Why Does My Dog Growl? What Growling Really Means and How to Respond (DWAA Two-Time Finalist Episode)

If your Doodle has ever growled and left you feeling worried, confused, or embarrassed, this episode will change how you hear that sound forever.

Growling is not bad behavior. It is communication. And when we listen instead of punish, we keep dogs and people safer.

This episode is being re-aired in celebration of its recognition as a two-time finalist in the 2025 Dog Writers Association of America Writing Competition, earning honors in both:

• Spoken Word: Behavior, Training or Sports
• Captain William Lewis Judy Award

In this conversation, I’m joined by parenting and training expert Michelle Stern, founder of Pooch Parenting, to unpack what growling actually means and how Doodle parents can respond in ways that reduce stress rather than escalate it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why dogs growl and what they are trying to communicate
• Whether growling always signals aggression
• When correcting a growl makes behavior worse
• How to respond if your dog growls at adults, kids, or guests
• What growling during play really means
• How emotional safety reduces the need for growling in the first place

Prevent growling by reducing daily stress

Many growling moments are not about “bad behavior” at all. They are about dogs being overtired, overstimulated, or pushed past their coping threshold.

My book, Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint, helps Doodle parents build predictable daily rhythms with built-in downtime so dogs are less reactive, less testy, and better able to cope with everyday life.

You can grab your copy here:
 👉 thedoodlepro.com/book

Free resource from Michelle Stern

Michelle is generously sharing her guide The ABCs of Growling, which helps you decode growling clearly and calmly so you know what your dog needs in the moment.

Download it here:
 👉 poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling

Connect with Michelle

• Website: poochparenting.net
• Instagram: @poochparenting
• Facebook: Pooch Parenting

Want help with socialization and body language?

Keeping track of all the sights, sounds, textures, places, and people your Doodle needs positive exposure to can feel overwhelming.

You can download my Doodle Puppy Socialization Checklist here:
👉 https://thedoodlepro.com/socialization

Test your Doodle body language knowledge with my Body Language Quiz:
👉 https://thedoodlepro.com/body

If this episode helped you hear your dog differently, subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other Doodle parents find science-based, compassionate guidance when they need it most.

Corinne Gearhart is the founder of The Doodle Pro®, a science-based training platform helping Doodle parents raise calmer, well-mannered dogs using positive reinforcement. She is the host of The Doodle Pro® Podcast and author of Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™.

📘 Get the Doodle Schedule Blueprint:
https://thedoodlepro.com/doodle-schedule-bonus/

🎧 More episodes:
https://thedoodlepro.com/podcast