Expert: Chicago Dog Trainer J. Hack - 10/27/2008

Question
Hello,

I volunteer at one of the animal shelter. These days I have been working with one of the dogs who has been here for over a year. She has dog aggression issue.I have wonderful relation with this dog. She respects & trusts me a lot.

Today after letting her exercise on treadmill, walk & play in dog run I decided to spend some time in her cage with her. Everything was going great, but after 10-15 she growled 4-5 times. I just said "what" and she stopped growling.I was just sitting at the time not even looking at her.

I am 99% sure that it was play growl because her body seemed relaxed & was wagging her tail in fast motion.

1. Is there a way to determine just by listening to a growl if the dog is  acting playful or its being aggressive?  (just like by listening to a bark you can interpret)

2. What are the body parts I need to see to read if the body language is playful or aggressive when she is growling?

Thanks,

Jatinder Kalsi

Answer
Wow, a year in the shelter, that is quite long.  It's great that she has someone like you to make her life better and take her out for exercise.  

I would have to see the dog in person to explain why the dog was growling.

The cause of growling can be a lot of things.  I am not sure what environment she was in, but she could have heard something strange or saw something that caused her to growl.

You can't always tell from the growl alone, since body posture and facial expression also matters.  In general an aggressive "warning" growl is low and deep, sometimes a rumbling growl.  This is a warning that the dog doesn't like whats going on and he may bite.  Or it could be he is growling defensively out of fear, or guarding territory- like if he heard someone knocking on a door.  Some of the body language that goes with an aggressive growl is a dog locking up, hunching its shoulders and head down, and the body stiffening.  If they are fearful, they may also bare teeth.

A play growl is usually higher pitched and shorter.  Some dogs also growl when they're frustrated or exited.  If you've ever seen two dogs playing, sometimes one will bow (an invitation for play) while growling, and it continues as they play with eachother or with toys.  

You mentioned you were not even looking at her when she growled, which leads me to think it may not have been aggressive.  She may have been growling because she was bored and wanted some action and amusement from you, which could be a pushy or demanding behavior, depending on the dog.