Growling while play

[blondflava]

I'm getting a little concerned but hubby says it's just playing and it's cute. Whenever he plays with Pepper, the dog growls at him when he tries to take the toy away, he never tried snapping or biting - that would be it - but he growls, he comes back with the toy and wants to play but growling? He does it mainly to my husband, too. He tried with me and I told him NO and put him on his back. He stayed on his back even though I wasn't holding him. Is it something that's only play related? Or I should be concerned. I never heard him growl in any other occasion.

[FirstYorkie]

Many - if not most - dogs growl while they are playing tug-of-war. Is that what is happening? *IF* that's the only time he growls and he doesn't try to guard other objects (like his food or a bone), then I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. It sounds like play to me, too.

Just watch for a little bit, but otherwise, don't worry.

[Gingergirlsmom]

I agree with above poster. If he's only growling during play and NOT guarding, etc., that's just yorkie play. Ginger has always growled during tug, and both she and Bernie growl at times during play. But they are in constant play motion the whole time.


Watch the body language...

[Yorkieluv]

Miko also growls during tug games. Other than when he's playing those games, I have never heard him growl. He is actually, the sweetest dog I know. He'd rather lick you any day of the week!

[suzysmitt]

If he only growls when he plays I wouldn't worry.

[Siara28]

My lil guy always growls while playing. He chases our kids while growling, but I tell the kids to occasionally pick him up while he is chasing them (and growling) to make sure he isn't being aggressive, and he ALWAYS licks them all over, not aggressive, just growling. I think it's total play in your pup!!!

[Gracie2006]

Gracie growls while playing. Dogs really don't have too many sounds they can make, so I don't worry about it as long as she is not growling out of aggression.

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by Siara28

My lil guy always growls while playing. He chases our kids while growling, but I tell the kids to occasionally pick him up while he is chasing them (and growling) to make sure he isn't being aggressive, and he ALWAYS licks them all over, not aggressive, just growling. I think it's total play in your pup!!!

Miko does the same thing with me and my husband. I know it's all in good fun because he licks us all over too! LOL

[alriver]

Bogey growls when playing with rope toys. He also growls all by himself when he's going full circle with a rope toy he loves. He's so funny. He loves to play with me & growl on the bed. He plays with me on the bed but when I say kiss he comes up to me & licks. He knows when to play & when to "be nice".

[YORKIEMOM2B2006]

all 3 of my babies growl when there playing....i was scared at first but everyone said " there playing, you worry too much "

[Taigan]

Chewy used to do growl when we played tug of war with him... but the vet told us not to because it encouraged aggression.

[bradyem]

Rockie also only growls when playing but never tries to snap or become otherwise aggressive

[mapetty]

Summerlin growls when she is playing with her toy mouse... also when she is playing with our other dog, Woody. She is just playing, if you touch her, she will just lick you to death.

[blondflava]

Thanks guys, oh well, I just maybe thought too much about that... He's nevr showed aggression to anyone, just tug-o-war, and he growls at his small toys, running and throwing them around. I guess there's nothing to worry about

[mistyinca]

Yep...that's normal play and is not any kind of aggressive move to be concerned about. Chloe does it all the time. I tease her about it and call it her toy, wind-up, battery-operated growl, because it is such a little sounding growl. I growl right back at her! It is a game.