Growling And Snapping In Sleep

[Guest ElleD]

I just got my first grey, Boo, in November. She's been wonderful so far (although shows some separation anxiety when I am not at home), but recently she has started snapping in her sleep. She likes to curl up on the couch and she's been fine with anyone snuggling on the couch with her. Recently though, she'll fall asleep, then start growling if you're touching her. If you don't move away from her, she'll wake up and snap at you. She's never been aggressive toward people before (she'll snap sometimes when meeting other dogs if she's afraid or if they're new) and she hasn't had a problem sleeping near me before. When she does it, her eyes will be open sometimes so I'm not sure if she's sleeping or if she's having a nightmare with her eyes open. Is there a way to teach her not to do it or should I just make her get off the couch and find another sleeping spot? I'm worried she's going to actually bite someone.

Edited January 9, 2012 by ElleD

[Guest Geostar]

It's been said that greys sleep with the eyes open.. In regards to the growling/snapping bit, I would call her name before touching her as she is most likely dreaming. Mine will growl and bark in their sleep. I've known some owners which have greys that will snap if they disturb them. Always call her name first before you touch her. See if that helps..

 

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[TheFullHouse]

She's got some sleep aggression. First thing I would do is get her off the sofa, don't let her back on it until this issue resolves itself. Always make sure you call her name and make sure she's awake before approaching her while she is on her bed. Sometimes this issue will resolve itself the longer the greyhound is in the home. She needs to learn to completely trust you and she hasn't been with you long enough to have built up that trust. Until the sleep aggression stops I would prohibit her from getting on any of the furniture. Just teach her to go to her bed when she wants on the sofa.

 

Greyhounds have never had to share their sleeping space before. They have always had their crates and were not disturbed while in them sleeping so this is all new to her. Give her time, she'll figure it out. It's just better that everyone is safe from an accidental snap while it does.

Edited January 9, 2012 by JillysFullHouse

[GeorgeofNE]

My boy was very sleep aggressive at first. As Judy (JillysFullHouse) said, when she trusts you completely, it will most likely resolve. Until then, make sure everyone in your household knows to NEVER touch her when she's asleep. And George did sleep with his eyes open--I always clapped my hands near him before touching him.

 

I've had him for four years now, and the probably is mostly gone, but I'm still cautious.

[Guest verthib]

My boy Angus has some sleep aggression. He doesn't necessarily snap at us when we touch him but he will be dreaming and barking and growling, so we have had the rule to not touch him when he's sleeping...we say his name first like JillysFullHouse recommended or sometimes just wiggle his bed a little. Granted, it has gotten SO much better in the 4-5 months we've had him. We've recently tested him while sleeping many times with a long stuffed animal or my back scratcher and he just lifts his head like "What are you doing? I was dreaming of cookies!?" There has been much progress in his learning to trust us. Both of my greys also sleep with their eyes open sometimes as well. Kinda freaky looking because the whites of their eyes show and they look possessed! (see photo below) - He also sleeps with his mouth open when sleeping sometimes.

If any stranger met him like that, they would want to run the other way!

 

Edited January 9, 2012 by verthib

[Guest ElleD]

Thanks for all the advice! I'll try everything ya'll have talked about.

 

Verthib, I love that picture! I have a couple of Boo like that. At first I didn't know what she was doing when her eyes would roll forward in her head because she looked like she was dead, but now I know she's just out cold.

[mychip1]

My Jack developed major sleep aggression where he would actually attack unprovoked in his sleep - but he was extreme and the specialist believed he had a physiological problem.

 

My JJ has more of what you are talking about...growl with a snap. He is the most outgoing, friendly hound, but he doesn't like to be touched when asleep....so I just respect that. I've had him 18 months...and he is a total Mama's boy, but still will react if he is not fully awake....and yes...sometimes with his eyes wide open.

 

If you have children, it is critical that they know not to go near your hound. You don't need a disaster - nor does your hound.

[Guest ElleD]

Things have been better! I posted after my roommate's boyfriend was snuggling on the couch with Boo (he says she's his new girlfriend!) and she snapped at him. He jerked away and ended up punching my roommate in the mouth! So thankfully, that hasn't happened again. Boo has growled and snapped two more times, but whenever she does it, she gets kicked off the couch immediately. Then comes the most pathetic display of "I'm sorry" eyes I've ever seen. It's so hard to resist, but she has to stay off the couch that night if she does it. Haven't had a problem in a couple days but we'll see where it's going. She's also been pretty good about house training, but if I kick her off the couch, it's like she gets mad and will go pee in my room. Trying to prevent that as well. She's a sneaky one!

[Guest Geostar]

ElleD..

Hi..I wouldn't 'kick her off the couch". Rather speak to her sternly with a "No Snapping" command, snap a leash to her collar and encourage her to come off the couch. Her ears hear well..and your body language of sheer disgust will imprint on her mind what she needs to do. Show her the bed you wish her to lay upon and be firm, but, gentle. Pile pillows on the couch so she can't comfortably lie down. Being physical with her in that situation could lead to more 'problems'. Your actions could get a very different response than you would like.

 

Our first greyhound, Grace, had some problems if you bent over her when she was lying down. She'd raise her head and snap. All I said was in response, was a firm "NO!". Granted it is a rather shaky experience to have a dog snap like that, still I never hit her. She had been abused earlier at the track and was a timid greyhound when we adopted her. Over time, she understood and never snapped again. Being physical with her was not an answer..

 

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[XTRAWLD]

This sounds like sleep startling to me. New greys often come home with this and IMO grow out of it, but some are worse than others and do need a bit of training.

 

You know the adage, "let sleeping dogs lie"? Why are folks waking them up in the first place? I can understand if you are walking by their bed and they are awake and growl at you - that is uncalled for, but if you know they are sleeping, why bug them?

[Guest ElleD]

Well, I can't tell if she's sleeping or just being grouchy about her space. What happens is we'll be sitting on the couch, she's curled up next to me touching me, and after a certain period of time, she start growling. If she growls (I've learned to recognize it before she starts snapping), I have her get off the couch. She'll keep trying to get back up, but I'll block her with pillows or move my body so she doesn't have room to jump up. After a couple of attempts, she'll stop and go lie down on her bed. A lot of the times, she's awake, staring right at me when she growls so I know she's seen me.

 

She's definitely a velcro dog. So wherever I go, she's definitely right behind me or leaning against me. When I sit on the couch, she comes and sits next to me. I don't know if I should just say she can't be on the couch and have to sit on her dog bed or let her sit next to people on the couch.

[Guest Geostar]

Well, ElleD, your first paragraph sounds more like she is saying, "Just wanted you to know that you are on MY couch! So, just relax and don't bother me." Huh? Excuse me! It is good that you suggest that she gets off of the couch while you are on it as she is a bit dominant over you. When she curls up beside you, she indicating to you to leave..especially if she begins to growl. Have your leash ready, snap it to her collar..and saw.."Down!" and firmly get her off the couch.

 

Yes, I would train her to 'stay off the couch" period. Obedience training to help take care of that dominance of hers. You have to be the one in charge, not her. I know..it can be scary at times!

 

I know when our late Grace snapped at me, it terrified me because when I was three years of old, two large (well, to a child of three) Irish Setters knocked me down. I didn't know why they had done it, and had a fear of large dogs after that, or any sized dog for a long time. Grace was not a large female: 53 pounds, but, it does not matter when a dog lunges and snaps..what size they are! After getting a hold of my beating heart, I stared at her, meeting her eyes with mine and holding steady, and said firmly, "NO GROWL!" She did that three more times, and then, after that, never did it again. I used the same command each time. Hope that helps..

 

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[sobesmom]

I have dealt with severe sleep aggression. Don't let the dog fall asleep on the couch, or bed, for now. Let the dog acclimate to the new home more. Wait. As it becomes comfortable in the house, the sleep aggression may go away. If it doesn't (it didn't in my case) there are things you can do to work on that. For now - don't let the dog sleep on furniture.