Dog growling - but not aggressively

Abi90

Abi90

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Before I take my dog to the vet with the only symptom as growling, just looking for a bit of advice. My dog has suddenly started growling, well more grumbling, when he’s at work with me. It’s not aggressive, there’s no snarling. Half the time he’s on his back wagging his tail whilst doing it. He doesn’t do it at home, only in the office.

He’s not obviously unwell or in pain either. He’ been coming to work for over a year and nothing has changed in the office so can’t think why he would be stressed.

I’m absolutely stumped! Can dogs just growl for no real reason?
 
It would help if there was more context.
A growl is usually a pre-cursor to something else, it is usually a warning that they are not happy with a situation or are conflicted.
What kind of dog is he as some are more vocal than others.
Tail wagging doesn't always mean a dog is happy either, a stiff/upright quickly-flagging tail or a low swooshing tail can also be warning signs of something else.
 
Hi , I had a dog that used to growl at me for attention, he would also sometimes chase his tail or roll around to attract my attention but along the way I must have rewarded him more for growling. Looking at a dog is enough of a reward. He seemed to do it the most if I was busy in the kitchen , he would be quite happy for a bit and then start growling , as if to say , don’t forget I’m here. It was only really me he used to growl at , I think because I spent the most time with him . He was not aggressive at all , there was also nothing wrong with him medically ( husband is a vet ) . Only you really know your dog but If you are worried get him checked.
Hope that helps , sorry my reply is a bit rambling .
 
Working Springer Spaniel.

Normal wagging tail, not the type described above.

He’s loose in the office as he always is and he’s grumbling away of his own accord. Interacting with people as normal but being very vocal about it. He’s not doing it all at home, he’s not doing it with anyone specific.

I’m thinking of taking him to the vet as I’m wondered if it’s a pain thing as he was a bit lame after a walk the other day but I thought it had gone the next day.
 
CorvusCorax said:
It would help if there was more context.
A growl is usually a pre-cursor to something else, it is usually a warning that they are not happy with a situation or are conflicted.
What kind of dog is he as some are more vocal than others.
Tail wagging doesn't always mean a dog is happy either, a stiff/upright quickly-flagging tail or a low swooshing tail can also be warning signs of something else.
Click to expand...

All of this and also for me growling and 'chatting/grumbling' are very different things
 
My Dalmatian growls when he is happy and excited, he also 'smiles' baring his teeth, it can be very disconcerting for those who don't know him! However he has always done this from being a puppy, if your dog is mature and his behaviour has suddenly changed then I would suggest its worth investigating further.
 
Probably more grumbling than growling but it is out of character. He’s 19 months so still a teenager?

He’s wandering round now and is absolutely fine. The experienced dog people in the office do not think much of it
 
Sounds like he's just chatting. One of mine "urrrrrr"s when he's excited. Sounds a bit like a growl but isn't.

But if you're worried, and particularly if he was limpy the other day, that him to the vet. No harm in a check up to set the mind at rest. FWIW I don't worry about a limp unless it stays for a few days or comes back repeatedly. Spaniels can do some silly things, he may have just tweaked something.
 
This may sound very silly but doesn’t your office have air con or use air fresheners. Some dogs are very sensitive to these things.
 
We have an office Springer/Cocker Spaniel cross, he has a happy "give me scratches!" growl - often accompanied with standing next to someone/leaning on them or rolling on his back. It might be a daft Spaniel thing!
 
My elderly cavvie grumbles when he wants me to let him out in the garden - it is something he learned for himself one day when it worked and got the desired result. If yours has learned in a similar way, the way for him to unlearn it is for you (and everyone else) to ignore it. After an extinction burst when it gets worse for a short time it should die out
 
My adolescent terrier boy wags his tail enthusiastically and growlbles (it's more of a growl than a grumble but his facial expression is light and "chatty") ... when he's horny. He's also realised it gets him attention (since I wanted to distract him from his arousal) so now he does it with a fixed gaze on me which is very disconcerting. If I ignore him, he humps things. If I give him attention, he's won the attention game. So I end up telling him off, gently ("shhhh" rather than "no") or putting him in his crate for a bit. Now, he seems to settle of his own accord after a few minutes of the behaviour. He's in the middle of a testosterone peak.
 
twiggy2 said:
All of this and also for me growling and 'chatting/grumbling' are very different things
Click to expand...

Our Lakeland grumbles about stuff like having her paws dried, but she has always been very vocal from she was a pup.

I think if it wasn't normal for your dog I'd take it more seriously and consult the vet just to be on the safe side.

Hope its nothing serious x x

Fiona
 
One of my working Springers growls/grumbles. He's just chatty - silent when working but noisy in the kennels or house. He grumbles when he climbs up for cuddles and particularly likes to shove his face right in yours and warble away. Disconcerting if you don't know him. One of my others isn't keen on it and will intervene and get between growly and the person he's interacting with if he feels it's going too far
 
druid said:
One of my working Springers growls/grumbles. He's just chatty - silent when working but noisy in the kennels or house. He grumbles when he climbs up for cuddles and particularly likes to shove his face right in yours and warble away. Disconcerting if you don't know him. One of my others isn't keen on it and will intervene and get between growly and the person he's interacting with if he feels it's going too far
Click to expand...

You are describing my working springer exactly.

Many Spaniels are quite vocal/chatty, my staffy intervenes if she feels the need.
 
Thanks everyone. I think he’s probably okay, just being vocal but as this started after he hurt his leg I’m going to take him to the vet just in case it’s still bothering him a bit
 
Mine growls/moans/squeaks for attention. He also comes to me with a toy to play and growls to tell me I’m supposed to tug.

Is yours naturally quite vocal?
 
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