He's a Norwegian Elkhound.. 9 month old pup. I have had him since 6 weeks and he's been a joy. Is totally obedient and has never once snapped or barked at me. He just gives this really sad low growl like I'm hurting him when I give him a soft bearhug. Is this his way of hugging me back? He and I are very "tight" I have loved this dog tremendously...
2007-01-31 15:45:21 · 12 answers · asked by Jane Doe 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a beagle that did the same thing...she was showing pleasure...like when you hug someone and groan or go hmmmmmm dogs do that tooo- I have a silky terrier that "smiles" at me and my beagle just gives a low pitched growl when she hugs me...if you make a noise when you hug him he may be mimicking you and doing what you do becuase your dog likes you---take it as a compliment-
however, if you feel like your dog may be in pain,, by all means take him/her to get checked out.
I think its just your dogs way of saying "thanks for the hug dude---you rock"--
you are blessed
Aero
2007-01-31 15:55:28 · answer #1 · answered by Aero-Smith 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
My bulldog and I do this all the time. She will be sleeping at the foot of my bed and I will climb over her and give her a big hug. She'll make a low growl/groan. Then I will growl back and then we'll go back and forth. Then I move up to the top of my bed and she'll get up and move up next to me and lick my arm or crawl under the covers and lick my feet. It's become kind of a game. My Jack Rat also makes noises when I hug him. If I stop he'll come over and start pawing me for more. My dogs love hugs especially when they're sleeping. They seem to take it as an invitation to get closer. Unfortunately sometimes it makes it hard to sleep because my 4 dogs want to get so close I can't move. These so called dog experts make me laugh, if you spend a lot of time with your dog and interact with your dog your dog will act how you treat them, I'm not alpha, I'm mama.
2016-01-05 16:41:25 · answer #2 · answered by Linda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to make sure your dog knows you're alpha dog and it isn't OK for him to growl at you. He could be trying to send you a signal to back off, and you need to control that.
Make sure it doesn't turn into an aggression problem. Low growls are warnings. Puppies and young dogs will try to exert dominance and figure out their place in the "pack" and it's YOUR job to make sure YOU are alpha and that he is ALWAYS omega (last) dog of the pack in your whole family/household.
Teach him to go on his back with you- a dog on its back is a sign of subordination and you need to communicate that he needs to yield to you and be subservient. Start now before he matures and becomes aggressive with you and other people/animals.
2007-01-31 16:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
He's confused. Such action is not known in dog language. A bear hug is closer to a reprimand than what you are intending. With newbie dogs, it is best not to be so dominant. When he begins to understand upright language and action (we are uprights) then you can be more snuggly. Keep your hands from the top of his head, stay down on the chin/chest areas then when he lays down, on his back.
That said, I have a dog with whom I snuggle and he tends to give a mellow hum sound, but it's taken time.
2007-01-31 15:54:55 · answer #4 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My dog does that too. Always has. He is 11 and 1/2 years.
Some dogs just don't like being held and manipulated. It makes them feel vulnerable. It's nothing personal. My other dog.....loves it...thrives on it.
Dogs have different likes and dislikes, just like we do. He'll learn to deal with it..just keep the hugs brief...
2007-01-31 15:56:44 · answer #5 · answered by KarenS 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He may be a wonderful dog but he is warning you that he doesn't like to be hugged. I recommend you find another way to show him affection before he bites.
2007-01-31 15:56:57 · answer #6 · answered by Ann 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
My dog moans when I hug her too. You could just be disturbing his sleep...remember...let sleeping dogs lie.
2007-01-31 15:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by moobiemuffin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that is because he is feeling uneasy, my dog used to do this to me. i later found out, that pressing their neck and body together makes them feel uneasy, they growl to let u know. lucky its a puppy, my dog almost bite me, it was 2 years old then!
2007-01-31 15:56:14 · answer #8 · answered by vinosh19 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It's like a happy sigh. He feels good when you hug him.
2007-01-31 15:50:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Maybe that's his way of expressing his affection for you.
2007-01-31 16:11:57 · answer #10 · answered by SouthernStar 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋