A growl is part of a dogs language. They growl when playing and they growl when threatened. So how do we know when our dog is angry?

Your dog is probably the most honest living member of the household! You know exactly what they think when they give you that look. Most owners become attuned to their dogs characteristics and traits and can usually identify the dogs attitude by its manner.

However, some dogs will change their behaviour for any number of reasons. Here are a few to consider.

Illness and injury If, for no reason, your dog suddenly snaps at you, the animal could be suffering from an undiagnosed illness or injury. If a dog is in pain, it will immediately use aggression to warn the person or other animal to get away. This is a natural reaction, but it should be investigated immediately.

Common conditions include arthritis (joint pain), a missing tooth, foreign objects wedged in the paw and eczema. Seeking veterinarian assistance immediately is recommended.

If the dogs condition is not remedied it will begin to think it is being punished for no reason at all which will only lead to more stress and increased aggression.

Fear Your animal could be experiencing fear for any number of reasons. If your dog came to you from an unknown origin, it may have developed responses to certain movements or actions from past abuse. For example, a dog that was kicked by a previous owner will probably have an aversion to feet and legs. When a dog is fearful or frightened it will reflect this by its posture. The tail will rest tightly between the legs and it will probably snarl. In such a situation it is important to remember that any form of punishment will only add to the animals problem. Identify what is causing the fear and ensure that all members of the household are aware of the problem. In such situations, the remedy is to work on improving the relationship and gaining the animals trust.

Dominant dogs A dominant dog will display aggression differently to a dog that is afraid. Where a fearful dog will complete its growl with a high-pitched bark, a dominant dog will simply growl long and deep. Its posture will say, watch out, the tail will be erect and the ears will sit forward.

Never approach or challenge a dog that is showing this form of aggression. In the first instance, it is best to ignore the animal rather than challenge it. But do not ignore the problem. There are also a number of books available that deal with aggression in dogs, including Whos the Boss Understanding and Living with Your Dog, by Australian dog trainer Val Bonney, telephone (07) 3300 2959. However, seek guidance from a qualified dog trainer in your area as soon as possible.

Irritation There are many reasons why a dog becomes irritated and the only way for it to express its irritation is to growl and bare its teeth. This is a common problem around children and people who are not familiar with dog behaviour. A person or child could inadvertently irritate the animal or even threaten it by certain actions. Supervising young children around dogs is essential. A young child can not expect to know the ins and outs of dog psychology yet they are very susceptible to injury should a dog decide to bite or attack.