The dog did something weird...

[Smurfette]

We have a 10 month old golden retriever. She's sweet as suger, but all kinds of dumb. DUMB.

Anyway, last night, LHF68 and I were watching TV and the dogs were sleeping on the floor by us like they always do. LHF68 went down to cuddle the pup, and she jumped up and snapped at him. As soon as she realized what she had done, she cowered-- she was even shaking b/c she was so upset.

I'm curious to get thoughts from others about this. She's never bit before-- although she has snapped at the big dog a couple of times. I want to think she was sleeping-- maybe dreaming-- and this was just a reaction b/c she was scared. But I also worry that it might be a serious behavior flaw that needs to be addressed.

Thoughts?

 

[lnghrngrl]

Sounds like she was dreaming and was startled.... especially since she seemed aware of the fact that she did something wrong once she was alert.

 

[98HornGirl]

Unless that gets to be a regular behavior, I wouldn't worry about it, sounds like she was just startled.

We learned as kids that when we had to wake up our dad we had to stand a safe distance and say "Dad, Dad, DAD!". If you touched him, he'd come up swinging.

 

[bluto]

i dont really see anything weird at all. its a dog and it was startled. no need to worry

 

[l00p]

She may have been looking in as one of you were perusing the snake thread. She may have thought him to be a Drought Mamba. When she realized he was not, she was remorseful. I agree that if this does not happen again or regularly, no problem. If she is a super duper heavy sleeper and she does this, make sure to find other ways to wake her.

My Dad was one you did not dare wake up without an easy out. He came up swinging sometimes. I am glad I don't have the job or work he had!

 

[wolfman]

It reminds me of the old saying, let sleeping dogs lie. Sounds like he scared her.

 

[X-Ray_Horn]

She was dreaming, was startled, reacted, realized she probably overreacted and was embarrassed. Believe me, dogs get embarrassed.

There's also a chance she had a paw or some soft tissue in the wrong place, and when she was cuddled, it got pinched. Combined with the rude awakening, she was upset and trying to work it out in a nanosecond.

Dogs do some weird stuff while sleeping... and when they wake up:

Dog dreams, freaks the hell out

 

[12thStudStan]

You might have to put LHF68 down if the problem persists.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

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