Heard my dog growl for the first time

[GarnetsandRubies]

2 year old border collie. Such a loving, gentle soul, a really good natured dog. Last night we were out walking on a quiet country road, somewhere we walk very regularly, he knows the route well. A white car was parked at the side of the road and as we got close, my dog went all stiff and started growling. His eyes were fixed on the car. This is the first time I've heard him growl in his whole life! And then he started barking between growls. As we moved past the car he wouldn't take his eyes off it, and he continued to do a low growl. As soon as we were a few metres past it he went back to normal. We see cars all the time both parked and moving and he's never had an issue! He's never been a barker either so this has worried me slightly, as to why he would do this out of the blue.

Any ideas?

@Shamsa03

He doesn't normally do it so I'd say he was protecting you just because you didn't see anything doesn't mean your dog didn't.

I’d say this too. My dog is also laidback to the point of being horizontal but just a couple of times she’s barked and reacted aggressively to men who’ve appeared suddenly near us at dusk/dark. I’m pretty reassured that actually, she would protect me if she felt it was warranted. On both occasions the blokes have crossed the road or walked off quickly.

I expect there was someone around and you didn’t see them, or there was something else ‘off’ your dog sensed. I don’t think it’s a bad sign.

@Mollymalone123

My dog has point blank refused a few times to go into the woods where we always go- I always listen to him!

Mine did this once, it was bizarre. He just stopped on the path, stood staring and sniffing for a few moments, then turned and marched back the way we came. I wasn't going to argue with him.

My dog play growls when I lay with him. He also growls when he hears something that I usually don't hear whatever it is.

Only once or twice he has growled when he sees a person, usually if they are wearing a hoodie or hat.

My cat does this with some men. I wish I could say she was trying to warn me but she literally fucks off and I’m sure I hear her say “take her not me”

Our collie loves EVERYONE. Literally everyone.

@LoveFall

My dog play growls when I lay with him. He also growls when he hears something that I usually don't hear whatever it is.

Only once or twice he has growled when he sees a person, usually if they are wearing a hoodie or hat.

Play with him for heaven's sake.

We have 2 collies. One is very relaxed, the other is typically more reactive. There are plenty of inanimate objects he'd growl/bark at. I think it's not unusual at all in a collie. If it started to happen more frequently, then it might warrant some gentle distraction techniques while passing the offending object eg treats, but if this is a rare event, I wouldn't worry. There is a 'scary bench' in our local wood - got barked at for a long time but is now ignored!

Our collie loves EVERYONE. Literally everyone.

So does mine!!

Look how sweet and innocent he is. Still can't believe how menacing he sounded when he was growling

He’s beautiful! And the tongue thing - ours does that too!

Best dogs ever.

@CollieDug yours is beautiful too! Oh yes his tongue is always sticking out, especially when he is relaxed 🤣