Sleep agression

[Tanya]

Leading on from Jen talking about her course.....has anyone had any experience of this in dogs?

We were warned that Frida had this when we homed her, and we are always careful to make sure she is awake before we touch her or disturb her on the sofa. Last night she was on the sofa with us as usual, but she woke up suddenly with a snarl and snapped towards Emma's leg, which she was resting her head on. She only glanced the skin, but Emma was shaken as she's was bitten as a child by a dog.

We are used to her doing this if we touch her suddenly when she is in a deep sleep, but neither of us had touched her or moved at all ???

I'm not sure really if there is anything that can be done to lessen this behavior as it is only a reaction when sleeping. She is the sweetest dog at all othertimes :078:

[Freckle Face]

Not heard of this at all. Could she have been dreaming about something and still been half asleep when she did it?

:075:for Emma.

[Tanya]

Not much on google about it but this is accurate enough....especially the bit about sleeping with eyes open :074:

http://www.munlochyanimalaid.co.uk/faq/Sleep.pdf

[MightyMouth]

I do this when I get woken up suddenly (not bite but snap). If it is good enough to have grumpy humans I suppose it is good enough for doggies!

[Tanya]

Lol :045:

[Helen]

I know someone who re-homed a little lurcher girl who is like this - the rules are 'never touch her when she's asleep' - she sleeps in a crate so the other dogs don't inadvertently disturb her, because she will lash out in fear.

This girl had the most traumatic start to life - she was found in a dark shed with her stillborn puppies - at 8 months old, so it's not surprising she has fears that manifest in this way.

I think Frida just woke suddenly and just wasn't aware of who/where she was and was in that half dream state - I don't think you can do anything to help her with this but it may mean that you really can't go near her at all when she's asleep.

Poor girlie :062:

ps hope Emma is ok

[Tanya]

Cheers Helen - as far as we know she wasn't a mistreated hound, just useless at racing :045:


She has done this ever since we've had her....I guess this time Emma was just unfortunate enough to have her leg too close :074: I think she shocks herself as well when she does it, as she always looks guilty after :Z It's always just a very quick, short reaction, usually a couple of snappy barks and then she's fully awake and back to her normal self.....:077:

She's not too bad on her bed in the kitchen, but seems to suffer from it more on the sofa.....Fargo knows when he can snuggle with her and when she wants her own space! I think we've just got to be more aware of where any exposed skin is in relation to her mouth when on the sofa ;)...she only lifts her head up and does it, it's not like she leaps up and lunges towards you!

Interesting that your friend's one is a 'pointy' dog as well....perhaps it is more specific to these types of dogs.

[mrsk]

Funny that you bring this up as something I was going to ask about....Molly is the least aggressive dog I've ever come across and I have NO worries at all about her when she is in a normal state. However, she has gotten into the routine of going to bed with one of the girls at night and then we go in and take her out to go to her own bed at our bed time.
She now growls when one of us goes in to get her and not sure whether she is protecting my daughters or whether we have woken her up. Once we speak and say stop she comes off the bed and trots happily downstairs - any thoughts? Emphasise - this is not really a problem, more just interested!

I hope Emma is OK, big hugs.

[Tanya]

Funny that you bring this up as something I was going to ask about....Molly is the least aggressive dog I've ever come across and I have NO worries at all about her when she is in a normal state. However, she has gotten into the routine of going to bed with one of the girls at night and then we go in and take her out to go to her own bed at our bed time.
She now growls when one of us goes in to get her and not sure whether she is protecting my daughters or whether we have woken her up. Once we speak and say stop she comes off the bed and trots happily downstairs - any thoughts? Emphasise - this is not really a problem, more just interested!

I hope Emma is OK, big hugs.


It sounds to me like she's maybe being a bit protective of your daughter, combined with a 'sod off, I like it just fine where I am' :050: :045:

But I would ask a proper behaviorist's advice if you're concerned about it, maybe stop her going up there for a while if it gets any worse.......

[mrsk]

It's not something we are 'worried' about more just a bit suprised by it as she has absolutely no aggression in her at all, she is the softest most submissive wee thing ever. I think your answer is prob the same as ours and that she is moaning at being moved from her comfy spot! We are 3000% sure she would never do anything other than growl, we were considering stopping letting her get into bed with the kids but weren't sure. Anyone else's thoughts would be appreciated (where are you Cazza?!?! ha ha ha).

[Freckle Face]

Have you tried tempting her out with a treat?

[Helen]

Have you tried tempting her out with a treat?

Agree with Jen - she's saying 'bog off it's comfy and warm here'....so you need to change that to 'oh boy, I'm going downstairs for a treat' :044: