Growling at me?

[Thorsmomma]

So I would like some feed back here. Recently, Thor has begun growling at me if I get him out of his bed which is in his crate. Even if I am just moving him to adjust him, or his toys, when he is settled in his bed he growls at me!! This is a new development which I DO NOT like. I am wondering if his bed should be his place where I leave him alone in, or not. LIke I am invading 'his quite' place? This is not cool and I don't know what is going on here or what I should do about it. Oh and the growling at me is like a warning that he is about to bite me. I say 'no bite' and he kinda backs off but he still kinda lunges and gives me the soft yet agressive bite. Or he just growls and shows his teeth...it's kind of half harted but I believe this is a serious problem! Please give me some words of advise!!!
Thanks a ton!!!
Hannah

[lily's mom]

Yep, I agree! This is a serious problem in the making. Nip it in the bud and quick. Some people won't like this, but I have no problem at all rapping a pup on the nose for serious offfenses like this.

[SnowWa]

I had this darling little dog - that wouldn't bite a person in a million years -

BUT - when she was on my bed or on the sofa (just being especially comfortable) --- if anyone tried to move her, it was like trying to touch the "dog from hell." She fought with her whole heart and soul to stay right where she was - and was going to fight to stay there.

So - we left her alone....she was obviously very happy right where she was.

PS - I could override this and tell her to just knock it off and pick her up and move her -- but everyone else was afraid to do this.

And, again, remember I am talking about the sweetest little dog in the world.

Good luck! I would say - just "let your dog be!"

Carol Jean

[mortbike]

milo does the same thing when his mommy is putting on his pj's,, or when moving him after he has been asleep.... we have been trying to train him alittle bit but so far no luck,,,

[luvmymonkies]

How old is Thore? I love his name by the way! I may be wrong, but this is just my opinion. You mentioned that he does this while he is peaceful in his crate. I believe that a dog also needs his own space and private time just like we do and I think it's great that he actually likes his crate and feels safe in it. Do you adjust him or his toys while he's in his crate? Or is he just asleep on the sofa or somewhere in the open? If he's out in the open, there is definitely no excuse for the growling there. I agree that your dog should never growl at you in a defensive way, but if he's in his quiet space and resting and someone or something comes to break that peace constantly, that could explain why this has started. I learned this the hard way. When I was a teenager, I had a dog that I loved so much that I just couldn't leave her alone and she hated me. She always slept with my dad because he didn't bother her. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop touching her or kissing her especially when she was asleep. Maybe this doesn't relate to you at all!! I just know that I have a tendency to be like "Elmira"...LOL!!

[FirstYorkie]

*IF* this is the only place that he growls at you, this is what I would do. First, I'd stop reaching in to adjust him or his toys. I expect he is fine where he is.

Second, I would occasionally walk by when he is in his bed and casually drop in a treat. Repeat many times. Let him learn that you approaching him while he's in bed is a good thing. When he starts eagerly wagging his tail (or stub) when you approach, you can try talking softly to him, then dropping his treat. S l o w l y advance to petting him and then give him a treat.

In this case, I would not tap him on the nose - I think that will make him dislike you're approaching him in bed even more.

Is this the only time he growls? Does he guard his toys or food at other times?

[Thorsmomma]

Thanks everyone for your great advise!!! Thor is 10mos old. He growls at me only when he is asleep in his crate. He is ususally a sweet dog. He will let me crawl into his cage with no problems. He just rolls over on his back when he hears me for me to rub his belly, tail wagging and everything! It's when I go to pick him up. He isn't often disturbed...kind of, and I don't ty to take him out every time. As soon as my hand goes backbehind his back, or under him (it doesn't matter where, he reads my mind) to pick him up it all starts. I know with hamsters its not nice to dump them out of there huts (lol) so I understand this is his private secure place, so should I just ignore it becuase it is confined to 'his space'? Again thanks guys, I'm worried about this.

[Olivier]

He react like a human when a person wake him or her up every minutes . Gioia is just like Thor . She isn't an aggressive little one . She don't want to be disturbed when she is in her " home ".

[Muffie's Mom]

I read the other day that you aren't supposed to touch a sleeping dog - not even when they're having the "flinching" dreams.

That is HIS private DEN. It is the place where he feels safe from anything and everyone.

I would agree with walking by and dropping in treats so he would start thinking positive when you approach him.

Good luck.

[Ponyup]

Maybe he's just not ready to come out. We put Logan in a playpen while we're gone it has a fitted crib sheet over the top so he can't jump out. Usually when I pull the sheet back he jumps up on the side because he's ready to come out, but sometimes he sits back in his bed. I just tell him let me know when you're ready to come out and pretty soon he does. Sometimes he needs a few minutes because he just woke up or because he's having man trouble lol. I would just open the door and either cox thor out with a treat or let him come out when he's ready.

[TLC]

I am having the same issues with TJ. He is growling and snapping when he is sleeping and doesn't want to be disturbed. He also is starting to attack Roxy (visously) over special treats and bones. I don't like this behavior and I really need it to stop. This morning he was going crazy over a treat and attacked Roxy. He turned into the "DEVIL" for a short period of time, he was growling and snapping at me too. So I did 'pat' and told him NO. I took away the treat - so NO ONE got one. I held Roxy, she was so scared, I told her she was a good girl, but then I had to leave for work. I don't like his behavior at all!!!!!!!!!

[centralnewyorki]

Sounds like Thor thinks he's the king of the house! Olivia will get into a mood and be snippy once in a while. (My bf says Olivia is just like her mommy- grumpy as heck if someone wakes her!) I give her a firm "no!" just to remind her that I'm the boss. I don't think it's anything too serious, but I wouldn't let him tell you what to do.

[luvmymonkies]

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

Thanks everyone for your great advise!!! Thor is 10mos old. He growls at me only when he is asleep in his crate. He is ususally a sweet dog. He will let me crawl into his cage with no problems. He just rolls over on his back when he hears me for me to rub his belly, tail wagging and everything! It's when I go to pick him up. He isn't often disturbed...kind of, and I don't ty to take him out every time. As soon as my hand goes backbehind his back, or under him (it doesn't matter where, he reads my mind) to pick him up it all starts. I know with hamsters its not nice to dump them out of there huts (lol) so I understand this is his private secure place, so should I just ignore it becuase it is confined to 'his space'? Again thanks guys, I'm worried about this.

Yeah, I think I would stop disturbing him while he's in his crate altogether. There is a reason he has retreated to his private place, whether it be to sleep or to get away from the everyday goings on in the home (I know, sounds stupid, but dogs get stressed over little things too). I do agree with "FirstYorkie" by just dropping a little treat in the front of his crate every now and then, but nothing more. I would just respect his "safe zone" at all times unless you think he may be ill or acting out of character. To me, by you saying that you "don't try to take him out every time" sounds like you still take him out of his space quite often . I know, they're sooooo cute and it's hard not to love on them!!! I totally understand. Trust me, I have to stop myself constantly! Sometimes when Monkey is sleeping on the sofa, I can't stop myself from going by and kissing him on his head. Then he just gets irritated, gets up and moves somewhere else...that's when I feel bad and I tell myself "don't make him hate you, Heather"...LOL! Please keep us updated on what you've decided to do and how Thor is doing!

[Jenn218]

I think that our little furbabies are a lot like us too....we can get pretty aggravated when someone messes with us when we are comfy,asleep, not feeling well, or just want to be left alone.

I have issue with my guy growling and wanting to bite "attack" over food (sometimes). He knows that when he sees my hand "finger" coming toward his nose, that he was in the wrong. I never though of it as a dominance issue, but I guess it is.....did anyone have any suggestions for an aggressive furbaby?

[Thorsmomma]

OKay ladies...Thank you thank you thank you. I take your opinions to heart and I am going to try SO hard to just leave him alone!!!......maybe just one belly rub ?! I do agree that his crate is his safe zone, so I guess that's all it is...me annoying him when he's trying to rest!!