They may also growl when they see another dog coming towards them.
They Are Just Playing Around – Dogs can be playful too, and they may growl at you when they’re having fun. Maybe they want to chase you around, or maybe they’re just teasing you. However, if this behavior is happening more than just occasionally, then it could be a sign of aggression.

What Should I Do If My Dog Growls At Me?

When your dog growls, it means he is trying to communicate with you.

The growl can mean several things, including:

The dog is warning of danger.
The dog is angry at someone who has hurt him.
The dog is afraid or upset.
The dog is trying to tell you something about the situation.

If your dog growls when you try to interact with him, do not approach him.

Instead, use a different method to calm him down and get him to stop growling.

How Can I Prevent My Dog From Growling At Me?

If your dog is growling, it’s probably because you’ve done something wrong.

You’re probably trying to get too close to him.

Or, you might be touching him in a way that makes him feel unsafe.

So, the first thing you should do is to stop doing whatever it is that made him growl at you.

Then, try to figure out what exactly triggered his growling.

Try To Calm Down Yourself

You need to understand that when you’re stressed, your dog will become stressed as well.

The best way to prevent this from happening is to calm down yourself before interacting with your dog.

Take deep breaths and count backwards from 10 (or one more than that).

Ask For Help

It’s important to remember that dogs don’t always tell you when they are upset.

Sometimes they’ll just act like everything is fine, even when it isn’t.

So, ask for help.

Ask someone who knows your dog well enough to help you figure out why he’s growling.

It could be that he doesn’t like the smell of a certain toy you just brought home, or maybe he’s not getting enough attention.

Whatever the reason, finding out why he’s growling can help you resolve the situation.

What Are Some Other Reasons Why Dogs Growl?

There are several reasons why dogs growl, including:
They feel threatened when they see you approaching them.
They feel threatened by another animal (e.g., a cat).
They are protecting their food from other animals.
They want to play with another animal.
They are bored.
They want attention.
They want to show off their teeth.
They are angry at themselves for doing something wrong.
They are trying to warn you about an intruder.
They are trying to tell you that they need to go out.

Conclusion

Don’t get angry, don’t yell at your dog, and try not to hurt him with your hands or feet.

If you do these things correctly, chances are good that your dog will stop growling.

If the situation can’t be resolved by petting your dog, then take it up with your vet or trainer.

They might know how to help.

You can also contact an animal behaviorist for advice.

Author
Recent Posts

Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.