Q: My dog growls when I touch her back legs. I’ve been told that I must not let her get away with growling at me, but the thought of punishing her for it makes me uncomfortable. What should I do?

A: Actually, growling is one of the most valuable behaviours your dog has. It’s her way of saying, ‘I’m uncomfortable’ before escalating her behaviour to something more serious. If we punish the growl, we don’t fix the issue; we just silence the early warning system. That’s how we end up with dogs who ‘bite without warning’, not because they skipped a step, but because we taught them not to use it.

Instead, listen to the growl. It’s an invitation to investigate. Is there pain in the back legs? A past trauma? A lack of trust or habituation to touch in that area? Get a vet check to rule out physical discomfort, and then work with a force-free trainer or behaviourist to gently desensitise the area. Respect builds trust, and trust reduces fear. Your gut instinct is absolutely right – listen, don’t punish!