Growling may seem impolite, but according to Houpt, it’s a useful warning sign. Your dog’s growling can alert you to a trigger you might not have noticed, and lets you and others around you know that they’re feeling on edge. Do not try to keep your dog from growling; they may bite in response. Instead, work on dog behavior modification and counter conditioning to help them stay calm, which will cut down on growling as well as other unwelcome behavior like barking and lunging.