Why do dogs growl and show their teeth?

Answer 1

Typically if a dog is showing it's teeth it is telling you to back off or to stop what you are doing. It's warning sign. It does not always mean they are about to bite but they could be getting close to that point.

Emmy the awesome.......

Well it just matters on the situation, if you are trying to smack them from them getting something it means that they are protecting themselves, and if you try to pick them up when not the best time they'll do it becuase they were comfortable and wanna be left alone, so ya just depends on the situation like I siad.

Answer 2

they're protecting themselves. sometimes they feel intimidated around new people, since they don't know what kind of person they are.

Tigers8me......

Well they do it to eather be left alone or they dont wanna give up something you want back. A way to stop that is say NO deep and strong and ponit to them and act like your mean and your the boss, if that doesnt work you need to get the collors that have spikes on them (they are not actual spikesm, promise) and say no deep and loud and tug the collar, i know you probably dont like that but it will stop them from doing it over time. Hoped I helped

Answer 3

Dogs that are mentally unstable or have been horribly abused will bite simply because a person is close enough to be bitten. These dogs are said to have "no bite inhibition," which means that they will bite without any provocation.

That being said, these dogs are rare. Most dogs do have at least some bite inhibition, but will bite in certain circumstances. If you are bitten by a dog and believe it had no reason to bite you, chances are there was a reason, even it you weren't aware of it.

Dogs bite for many reasons. When mother and father dogs discipline a puppy, they often bite it in an attempt to change its behavior and show it that it is doing something that is not allowed. Many breeds of dogs were developed to bite or nip, such as the herding breeds. Dogs used for guarding and fighting, such as Chinese Chow Chows and bull terriers, were also bred to bite. So were almost all breeds of terriers, that were developed to kill rats and mice or to chase foxes from their dens.

If you are playing with a Jack Russell Terrier, for example, and it bites you, it is just being true to its breed. Its natural tendency is to bite when excited. It does not bite for "no reason."

Some dogs are naturally aggressive toward people and other dogs; this may be a result of their breeding, or it could just be the individual nature of the dog. Growling, holding the ears erect, leaning forward and staring boldly are all signs of aggression, and a dog displaying these actions should be avoided.

Some dogs who have been beaten, choked, kicked or otherwise mistreated are extremely fearful of human contact, since such contact has resulted in pain for them in the past. Therefore, they are likely to bite anyone who approaches them, in order to protect themselves. They cannot tell if you are a kind person or not, and they are taking no chances.

Also, you may not be able to tell if a dog is in pain or has a hidden injury. Perhaps it has a condition called hip dysplasia, and its hips are sore; if a person touches the dog's hips, that person is likely to be bitten, as the dog is trying to protect itself. In addition, almost any dog may bite if a person tries to hug it or lean over its shoulders; this is a sign of domination and aggression in the dog world, and again, the dog will try to protect itself from a perceived attack.

These are just some of the reasons why dogs bite, even though it may seem to the casual observer that the dog is biting "for no reason." Always get the permission of a dog's owner before trying to pet the animal. It's always a good idea to learn the "body English" of dogs to try to determine if they are willing to be petted.

It's recommended that people who wish to handle dogs or who are often around dogs read one of the many books available that discuss the sometimes very subtle reasons why dogs bite.

Answer 4

because you dont feed her enough.