While dogs are unable to speak the same language as humans, they do have a few ways of communicating with their owners and with strangers. Growling is just one way that Rottweilers, as well as other breeds of dogs, tend to communicate with people – and sometimes even with each other.
Sometimes a growl can be playful. In such a case, there’s not much concern regarding this particular behavior. Unfortunately, there are also times when the growling of a Rottweiler may have more aggressive attention behind it – and this puts you, your children, or anyone who comes into contact with the dog in possible danger.
The good news here is that studies have found dog owners are generally able to distinguish between a playful and aggressive growl effectively. People who interact with their dogs more frequently were able to detect these different types of growls more efficiently than those without dogs, however. When an aggressive growl is detected, you can make sure you disengage from the dog before something happens.
In cases of a Rottweiler growling when hugged or shown affection in another way, you might want to know what you can do about the problem. In this article, we take a look at why your Rottweiler might growl when they are hugged and possible solutions that you may consider.
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Growling And Grumbles In Rottweilers
What many people fail to realize when they decide to buy a Rottweiler is the fact that these are vocal animals. The Rottweiler is known for making sounds – ranging from a subtle grumble to a more aggressive growling.
While this breed of dog can be gentle and loving, there have also been cases of Rottweilers being vicious and aggressive – sometimes even biting their owners and other people.
The fact that there are so many different ways that a Rottweiler may grumble and growl makes it hard to know if he or she means any harm – especially when your dog makes these sounds when they are hugged.
Many people tend to fear a growl from a Rottweiler – whether that is a puppy or an adult dog. When you go in for a hug, and they growl at you, the first reaction that you may have is to move away from the dog. You think that they mean harm – and you may also consider yourself in danger if you do not move away immediately.
The problem here is that Rottweilers tend to grumble a lot – even when they are shown affection. The grumbling sound can sometimes be interpreted as a growl by some dog owners, especially those who have not interacted much with a Rottweiler in the past.
While a grumble may be harmless, you should ensure you can distinguish between this particular sound and a growl. There are cases where a growl can mean trouble – this is especially important to notice when your Rottweiler is clenching or showing their teeth.
Why Do Rottweilers Growl When They’re Hugged?
When you are able to confirm the noises coming from your Rottweiler are growls and not just the usual grumbling that this breed of dogs is known to do, then you may have a more serious problem on your hands.
In this case, you need to understand what you can do in order to rectify the problem before it escalates. To understand what actions should be taken, however, you will first need to consider the possible reasons behind this aggressive behavior – and even though it may only be a growl now, it may become worse and even turn into biting without any actions from your side.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine the exact reason for the growling in your Rottweiler – but there are some possible causes that you should take into consideration. If you notice any of the problems that we are going to discuss below, then it should be easier for you to determine the most appropriate solution for a Rottweiler growling when hugged.
The Dog Simply Does Not Like To Be Hugged
Let’s start with the harsh truth – some dogs, including a lot of Rottweilers, simply do not like the idea of being hugged constantly. This may be a disappointment to some owners, but it is something that needs to be taken into account.
Ultimately, it is important to respect such factors about a dog – and if this is the case, find alternative ways of showing affection that the dog would appreciate more. If you do prefer to take action, there are some ways that a dog can be trained to appreciate a hug more – particularly by associating positive things with this action. We’ll cover this later on in the post.
(Have you ever wondered how hard your rottweiler is to train?)
One of the first things to consider here is the fact that a hug is often described as human nature. We, as humans, tend to get used to the idea of hugging other people.
Then, once you adopt a Rottweiler, you may want to turn to them for a hug as well. You automatically consider the dog to be receptive to the hug since you can easily approach a friend or family member for a hug.
One report explains a hug as being a primal instinct – and not something that comes as naturally to a dog.
With this in mind, it essentially means that many dogs are simply not used to being hugged. Your Rottweiler may also simply take a disliking to this particular action.
Stress As A Reason For The Growling
Sometimes there is a bigger problem behind growling in a Rottweiler when they are hugged. Stress is something that you will need to take into consideration.
Dogs who feel stressed are more likely to become aggressive. They may growl at you when you try to show them affection. They may also be resistant to human interaction – especially when it comes to hugs, petting, and similar actions.
If you suspect that stress might be the reason for your Rottweiler growling when hugged, then you need to recognize the signs and consider what may be causing your dog to feel stressed.
Many of the signs related to stress in dogs might go unnoticed – sometimes, you may notice them, but consider them a problem associated with something else.
Digestive problems are exceptionally common in dogs who are under a lot of stress. This generally includes either constipation or diarrhea.
Thus, if your dog frequently has diarrhea or you find that they are constantly constipated, then you should take note – this may be an indication that they are feeling stressed.
In many cases, stressed dogs do not eat right. There is usually a significant decrease in a stressed dog’s appetite. When your dog suddenly stops to finish their daily bowl of food, and you find they do not take treats as eagerly as usual, then they might be too stressed.
Also, look out for a change in your dog’s sleeping routine. You should know approximately how much your dog sleeps each day. If your dog suddenly sleeps much more than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying problem – and one of these problems can be stress.
Isolation is another factor to take into consideration. This is often a sign that a dog is suffering from anxiety, which can be triggered by too much stress.
(If you notice that your dog is stressed, you should try using an Adaptil Diffuser to help calm them down.)
Injury Or Illness
Another potential cause of a Rottweiler growling when hugged, can sometimes be linked to injury or illness. Consider the fact that your Rottweiler cannot speak – if they are in pain, it is up to you to see the signs of their struggle. They are not able to tell you that they are experiencing discomfort, pain, and other problems with their health.
If receiving a hug from you is causing your Rottweiler to experience pain, then it can become a problem for them. Every time you reach in to give them a hug, they will experience these symptoms.
This can cause them to growl at you – a way of them communicating with you. In this case, the growl would be a “back off” signal – the dog is trying to tell you not to hug them, as they may feel pain when pressure is applied to certain areas of their body.
In some cases, the dog may only have a minor injury – this can still be uncomfortable for them and lead to pain and other symptoms.
There are also scenarios where the injury or an illness could be more serious. In these cases, you will need to take note of what is going on and take action – early diagnosis of serious injuries or diseases in your Rottweiler will most likely lead to better treatment options.
How To Stop A Rottweiler Growling When Hugged?
A large number of factors that can cause a Rottweiler to growl when they are hugged makes it difficult to determine how to deal with this type of situation.
A good idea would be to start by analyzing your dog’s behavior. Look for signs that something is wrong. This is especially important if the growling and possible accompanying aggressive behavior have only recently developed.
When you notice additional problems with your dog, then it might be a good idea to take them to the vet before you decide to try other ways of stopping the growling when you want to hug your Rottweiler.
Some signs that your dog may have an injury or is suffering from an illness may include:
Your dog may sleep most of the day
You may notice lethargy in your dog
Your dog may be aggressive when someone tries to touch them
Your dog may isolate them from people and other pets completely
There may be a change in how your dog walks
Also, be sure to check your dog’s coat and skin. Be gentle and patient with your Rottweiler – run your hands over their entire body. If you feel any abnormality, be sure to inspect it. Sometimes problems like a bone fracture or a broken bone can be felt with the hands.
If these problems are identified, you should prioritize a vet visit. The vet will be able to perform a full checkup on your dog and advise if they did suffer an injury. Certain tests can be performed by the vet to help you understand if your dog is suffering from a certain illness too.
If an injury or illness is identified, then your vet will provide recommendations for treatment. Once these problems have been corrected, you will be able to move forward in the process of getting your dog more accustomed to a hug.
Training Your Dog To Think Of A Hug As A Positive Action
Ideally, if you are a person who would like to hug your dog or show affection to your pet, then you will need to train them from a young age.
In fact, the sooner you start to train your puppy, the better they will learn, and the more you will be able to accomplish. Additionally, it is also significantly easier to train a dog from the time they are a puppy, compared to implementing training protocols only when they are already an adult.
The process of training your dog to see a hug as something positive should be accompanied with treats – and a lot of them. Treats should not be the only positive reinforcement you use, however. You should also give your dog praise and pet them.
At the same time, do take note of the fact that you should be patient. Remember that you are working with a dog that showed signs of aggression – so be careful while you train them and do not push things at a rate that is faster than what your dog is capable of adopting.
While training your Rottweiler, you need to wait out any growling or rumbling noises. When they growl at you, wait it out. The moment your dog stops growling, give your “good boy” command, and treat them.
Start by getting your Rottweiler more acquainted with being touched behind its neck. Slowly and softly touch the back of your dog’s neck. If they allow you to do this, treat them. Spend an entire session with just this one action.
With each session, move closer to a complete hug. There are several actions that are part of a hug – take things step-by-step. Treat your dog every time they allow you to take action without growling.
What’s A Good Training Program?
If you haven’t trained your rottweiler properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your Rottie shows, whether it’s growling, biting, or barking using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to have a dog you can love and hold, not one that growls every time you’re near them. Instead, you’ll always have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
What To Avoid Doing?
Frustration is something that most people will face when they are trying to train a Rottweiler. Even though these dogs are smart, they can also be stubborn at the same time. This is why we have made such an emphasis on the point where you need to be patient.
Don’t Become Violent
Becoming frustrated should never lead to violence. Remember here that violence comes in different forms. Never become physically violent with your dog – hitting a Rottweiler will not play out as you want it to. These dogs are protectors. If you hit them, they will have the need to protect themselves – and this can quickly take a dog that growls at you to a dog that bites.
You also do not want to be verbally violent with your dog. When you shout at them, you may cause them to feel stressed out instead. They will be confused and may also develop anxious feelings. In turn, this shouting can also make the dog feel more violent – which can also turn a less serious problem like growling into chaos, possibly causing your dog to lunge in for a bite.
Instead of shouting at your dog or perhaps hitting them, rather consider a high-pitched sound that is sharp, but not too aggressive.
Don’t Reward Negative Behavior
Another thing to consider when training an aggressive Rottweiler growling when hugged is not to reward bad behavior. If you are doing something they do not enjoy – take clipping their nails, for example – and you give in to the growling, it will tell them that growling is a way of getting what they want. Rather back off momentarily, wait out the growling, treat them when they stop growling and return to the activity.
Conclusion
Even though Rottweilers are not the type of dog to be exceptionally cuddly with, these protectors still love being shown affection by their owners. There are, however, some cases where a Rottweiler is not too keen on affection.
If you find a Rottweiler growling when hugged, it can mean several things. While some cases account for a playful growl, there is often a concern about aggression. Consider the tips we mentioned in this article to help you take action.
And if you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise have a great day!
