How to tell the difference between play growls?
Dayton Raynor
2025-07-02 03:06:59
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Dogs do growl while playing, but there are two ways to tell different growls apart. An aggressive growl will be accompanied by snarling and snapping, while a playful growl is just a sound, accompanied by relaxed body movements. Rough-housing is normal and healthy for dogs, whether they’re growling at each other, lunging, wrestling or even biting- it’s all part of how they play. The Snarl: When the dog lifts the lip to bare teeth, just before a growl or bite, this is called snarling. This is a definite sign of aggression, not play.
The Freeze: A sure sign of stress is when a dog’s body “freezes” or goes rigid with stiff legs. The Stare-off: If a dog is intently staring at another dog without breaking eye contact and following that dog around, this is an indication of stalking.
Sometimes though, the lines are blurred when it comes to distinguishing between what is friendly and what is fighting. How can you tell the difference between playing and aggression. First, you need to know the distinct signs of aggression. How does your pup act out when stressed? Are you noticing any of the following warnings?
Rick Gutkowski
2025-06-19 12:23:21
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I've heard that a play growl isn't supposed to sound like a loud snarl, so I'm wondering if she's genuinely upset. Other than her noises she doesn't seem defensive— her hackles aren't up, she's not biting, none of that. What should I look for in her behavior to tell if she's upset or just really into the game. Does the growl just depend on the breed. She's a pit mix. This wouldn't normally concern me, its just that this snarl is a new thing and unlike her normal play growl.
Toney Osinski
2025-06-16 16:32:44
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Dogs will often lift their lip in a snarl before they growl or snap. Growling – Sometimes dogs will growl during play, but these growls are accompanied with loose, relaxed body language. When growling is followed by any of the above behaviors, or is a deep and low, it may be a sign of aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed. Aggressive play can appear in a variety of different ways. It’s also important to remember redirected aggression can occur. To prevent playing turning into fighting, it’s important to watch carefully for stress signals and warning signals. Some of the most common warning signals are: Stiffness – when a dog becomes tense and stressed, they usually appear rigid and stand in a stiff-legged stance. Their face is another indicator, so look for muscles tightening or furrowed brows. Freezing – when a dog becomes tense or rigid, they may enter a state of nervousness and freeze up. Direct stare – another indicator of a stressed pup is when they intently focus on another dog without blinking or engage in excessive and aggressive stalking.
Antwan Parisian
2025-06-05 05:41:34
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If they have a big, silly, open-mouthed grin, that’s already a good start. Often, their movements will be exaggerated: bouncy movements, and even exaggerated growling. Although play-growling is exaggerated and friendly, it can be loud and can sound scary. Dogs who are play-growling are over-exaggerating their snarls, which may make this noise sound scarier than if they were actually fighting. Their growls will be different too, when they are not playing, they will have low warning growls, closed mouths, and curled lips. Dogs who are playing will keep circling back for more. Even dogs that end up “losing” the play-fight and end up on their backs probably won’t want to stop playing. Dogs will take turns with most play-fighting behaviors.
Bernhard Kozey
2025-06-05 05:00:06
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Play growling – continuous growling and snarling – often quite loud. Play growls are usually open-mouthed and much louder than aggressive growling. A low warning growl – with a closed mouth and a curled lip.
Behaviours Which Tell You It Is Play
Play growls are usually open-mouthed and much louder than aggressive growling!
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