Dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and playful demeanor, but they can also be unpredictable.
One moment they might be cuddling next to you on the couch and the next they could be growling if you try to pick them up. So why does a dog growl when picked up?
And In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why dogs may growl when picked up, along with some tips on how to make sure that your dog doesn’t feel uncomfortable when being handled.
So let’s get started
Why Does A Dog Growl When Picked Up
For dog owners, understanding why their dog growls when picked up can be confusing and frustrating.
While there can be many reasons a dog might act this way, aggression is not usually the cause.
Showing Their Displeasure And Discomfort
The most common reason that dogs growl when picked up is to indicate their displeasure and discomfort with the situation.
If your dog feels as though he is being dominated, it will attempt to communicate with you. If you do not make an effort to understand your dog’s message, it will escalate in intensity until it is no longer enough to stop what you are doing.
Fear
Another reason dogs growl when picked up is fear of being hurt
Your dog may be afraid that if he does not do everything that you want, then you will become angry and hurt him.
This is especially common in dogs that have previously been abused or who are new to your household.
There are of course many other reasons why dogs growl when picked up but the above are some of the most common ones.
However, it is important to understand that these are not the only reasons that a dog will growl at you.
It is very difficult for humans to read canine social signals and it is even more difficult for us to understand why our dogs act the way they do.
If your dog is showing signs of anxiety or aggression then it’s important to train them on how to be handled properly.
As soon as you hear that growl, you should immediately stop the action and give your dog some positive reinforcement when they stop.
Remember, it’s important to never physically punish or yell at your dog for growling when you try to pick them up.
This will only increase their anxiety and lead to further growling or biting.
If you punish your dog for acting this way then they might see you as an enemy and feel threatened, so always remain calm and avoid interacting with your dog for a little while after.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Growling Out Of Fear Or Aggression?
Before you can help your dog overcome its fear or anxiety surrounding being picked up, it’s important to understand the difference between growling out of aggression and out of fear.
The easiest way to do this is to first separate your dog from you and then try to pick it up.
If your dog becomes aggressive or if it begins growling, snarling, barking, lunging, or snapping at you when you attempt to lift them up, then it’s clear that they are acting in an aggressive manner.
If on the other hand, your dog is growling out of fear and stops when you separate them from you then it is best to make a bold move away from your dog in order to show that you are not an aggressive or threatening person.
Only try picking up your dog once it seems comfortable with this move and has stopped acting aggressively.
If you’re still unsure, separate your dog from you for a little while and then try again. If they are growling out of fear, they will stop when you move away.
If they are growling out of aggression then they will most likely continue to act the same way.
However, it’s important to note that dogs who are growling out of fear can easily escalate into dogs that are growling out of aggression.
This is why it is important for them to learn that there is nothing to be afraid of and this will make handling them much easier in the future.
Why Does My Dog Growl When I Pick Him Up While Sleeping?
Dogs that are fast asleep when you try to pick them up maybe dreaming about a past traumatic or negative experience.
If this is the case, then it is best to avoid trying to wake your dog while they’re sleeping if at all possible.
Another reason behind their growl can be their sleep disturbance.
Some dogs are naturally light sleepers and others are deep sleepers, so there is no black and white rule behind why they might growl when you wake them up.
However, if your dog is a light sleeper and you try to wake it up, then the chances are that it will be more likely to respond with a defensive growl.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Growling When I Pick Him Up?
- The first thing you should do if your dog is growling when you try to pick them up is to stop what you are doing and give your dog some positive reinforcement.
- When you pick up your dog, make sure to keep the dog close to your body and to support their entire weight.
- You should also try giving your dog a treat every time they stand still while being picked up.
- If your dog is small, put them in a bag or box with air holes and carry them around until they feel comfortable with you picking them up without growling.
- When the dog stops growling when picked up, slowly start to move away from your body but stop if he starts growling again.
- If your dog is constantly growling when being picked up, seek the help of a professional trainer who can teach you how to properly handle them without getting hurt.
- Make sure that everyone in the household knows not to try and lift or pick up the dog without first asking for permission.
- Practice handling your dog with strangers on a weekly basis so that they get used to new people before you take them on walks or let them play with other dogs.
- Make sure to spend at least 30 minutes each day just handling your dog, trying different things, and getting them used to be touched all over their body.
- When you are first picking up your dog, only do so for short periods of time and over soft surfaces like a couch or bed. Never pick up or restrain your dog by their front legs as this can injure them.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Growls When Picked Up?
It’s important to remember that if your dog has growled at you when picked up, it’s doing so because it feels as though you are not listening to it and that its concerns aren’t being heard.
As such, you should always be aware of this fact and respect its wish for space whenever possible.
The first thing you need to do with a dog that growls when picked up is to make sure that it understands it has nothing to be afraid of.
In order for this to happen, you need to avoid physical interactions with your dog for a little while after they have shown aggression.
This will ensure the message gets through and that your dog understands it doesn’t need to be scared.
Once your dog no longer feels fear when you try to pick it up, there are several ways that you can go about getting your dog to stop growling.
These are listed below:
1. Make sure that all of your interactions with your dog are positive and rewarding.
This means giving them plenty of treats and attention whenever they do something good so that they understand the right thing to do is to stop growling.
2. Ensure your dog knows you are not a threat by moving away from them when you see them growl at you.
Prepare yourself beforehand so that you can move away quickly if need be and try not to make your dog feel threatened in any way.
3. Don’t put your dog in a position where they feel as though it has to protect themselves.
Dogs who feel as though they have to protect themselves will often growl and this is because they want you to stop what you’re doing and back off.
If possible, avoid dangling them upside down or holding them close to people when you know that they are scared of these things.
If they feel as though their only option is to protect themselves, you can be sure that they will do this by growling at you.
4. Get your dog used to being picked up if it has a history of growling when lifted off the ground.
Use treats and other rewards at first so that your dog understands what is expected of them and try to make the process as pleasant and calm as possible.
If your dog is getting used to being lifted up and isn’t growinglng then it’s a good idea to teach them to enjoy the process further, which you can do by obeying their commands and letting them know how great they are.
5. Be patient and stay calm. If you are upset or stressed, your dog will take this as a sign that they need to protect you which can lead to growling out of fear.
If you do find yourself in the unfortunate position where your dog begins growling when handled, it is important to remain calm and not try to force them into submission.
This will only serve to make your dog feel as though it is protecting itself and definitely won’t help you to control the situation, which is what you need to focus on at this point.
Alternative Ways To Pick Up Your Dog Without Triggering Aggression
- Approach from the side and place your hand on its rump before lifting. Reward it with a treat. Next, place one hand under the dog’s chest and lift, saying “OK!” Then place your other hand under its rump.
- Place a treat in front of your dog, then gently pick up your dog while telling it to sit. Allow it to eat the treat before putting it down on all fours again. Praise it with “Good sit!”
- Another way is to Place a treat on the ground and let your dog sniff it. Toss the treat a little way ahead of where you want your dog to go, then say “OK!” As it runs after the treat, slip one hand under its chest and one under its rump, using them as a brace as you lift. Place it down on all fours again once it’s gotten the treat.
- If the dog is small enough, slip your hand under its tummy and lift it up. Make sure to support its back with your other arm.
- Place your dog over one shoulder. Let it calm down before putting it down on the ground again.
- Approach your dog from behind and place both hands under its belly to lift it up. Support the weight of its body with your upper body, rather than just your arms, which will make it less tiring for you. You might also be interested in learning why dogs growl when picked up
- If your dog is too heavy to lift while standing, try sitting on the ground while sliding your hands, palms upwards, under its abdomen. Don’t pick it up; just slide it along. Praise and give a treat when you get to its back legs.
- Lift your dog using a towel, placing one arm under its chin and one under its rump. Make sure your grip is firm, but don’t squeeze.
How Do You Respond When A Dog Growls?
When a dog growls at you, it’s important to keep your cool and not escalate the situation.
If you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation with a dog, you need to focus on controlling your own behaviour and not reacting in a way that might excite the animal.
- The first step is to avoid any fast movements so that your dog doesn’t feel as though it needs to protect itself from them.
- If your dog is growling at you then it’s important not to stare directly into its eyes. It might appear like this would unnerve the animal but actually having eye contact with an angry dog can be perceived as a threat so avoid doing so at all costs.
- Trying to punish or force your dog to submit will only make the situation worse and is not recommended. They only behave the way that they do because it is what you have taught them.
- This will not only put your dog in a position where it feels as though it has to protect itself, but may also make you appear threatening which can trigger an attack.
- If your dog growls at you and the situation doesn’t feel as though it’s getting any better, then it might be time to call a professional. A good trainer should be able to help you out and correct any bad behaviour whilst keeping everyone safe.
Should I Punish My Dog For Growling At Me?
No. It is important that you do not punish your dog for growling at you because this can cause them to start growling out of fear, which is the last thing that you want.
If this were to happen, you would find it incredibly difficult to be around your pet because they are always growling at you and trying to protect themselves.
This doesn’t mean that your dog should be allowed to get away with growling at you without consequence, though.
Your dog needs to understand that this behavior is unacceptable and it is your job to make sure that they do.
Just be patient or consult an animal behaviorist to get the best results.
Conclusion
So, I hope this blog post was helpful to you and now you know Why Does a Dog Growl When Picked Up.
I hope that the information has been helpful and will help you on your way!
If these methods don’t work then it would be best to consult a professional for help.
If you still have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments section.
I will get back to you as soon as possible!
Mark is an animal lover and a researcher. He has always been interested in understanding how animals think and behave. This passion led him to pursue a career in research, where he now studies the cognitive abilities of various species.
Mark’s work has taken him all over the world, and he has had the opportunity to study some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. He is constantly amazed by the intelligence and ingenuity of animals, and he firmly believes that they are capable of so much more than we give them credit for.
