How To Stop Aggresive Dalmatian Growling

Dalmatians may be lovable animals but these spotted dogs also have their aggressive side.  It is, after all, a survival instinct that remains even after domestication as well as being a form of communication between humans and dogs.

Stop It Now Or Else

Still, you must take appropriate intervention measures to stop your dog from growling especially when there are no threats present and when there are children in the house.  You want to safeguard your kids from the aggressive behavior that may follow growling like biting.

And then there is also the matter of establishing your dominance as leader of the pack.  No matter how much you love your Dalmatian, it will absolutely not do for him to become leader of the pack for many reasons.

On one hand, you will have a difficult time making your Dalmatian follow even the simplest of commands, which can spell disaster in many ways.  On the other hand, your Dalmatian may just give in to his aggressive tendencies whenever his spoiled brat ways are not satisfied.  Think along the lines of barking and jumping on people, both of which are problems on their own.

Stop It with These Ways

Fortunately, help is never far behind when it comes to a Dalmatian with excessive growling habits.  The trick is in determining the causes and motives behind the problem so that appropriate actions can be adopted.

The first step is to observe the times, circumstances and situations when your dog engages in growling.  You may take down notes when and where necessary so that you can narrate them to the veterinarian or the dog trainer or the dog behavioral therapist, whoever can best remedy the problem.

If you believe that something may be ailing your dog, then the veterinarian is the best option.  Your Dalmatian will be made to undergo tests and examinations to determine the state of his physical health.

Now, if your dog is given with a clean bill of health, your next logical step is to look at behavioral causes for the growling.  The following are the most common causes of growling together with the tips on how best to deal with them:

* Perceived threats – Your Dalmatian may feel threatened by a known or an unknown object or entity and, hence, will growl in response. For example, your sheer size will intimidate a puppy, of which the best action is to go down to his level while speaking in a clear, firm and soothing voice.

You should also check to see if, indeed, there is reason for your dog to make aggressive growling noises especially when these are accompanied by unusual barking.  It may be a human or an animal intruder that the Dalmatian is warning you about.  If none is present, then it is best to command “Quiet” in a firm, commanding voice.

* Challenge to authority – Dogs being pack animals, it is imperative that authority as a pack leader is established not by the dog but by the human owner. In this way, you can command your dog to stop growling and, hence, provide peace and safety to the household.

Making your Dalmatian stop his growling, which may be giving you bald spots to match the spots on his body, is easy enough with the abovementioned methods.  If nothing you do works, call in the professionals.