My 3 year boy growled at me last night!

2521 Views 24 Replies 17 Participants Last post by lanabana, Dec 12, 2011

blueberry

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2011

I have a rescue boy....I have had him about a year and a half. When I first got him he did snap and growl some....but we work with him and he stopped. He even tried to bite the vet the first time I took him in! Now a year and a half later he growled at me when I was trying to move his head because he was snoring. I understand I may have startled him but this is something I do ofter. He snores....he tucks his head down under his front feet and snores. I told him "no" and put him out of the room for a few minutes. I think over all he is a little grouchy....I am having his thyroid checked. What should I do next time. I can tell he was abused before I got him. Other than that he is a great boy but I don't want to be growled at.

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Deathmetal

· #2 · Dec 12, 2011

As they say , let sleeping dogs lie. The only thing I would recommend is to try not to sneak up on him. If you find you are a light walker, try tapping your foot on the floor next to him before waking him, so he knows you are there. Instead of reaching straight for his head, pet his flank until you see him wake up.

Do you find any other circumstances where he is grouchy?

blueberry

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 12, 2011

He sleep right next to me....I tried to pet his head first. I think he was just annoyed with me. I have not had a boy before....so I don't know if he is just becoming a man or if he is grouchy. He spends most of his time (mainly when it's cold) laying on the couch suckling his ladybug. That is why i'm getting him vet check especially the thyroid levels. He is VERY loving most of the time.

lolonurse

· #4 · Dec 12, 2011

Maybe, if he's got deep-seated fears and insecurities from a past life, don't touch him when he's unaware it's you - make a clicking or chirping sound to bring him out of his deep sleep, say his name, then pet him in a loving way - once he's awake and aware it's you, if he hasn't moved his head yet, you can do so in a sort of gentle, playful way, so he doesn't feel "manhandled". If he has trust and fear issues, you want to build his comfort level, and never give him reason to feel you're manipulating him. He probably wouldn't mind, once he's awake and aware it's you. And do lots and lots of gentle talking to him - if he's a grouch, he probably especially needs to hear soothing words from his "safe" person.

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KevinK

· #5 · Dec 12, 2011

I just let a dog snore, dobermans are well known for it. If you have to get his attention, I would do like mentioned above, try to get his attention before just grabbing him.

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Audrey1

· #6 · Dec 12, 2011

Over and over again, you see people saying their Dobes growled at them for: 1) waking or disturbing them from a deep sleep and 2) taking a bone away from them.

Let him sleep and snore. As for #2 which wasn't your issue, many have said to let your dog enjoy his bone if you give him one.

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Jersey Girls

· #7 · Dec 12, 2011

All my dogs ( Collie, Shepherd, Dobes...) ALL of them have growled at me for waking them up at one time or another. If you can remember, make a noise etc. If you forget, be kind, let them wake up, then still have them do what you need done (what ever you woke them for.)

Having your dog leave the bed for snoring probably won't teach him not to snore, since he doesn't know he's snoring. I mean, do you?

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DogsR4Life

· #8 · Dec 12, 2011

Hmm, I have never had this problem. Every night I allow my dog to sleep with me in bed as I read or do some work on the computer. When it's time for me to go to sleep, I wake him up to go put him in his crate.

Have you woken him up before with no problems? Have you woken him up differently then any other time? If you dont like the snoring, put him in another room to sleep.

I have no experience for this particular issue, the only thing I can say is maybe strengthen the bond between the both of you (more trust can eliminate a lot of problems) by doing more activities together. Take him for longer walks, add obedience, tracking, trick training.

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Sherryh

· #9 · Dec 12, 2011

blueberry said:
I have a rescue boy....I have had him about a year and a half. When I first got him he did snap and growl some....but we work with him and he stopped. He even tried to bite the vet the first time I took him in! Now a year and a half later he growled at me when I was trying to move his head because he was snoring. I understand I may have startled him but this is something I do ofter. He snores....he tucks his head down under his front feet and snores. I told him "no" and put him out of the room for a few minutes. I think over all he is a little grouchy....I am having his thyroid checked. What should I do next time. I can tell he was abused before I got him. Other than that he is a great boy but I don't want to be growled at.

He's young and learning. My female will be in bed and growl and I let her know awake or asleep to not growl at me. I don't put my face in her face..I give her space but growling in not accepted. Praise them when they are doing good...teach them when they mess up.He's young so teach and lots of love..........

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TheStig

· #10 · Dec 12, 2011

I touch and kiss and borderline fondle my sleeping guys and gals all the time. wow, the fondling part sounded bad didn't it.

They just look so cute sleeping and with the puppy, he is so wound up most of the time, the only time I can give him some kisses and lovin' is when he is sleeping or extremely tired.

I don't give any warnings, I just dive in, mostly quietly, but nonetheless I give no warning. At best I'd get a grumpy sounding growl type of sound, like what a child will do when it's time to get up for school but doesn't want to. I wouldn't consider it a growl, but the term to describe it eludes me at the moment. Basically it is a 'I want to sleep so leave me alone grumble' if you will.

My boys and girl know they are safe inside the house. Daddy is their protector as much as they are mine. Or so that's what I like to think, and I've never been growled at by any of them while they were sleeping.

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Audrey1

· #11 · Dec 12, 2011 (Edited)

blueberry said:
. He snores....he tucks his head down under his front feet and snores. I told him "no" and put him out of the room for a few minutes. I think over all he is a little grouchy.

I just re-read your original posting - uhh, when he snores, you tell him "no" and put him out of the room for a few minutes? I would growl at you, too. Seriously. Obviously he is in deep sleep and you keep waking him up and putting him in another room for a few minutes. I think you are asking for trouble
I don't think it is his thyroid...it is interrupted sleep. It would be like every time you snored, your SO make you go outside as a punishment. So you are woken up, go outside, then you fall back asleep and you start snoring again and are punished again. I don't get your reasoning. I'd be more than grouchy, quite frankly.

ooh - I just re-read it again....or do you mean that only this time when he growled you put him in the other room? Sorry if I misunderstood... BUT, don't wake him for snoring.

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blueberry

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 12, 2011

Audrey1 said:
I just re-read your original posting - uhh, when he snores, you tell him "no" and put him out of the room for a few minutes? I would growl at you, too. Seriously. Obviously he is in deep sleep and you keep waking him up and putting him in another room for a few minutes. I think you are asking for trouble
I don't think it is his thyroid...it is interrupted sleep. It would be like every time you snored, your SO make you go outside as a punishment. So you are woken up, go outside, then you fall back asleep and you start snoring again and are punished again. I don't get your reasoning. I'd be more than grouchy, quite frankly.

ooh - I just re-read it again....or do you mean that only this time when he growled you put him in the other room? Sorry if I misunderstood... BUT, don't wake him for snoring.

I put him out of the room for growling at me not for snoring....if I put "beings"
out of the room for snoring....I would be sleeping alone! Both dogs and my boyfriend snore....and I would be lonely

I just did not want this to become a habit with him....I wake him up all the time.....never with any problems. I was shocked because I thought we were past that....I did not know what else to do....I was half asleep....so I put him out for a few minutes. When he got up....he started trying to climb in bed with me....I think he knew why I was upset. I am also getting his thyroid checked because he is missing a little hair on the back of his ears....I have read the thyroid problems can cause mood differences.

Toby'shuman

· #13 · Dec 12, 2011

There is of course a very simple answer to this problem and that is either get used to his snoring or..... give him a warning that you are going to wake him by making enough noise to bring him out of his deep sleep.

By the way, I am surrounded by folk and animals that snore. I find earplugs are invaluable.

blueberry

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 12, 2011

Toby'shuman said:
There is of course a very simple answer to this problem and that is either get used to his snoring or..... give him a warning that you are going to wake him by making enough noise to bring him out of his deep sleep.

By the way, I am surrounded by folk and animals that snore. I find earplugs are invaluable.

I sleep in earplugs every night....he snores that loud!

Toby'shuman

· #15 · Dec 12, 2011

blueberry said:
I sleep in earplugs every night....he snores that loud!

Wonderful aren't they.

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Scoob

· #16 · Dec 12, 2011

I got bit in the face by Rudy years ago when I was petting him while he was sleeping. He was sleeping in my bed and growling while he was sleeping. I just kept petting him then all at once he bit me in the face. It left a small scar. That is the only time I have ever had a problem with him. He nuzzles real close to me now and falls asleep. We have a good relationship. After years of no trouble, I chalk it off to his dreaming in his sleep and waking, thinking I was a predator.

Scoob

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bean

· #17 · Dec 12, 2011 (Edited)

I've never had a dog growl at me for moving or touching them during sleep, but I've never had a touchy dog, either. I can do anything to my dogs when they're resting, but I don't surprise them when they're fully asleep because I know I'd probably be startled if someone tried to move me when I was truly sleeping. I have read on here that some dogs are just heavier sleepers and are a little disoriented when they wake up. In that circumstance, as mentioned above, I would just be very careful to be sure the dog was awake before I did anything to them.

Audrey1 said:
Over and over again, you see people saying their Dobes growled at them for: 1) waking or disturbing them from a deep sleep and 2) taking a bone away from them.

Let him sleep and snore. As for #2 which wasn't your issue, many have said to let your dog enjoy his bone if you give him one.

I know this thread isn't about resource guarding, but I have to respectfully disagree with #2. I strongly feel that I should be able to take any high-value item from my dogs at any time with zero complaint. Of course I don't just do this on a whim, I don't do it frequently, and I work with each dog specifically regarding this when they're new to me. I think if you do it right, there should never even be a guarding type of a stance/behavior when you go to get something from them. You all know I love my dogs and they get spoiled with all kinds of goodies, but ultimately these goodies are mine, and I am letting them have it. They are not theirs. Sometimes there could be a need to take away a high-value item for safety reasons. I've had to reach into my dogs mouths before to pull out a piece of whatever (pressed rawhide, for example) as it was getting lodged. Or maybe the end of the chew is getting small so it's no longer safe to chew on it. Or maybe a shard of bone broke off. I feel that I shouldn't have to hesitate in doing that for any reason.

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Aries Mouse

· #18 · Dec 12, 2011

If it wasn't him being startled, maybe it was related to him dreaming like Scoob said. That's all I can think of.

I cuddle, pet, and snuggle my dog all the time while he sleeps, with no warning, and he never growls. I some times have to move him if he starts crowding me to much (He has to lay against me when he sleeps, other wise he wont sleep on the bed. XD ) and at most he'll just give a grumpy grumble/mutter, I imagine it a lot like TheStig mentioned.

You mentioned your pup having problems in the past, could just be a little something from that, brief flashback, if dogs can have such things.

All I can say is the same as almost everyone else, just give more warning in the future, in-case you did startle him awake, especially from a dream.

lolonurse

· #19 · Dec 12, 2011

...and remember that dealing with a rescued or rehomed dog can be so different than a dog you've had from 8 or 10 weeks... there's history there which you might never know, or, if known, can't undo entirely. i think our Dobes' snoring is adorable, and think my husband's is not especially... but i can poke my husband and try to get him to turn over... but with any dog, no matter how gentle, devoted, easy-going, i am always going to be cautious enough to avoid interrupting a dream about catching a bunny, because i don't want to BE that bunny! i use words, shift my body, make noises - all of which rouse them enough to know where they are. as for high value items, every dog i've ever had gets touched and handles and kept company while they eat, or has toys and bones taken and given back right from the start, so they know i'm the mommy, but i'm very benevolent... like bean.

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brw1982

· #20 · Dec 12, 2011

bean said:
I know this thread isn't about resource guarding, but I have to respectfully disagree with #2. I strongly feel that I should be able to take any high-value item from my dogs at any time with zero complaint. Of course I don't just do this on a whim, I don't do it frequently, and I work with each dog specifically regarding this when they're new to me. I think if you do it right, there should never even be a guarding type of a stance/behavior when you go to get something from them. You all know I love my dogs and they get spoiled with all kinds of goodies, but ultimately these goodies are mine, and I am letting them have it. They are not theirs. Sometimes there could be a need to take away a high-value item for safety reasons. I've had to reach into my dogs mouths before to pull out a piece of whatever (pressed rawhide, for example) as it was getting lodged. Or maybe the end of the chew is getting small so it's no longer safe to chew on it. Or maybe a shard of bone broke off. I feel that I shouldn't have to hesitate in doing that for any reason.

Tali came to me with some resource guarding issues and I feel the same as you, Erica. I want to be able to safely take things from my dogs. I had to put in quite a bit of work with her on this. I still do it with her every now and then when she has something safe; I take said object so I can give it back to her and reinforce it's good to let me have things.

I tend to feel that if I give my dogs a treat, then I'm giving it to them to enjoy and they shouldn't feel concerned that it will be taken from them. BUT it was especially important to me that I be able to take things from Tali because she tries to eat unsafe objects sometimes. For Tali's safety, I needed to be able to take high value items from her without being concerned for my safety.

As for growling when being woke up...meh. Doesn't bother me. I'm grumbly when someone wakes me up, too. Dogs included. I've been jumped on by Dobes when sleeping before and you better believe I growl at them.

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