You are correct to use caution in labeling the behavior as aggressive, considering that growling is ultimately a form of communication. What is the dog trying to say? We can gain some insights ...

When small dogs’ warning signs are ignored, they may feel the need to escalate to the point of growling, snarling, or snapping. These behaviors are sometimes dismissed––worse yet ...

While small dogs who bark and growl are often perceived as little bodyguards bravely defending their favorite person, what’s often going on here is that the dog is actually displaying fear-based ...

By growling, the dog therefore learns how to manage the environment ... Pain and Paresthesia', Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, vol. 54, no. 1, pp.