I have never heard of this phenomenon but it is good to know. I've had a lot of dogs through here with rescue, my own, my family members when I dogsat, etc., and have never personally observed it but it does sound like this might be what started the old "sleeping dogs" saying as "dottiesyrky" said. I know that ever since I've had Tibbe, when he finally settles on the pillow beside me to go to sleep, gives his big sigh and starts to let go, he often start growling. But if I reach & turn his head around to look in his face or lean over him, he isn't grouchy or snappy. He just well very often growl as he goes off to sleep and has since Day 1 in this house. These little guys sure keep it interesting trying to figure them out.
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |