My BT growls & snaps whilst being moved when sleepy

by Tom & Ziville
(England)


Hello my BT (Bentley) is 14 weeks old and apart from the usual puppy behaviour, he is very good. However when he is sleepy and we attempt to move him to his bed, he growls and eventually snaps or tries to bite. Shortly after he is then back to a calm state.

I am aware that i (the owner0 should show that i am the leader therefore i try to show him that by growling he doesnt get his own way but i would realy appreciate if anyone has nay advice?

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My BT growls & snaps whilst being moved when sleepy

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Apr 05, 2013
 My Boston Growls - Talks Back
by: Bosley'sMommy

I actually believe it's a common trait in Bostons. My Boston, Bosley, is 8, and he has different forms of growling...I call it talking back. I know that I shouldn't allow it, but sometimes it is kind of cute. He can growl if being moved when he's sleepy, or if he's scolded. If he's scolded and sent to his cage, he obeys but makes growling noises the whole time he's headed there. Lol. He's not an aggressive or hyper dog at all though, so I feel that maybe it's just that he is vocalizing his little BT opinion. lol.
Aug 30, 2012
 I understand
by: Helen

My BT is 9 months old now, and she did the same thing when she was younger but I broke her of it really fast. She was very quick to learn that nipping was wrong and hurt my feelings. She's a very affectionate dog, so when I scolded her, acted sad and ignored her for a while, she stopped. However, if I move her while sleeping she still growls ferociously!! It kind of freaks me out but I continue to scold her so that she knows that it's wrong to do that to me.
Jun 25, 2012
 BT growls & snaps while moved when sleeping
by: Anonymous

My boston does the same thing, but she's 8 years old. It's not because she's pregnant. We had her fixed when she was still a puppy. I'm not sure if this is out of age or what to do. She just just started doing it within the last month or so. We scold her for it and she doesn't get attention for a few minutes. She can't keep going on like this.
Jan 12, 2012
 sleepy
by: Linda Galway/TurnerME

I'm sure I don't react well when someone wakes me from a comfortable sleep. I'm not sure how you're approaching him, but I would definitely do it slowing, rubbing him first, then talking, just like you would wake a sleeping baby. Then tell him what you're doing. "Go bed, go upstairs, go potty," whatever it is. Then say something like "Let's go!" Don't bother about trying to keep him asleep when you move him, he'll drift off again. I don't see why he would react badly if awakened this way. IF after all this he still snaps, I would definitely reprimand him sharply, not hitting, but verbally.

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