Grumpy Girl

[ramonaghan]

Sweep has been rather snarky for a few weeks now. We thought maybe she was out of sorts after I was in the hospital with flu/pneumonia in mid-January, since her daily routine was so disrupted, but the behavior has continued well beyond what we would expect from that. She's always had sleep startle but what we're seeing now is new: she doesn't seem to like being rubbed on her bed at all. She'll tolerate it for a minute but then snaps (nothing serious, just a stern warning that makes us jump), yet sometimes she'll paw at us to continue petting immediately afterward . I don't think it's pain related because she's happy to be petted while standing, and she loves being brushed all over with the Zoom Groom; there's no reactivity at all. She's still enthusiastic about walks and meals and rides, and still leans on us and seeks affection from us daily.

 

This behavior seems especially directed toward my husband. It's a shame because literally until a couple of months ago their nightly ritual was for him to massage her feet for a half hour or so until she drifted off. And of course it makes us both a bit apprehensive about petting her in general, which I'm sure makes her nervous too. Obviously now we've instituted the "Rocket rule" of only petting her when she's standing, but I'm wondering if there's any hope of getting back to where we were.

 

Any thoughts or advice? She's 8 now, so is she just becoming more curmudgeonly with age? She's on Previcox every other day for her chronic toe issue, and she gets a joint supplement and fish oil daily. Appetite is great as always.

[LaFlaca]

I wonder if she's being protective of you especially in view of your recent illness?

[ramonaghan]

I wonder if she's being protective of you especially in view of your recent illness?

 

As much as I'd like this to be the case, she's done it to me too, so I don't think it is. The fact that she's done it more with my husband might simply be that their nightly routine is for her to be in her bed on his side of the couch where they've typically had their after-dinner bonding time. I'm here with her all day and less likely to touch her on her bed since I'm busy working.

 

The timing is odd, though, since it started just after I got home from the hospital.

Edited February 28, 2018 by ramonaghan

[LaFlaca]

My only other thought is to avoid the situation/actions that make her grumble.

Edited February 28, 2018 by LaFlaca

[macoduck]

I've been using some essential oils with noticeable results, particularly with stress and thunderstorms. I do both diffusion and topical for those problems. I use a line developed by a vet and her license is on the line. They are safe for creatures from fish to elephants. I just attended her seminar last weekend. No mass marketing like Young Living or doTerra and the like. Her most recent lecture was at NC State's vet school.

She's on FB as https://www.facebook.com/groups/animalEO/

And online at https://www.animalEO.info

PM me if you have any questions about Dr Shelton's products.

[Hubcitypam]

. I'd say just go about your business and let sleeping and resting dogs lie for a bit..

What a husband you have....I'm sure many GT ladies would love it if someone would massage their paws for a half hour every night.

[ramonaghan]

I've been using some essential oils with noticeable results, particularly with stress and thunderstorms. I do both diffusion and topical for those problems. I use a line developed by a vet and her license is on the line. They are safe for creatures from fish to elephants. I just attended her seminar last weekend. No mass marketing like Young Living or doTerra and the like. Her most recent lecture was at NC State's vet school.

She's on FB as https://www.facebook.com/groups/animalEO/

And online at https://www.animalEO.info

PM me if you have any questions about Dr Shelton's products.

 

Thanks, Ducky, I'll give it a read.

 

What a husband you have....I'm sure many GT ladies would love it if someone would massage their paws for a half hour every night.

 

Haha! It started as PT massage for her wonky toe but then became habit. We are indeed pretty lucky ladies.

[Banjoman]

Both of mine air snap when they want me to make a fuss of them. Chancey greyhound does both the snap and the pawing if I stop!

[XTRAWLD]

Less likely but I wonder how much static electricity you might be generating when petting her? Can you feel any funny bumps when you pet her that might be making her reactive? Maybe hubby's nails are too long LOL

[ramonaghan]

Less likely but I wonder how much static electricity you might be generating when petting her? Can you feel any funny bumps when you pet her that might be making her reactive? Maybe hubby's nails are too long LOL

 

No Sweep bumps or DH long nails but we have wondered about static...like maybe it happened once and now she's skittish? Though we've accidentally shocked her many times before without completely traumatizing her.

 

Don't think it's happy air snapping either because it's accompanied by a snarl and she has connected...just hasn't broken skin. She has excellent bite inhibition, thankfully.