It’s wonderful when we have a special bond with our dogs. Many of us get a dog for that very reason – to have a devoted companion. However, some dogs can get a little too attached to their humans and the result can lead to trouble. Dogs that growl when someone tries to approach you, can end up biting. It’s something that needs to be addressed immediately.
Why Dogs Growl When People Approach Their Owner
Dogs that growl (they may also bark, lunge, etc.) when someone tries to approach you are doing so because they see you as “theirs” and they don’t want to share. It’s a type of resource guarding, and often these dogs will also guard other things such as toys or food. This is not the same as a dog growling because a stranger is approaching you in a dark alley with a knife out. Dogs that exhibit this type of guarding will guard their owners from everyone at any time of day in any situation. They may bark and jump on you whenever your significant other tries to hug you, or growl while sitting on your lap when someone approaches the couch you occupy. Bottomline, it is an inappropriate behavior.
What To Do To Stop Your Dog From Growling When People Approach You
First – Stop Reinforcing The Behavior. When it comes to this type of guarding, people often do the exact opposite of what they should, which just reinforces your dog. When your dog growls at a person for coming toward you, do not: pick him up, pet him, try to “comfort” him, have the person leave, or anything similar. All of these show your dog that yes, growling at people gets my human to pay attention to me and for that other person to leave. It’s exactly what your dog wants and it will encourage him to continue.
Second – Get Help. Working with a professional certified dog trainer will make this training go a lot quicker. In addition, the trainer can make sure you are doing it safely, so no one gets bit in the process. Make sure they use positive methods, correction will only make his behavior worse. You can find certified trainers on the CCPDT’s website.
Third – Manage Situations. Training won’t work overnight. In the meantime, you need to manage situations so that your dog is not practicing this bad behavior. You can do this by not having your dog in the room when you have company over – instead, give them a stuffed Kong in another room. If your dog needs to be with you, have her drag a leash. If she shows any type of guarding behavior, quickly and quietly pick up the leash and remove your dog from the situation. This shows your dog that when they act that way, she does not get to be in your presence anymore. This is the worst thing in the world in the mind of a dog that guards – you are her most precious possession and she can’t be there to make sure no one else is “getting” you. When she has calmed down, you can bring her back out and try again. (Don’t forget to reward her if she allows someone else to interact with you!)
