I get a lot of new clients because their dog has growled at someone, maybe even a family member, and they are worried that means the dog is aggressive. Dogs who growl are actually trying to avoid using their teeth - the growl is a last ditch effort to get the human, or the other dog, or whatever, to stop doing whatever they are doing and move away. Here is some background info about why a dog might be fearful- it doesn't have to be a history of abuse. If your dog is growling