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Just like people, dogs have different personalities. And different situations can cause a dog to become happy and excited, anxious, or even grumpy! But why does a male dog growl at his puppies?
Has your dog growled at his puppies? Are you worried about this behavior? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand that this kind of behavior can be concerning.
We’ve put together some information about why a male dog may growl at his puppies. Let’s get started!
Why Does a Male Dog Growl at His Puppies?
There are many reasons that may cause a male dog to growl at his puppies. However, it’s important to understand that your male dog may not be acting in an aggressive way.
For one thing, a male dog may be trying to discipline his puppies if he feels they’re acting out of line. Just like humans must discipline their kids, dogs have to do the same with their puppies. Puppies have to learn how to behave! And they are sometimes naughty and irritate their parents. So, your male dog may be teaching his puppies how to behave.
Another reason that a male dog may growl at his puppies is that he’s tired and wants to be left alone! Puppies are sometimes very demanding of attention and may bite, bark, and more to get a reaction from their parents. If a male dog is tired, he may growl at his puppies. He’s telling them he wants to be left alone.
Finally, another reason a male dog may growl at his own puppies is that he’s jealous. When a mother dog has puppies, she and the puppies may receive most of the attention. That’s natural; however, the male may feel left out with all this commotion caused by the puppies. So, he may become jealous and growl at his puppies because he doesn’t want them near.
How to Help Your Dog
Experts recommend not allowing the male dog to interact with his puppies until they’re completely weaned. By that time, the puppies are larger and can run away from trouble. They also start learning from their parents. So, if your dog growls at them, they will learn to leave him alone.
So, try to keep your male dog away from the puppies and the mother dog until the puppies are weaned. And be sure to pay more attention to him, too. Your male dog will enjoy more attention, exercise, playtime, and more. Then he may not feel so jealous of the puppies!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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