Help! My Dog Growls at Visitors! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Elsa is a gentle German Shepherd, but sometimes she growls at certain visitors, but not others. It’s not always new people either, some new people she is fine with, but others she growls. She scares people because of her size, but I know she is very gentle. I just wonder why she picks certain people and not others? Is there anything I can do to stop this, or is it good behavior to have because she might sense things that we don’t?“ – Karol
Quick Info about Elsa
Hi Karol,
Thank you for your thoughtful question. Elsa sounds like a sensitive and intelligent girl, and, understandably, her growling can be disturbing to some visitors, even if you know her gentle nature. What you’re describing is a common behavior among dogs, especially breeds like German Shepherds, who have strong protective instincts. Dogs rely heavily on body language, scent, and energy, and Elsa is likely responding to subtle cues in the people she meets. This can include nervousness, unfamiliar scents (like another dog, alcohol, or certain medications), or even posture and tone of voice. Her growling isn’t necessarily a sign that someone is “bad” but rather that she’s unsure or uncomfortable in that moment.
Growling is actually a valuable form of communication. It’s Elsa’s way of saying, “I’m not comfortable,” without escalating to more serious behavior. The goal isn’t to suppress the growl but to understand and guide her through those moments. One helpful approach is to create a predictable, calm routine when guests arrive. You might have Elsa on a leash nearby with some high-value treats and reward her for remaining calm and relaxed. If she growls, don’t punish her, as that can teach her to skip the warning next time. Instead, calmly redirect her attention and move her away to give her space. Here, the main challenge for you is to try to figure out what it is that triggers her; is it a hat? A perfume? The voice tone? It’s not easy, but a bit of detective work is always needed as we are trying to decipher or better understand our furry family members. Once identified or at least narrowed down to a few possibilities, you can work on counter-conditioning those triggers with the help of a positive reinforcement trainer or even some of your triggering visitors, as long as they can follow instructions and remain calm. The clue is always to reinforce Elsa’s calm behavior while teaching her that what she perceives as a treat is nothing to worry about.
If the behavior becomes more intense or unpredictable, a consultation with a professional in person can help you assess her environment and patterns in more detail. Many times, it is we who need some behavioral modifications to successfully manage our pets, and that’s totally fine; in the end, what is most important is that we are all trying our best to understand and protect each other’s well-being.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola