my beagle snaps everytime we get near her when sleeping?

Question

She is 7 months old. We got a kitten a couple of months ago and the kitten bites her feet when she sleeps. But this evening my 10 year old layed down next to her and she growled and snapped and bit his lip. I'm not sure what to do to stop this, I cannot keep having this going on for my sons saftey. He didn't even touch her and has never been mean to her. Please any idea's. I live in rural newfoundland so there is no training classes available out here.

Answer 1

Keep the cat away from the dog while it's asleep...I'd be a little touchy also if my feet were bitten while I was asleep. But be serious about the dog snapping at people, discipline as necessary. Get the dog used to people slightly rousing them, I walk by my dogs and pat them when I'm up at night, they know to expect friendliness...not kitten fangs.

Answer 2

Your dog is reacting to the behavior exhibited by the cat. First, do not let the cat continue to bother the dog. Defending your dog will prove dominance among the house and the dog will feel a sense of security when you are around. Second, I would suggest you not go close to the dog while he is sleeping for some time. Start out a few feet away and as the days go on you can work closer. Also, if you catch him waking up praise him. He will associate you as a positive thing when he wakes up and this will help assist in the problem. No not just avoid going near him all together because allowing him to continue this behavior will only encourage other problems. If he does bark or growl again correct him with a verbal "NO" in a firm loud voice. You will not be able to give a leash correction since he will not be on the leash but a verbal one should scare him enough to make some progress. Do not strike with the hands. This will only lead to fear of touch and possible defense against touch.

Answer 3

This is simple. Do not bother the dog when she is sleeping. Apparently there is some jealousy going on over the kitten. She is already getting bothered by the cat when she is trying to sleep, she doesn't need more pestering by your son, though he does not mean any harm and in fact loves the dog. The dog only knows that once again, someone is getting in her face when she is trying to rest. Just leave her alone when she's sleeping, keep the cat away from her for the time being until they adjust to each other and show your dog a lot of affection and extra attention right now, she may be feeling like she's being replaced and she's getting even with you.

Answer 4

From what you say, I assume she doesn't bite when she's awake? Then, to start, don't get too close when she's asleep. Speak to her so she knows you're there.
It sounds like she got into this habit because the kitten bites her when she's asleep? (Kittens, like many babies, will put anything in their mouths. Adults don't.)
Correct the kitten, don't let it do that. If it does happen, YOU correct the kitten for doing it (yelp at it or squirt it) so the dog knows you are on her side in this. Then show a little sympathy with the dog, but not too much.
To stop the kitten biting her feet, spray them with Bitter Apple or Bitter End or some such product that will taste bad and not annoy the dog. When the kitten finds out they taste bad, it will stop biting them.
Your dog is still young, coming into puberty. Speak to her calmly when you get near her when she's asleep; make sure she hears you. You should be able to get this under control soon, and the cat should stop biting her too.

Answer 5

There's a reason they say 'let sleeping dogs lie'

The dog may have been feeling grouchy and just wanted to be left alone. She may have been sick of other creatures bothering her when she sleeps. Or she may have been startled (dogs can get snappy when they are startled). The growling is her way of saying 'leave me alone' and the bite reinforced that message (not that it is appropriate for dogs to bite people). In her brain the kitten is like a tiny puppy who can pester her and she'll indulge it. But your son is a older 'packmate' who should know better.

Tell your son not to bother her while she's asleep (a good policy with just about any sleeping dog). Unless she makes a habit of this behavior or acts aggressively when she's awake too, I wouldn't worry too much (concerned? yes, but not worried)

Basically, because this has only happened once and assuming that she is an otherwise well behaved dog, I wouldn't panic. If she is aggressive when she's awake too then it's a completely different situation.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

While it's true for the most part that it's not necessary--or adviseable--to disturb dogs while they are sleeping, it's also true that you cannot allow the dog to snap, no matter who or what disturbs her.

We have two deaf dogs; as you can imagine, they sleep very soundly and, when we first brought each of them home, they would startle very easily if you approached them from behind or woke them out of a sound sleep to go outside, eat, etc...

We 'conditioned' our dogs by waking them three or four times during their naps. Not rudely, but just a light tough on the back or hind quarters. Once awake, pet the dog gently, speak softly,even offer a treat if you like. Be careful not to try this too close to their face, or you just might get nipped, but the idea is to desensitize your dog to being startled or grumpy when awakened.

Nipping is not okay, towards the cat and certainly towards your son. You can let the cat and the dog figure it out for themselves, but you should engage your son in the process of desensitizing your dog to sleep interruptions.

Answer 7

one way is to tell your kids to stay away from her while she's sleeping another is to go to a pet store and ask for a non-bitting spray or somrthing like that. my german shepherd was biting her paws all the time for no reason till we got her a non-biting spray from petsmart.

Answer 8

my dog does the same exact thing. i've learned they like to be left alone while slepping

Answer 9

pop her on the nose every time she does that and she should soon stop. when you pop them on the nose it is like showing who is boss.