This week, I want to highlight the benefits of growling, which is generally viewed as negative.
Many dog owners try to stop their pets from growling because people find it offensive or intimidating. A growl should viewed positively as a clear and direct warning. Dogs that have been corrected for the growl and not had the reason resolved are likely to drop this warning and take the next step in communicating their discomfort, stress or anxiety with a bite or attack without any warning at all.
The value of allowing dogs to growl was demonstrated in our home when very confident puppies decided to visit Dad while he was in his crate.
Crates are treated as personal dens in our home and are a safe retreat for our dogs when they choose to remove themselves from a situation. He had done this when he had had enough of playing with his boys.
Unfortunately, five-week-old puppies aren't necessarily familiar with this house rule and when he growled in a low pitch, he clearly indicated he was under stress and needed guidance from me as to how to deal with the situation (which, by the way, involved me removing the puppies and securing his door).