Why Is My Dog Growling at Me if He’s Moved When Sleeping?

Have you ever tried to move your dog when he’s sleeping and he growls at you unexpectedly?

Dog owners often worry that their dog is showing signs of aggression if he growls at them.

But here’s the good news: growling is a valuable form of communication.

Growling is an important vocal warning and is the dog’s way of letting you know he’s uncomfortable with the situation. It’s nothing to do with “dominance” or a perceived “lack of respect.”

In this article, I’ll explore some of the most common reasons why dogs might growl, so that you can better understand your pet’s behavior and help him feel more comfortable around you.

Spoiler alert: there’s a reason for the wise old expression to let a sleeping dog lie!

What is your dog saying when he growls?

It can be confusing and even upsetting when your dog growls at you for seemingly no reason. You may feel like you’re doing something wrong, or that your dog is showing aggressive behavior towards you and you don’t understand why.

Dogs will often growl when they’re uncomfortable or feeling threatened in some way. It’s actually a crucial part of canine communication that tells you (or another dog) something along the lines of, “I don’t like this,” “I feel uncomfortable or threatened,” or “You are too close, please back off.”

Put yourself in your dog’s position and think for a moment. How would you like it if you were all warm and cozy in a deep sleep and someone came along and suddenly tried to move you?

You might lash out instinctively to try to protect yourself from the unknown and unexpected threat, or you may bark out a few choice expletives to tell them to get out of your space and leave you alone.

Why does my dog growl?

There are several reasons why your dog might growl if you try to move him while he’s sleeping. Whatever this may be, it’s important to understand that your dog is trying to communicate with you and that you should take his growling seriously.

Let’s now look more closely at some of the reasons this happens:

Reason #1: Your dog is startled

Dogs may growl when they’re moved while sleeping because they’re startled.

Dogs are very good at reading our body language and can usually tell when we’re about to do something. But obviously this isn’t possible if they’re asleep and can’t hear you! And sometimes we move too quickly for them to process what’s happening. This can lead to a reflex startle response because the dog’s brain hasn’t had a chance to process the fact that he’s not actually in any danger.

The best way to avoid startling your dog is to move slowly and calmly around him, speaking in a soft, reassuring voice as you do so. This will give him time to process what’s happening and won’t trigger his startle reflex.

Reason #2: Sleep aggression

Another common reason for sleep-related growling is what’s known as sleep aggression.

This can sometimes happen when dogs are woken up from a deep sleep. It’s not something that all dogs do, but it’s not unheard of either. So the dog, feeling threatened, responds accordingly to ensure his survival, because “emotions such as fear and aggression evolved as adaptive responses to real challenges.” (Westlund, 2022).

The best way to deal with sleep aggression is to simply avoid waking your dog up from a deep sleep.

Reason # 3: Stress or fear

Sometimes, dogs may growl when they’re moved while sleeping because they’re feeling stressed or afraid.

This may be the case if your dog has had a bad experience in the past (such as being woken up roughly by someone, or being attacked when he was asleep), or if he’s generally anxious about life in general.

If you think this might be the reason why your dog is growling, it’s important to speak to a qualified behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist who can help you work out a plan to reduce your dog’s stress levels and build his confidence.

Reason #4: The dog is comfy, warm, safe, and cozy…or just really tired

Sometimes, dogs growl when they’re moved while sleeping because they’re just really comfortable and don’t want to be disturbed.

Or they may be exhausted and just don’t want the hassle.

Reason #5: The dog is in a deep sleep, or dreaming

Dogs, like humans, go through different stages of sleep. The first stage is light sleep, followed by a deeper sleep, and then REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

It’s during the deepest stage of the sleep cycle that dogs are most likely to growl if they’re moved. This is because they’re less aware of their surroundings and may not realize that you’re trying to move them. They may also be in the middle of a bad dream.

The best way to deal with this is to simply let your dog continue sleeping and not bother him.

Reason #6: Pain or discomfort

Sometimes, dogs may growl if you move them when they’re sleeping because they’re in pain or discomfort.

This is especially likely to happen if your dog is older and starting to experience joint pain or other health problems. Or there may be some other underlying issue you’re not aware of. If you think this might be the case, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian so they can rule out any medical causes.

Reason #7: Medical condition

Some medical conditions can cause dogs to growl when moved while sleeping.

For example, seizures can sometimes happen during sleep and may cause your dog to growl or even bite. Again it’s important to speak to your veterinarian to make sure your dog gets the treatment he needs for any medical issues.

Reason #8: Resource Guarding

Dogs may guard their sleeping area as a way of protecting it from potential threats. This is known as resource guarding.

Resource guarding is a very common dog behavior and can occur if someone tries to take something away from them (or gets too close to) that they value highly, such as food, a toy, or a chewy.

Dogs can also guard areas that are valuable to them (such as their bed, resting area, or front yard) and individuals they care about, such as their owners, family members, or other household pets.

If your dog gives you a hard, direct stare or starts growling at you if you try to move him while he’s sleeping, or when you get too close to wherever he’s sleeping, it’s important to pay attention to what he’s trying to tell you.

Ignoring his polite warnings could lead to bigger problems down the road and make him try harder to get his message across. So it’s much better to listen to what he has to say in the first place.

Reason #9: Invading his safe zone

Dogs often have areas that they consider to be their safe zone. This is an area where they feel comfortable and safe, and where they can relax without feeling threatened.

For some dogs, their own bed or their sleeping area is their personal space and their very own safe haven. So if you try to move them while they’re sleeping in their favorite particular spot, it’s not surprising that they might growl at you. It does not mean they are aggressive dogs.

It’s important to respect your dog’s safe zone and not invade it without his permission.

What you need to know about growling

Most of the time, growling is a dog’s way of telling you that he’s unsure of a situation or that he doesn’t want to do something for some reason. He’s giving you valuable information.

So if your dog growls at you when you try to move him while he’s sleeping, it’s important to take notice. “A growl is a gift, and we should treasure it,” says animal behavior expert Dr. Karolina Westlund.

Indeed, while people may think their dog is putting on an aggressive display, in fact, growling is his way of letting you know he’s worried about something. So pay attention!

The more you understand what your dog is telling you, the more he will feel safe and able to trust you, ultimately leading to a deeper bond and collaboration as a team.

What should I do when my dog growls?

Personally, I would avoid the situation altogether by simply waiting till your dog wakes up. Meanwhile, let him enjoy his sweet dreams and sleep in peace.

If you really do need to move him (say from the couch to his dog bed, or another room, or even in the middle of the night for some reason), wake him up quietly and calmly so you don’t startle him.

I would start by calling his name or, if he’s a really deep sleeper or hard of hearing (especially if he’s an older dog), gently tap the area a few inches in front of his nose till he stirs. (But don’t do this if you know he guards his sleeping area, just to be safe).

Wait for him to fully wake up and adjust. Reassure him and talk to him in a calm, quiet manner. He may be happy enough to come to you and move to wherever you want him to go.

You can also lure him with some tasty treats, either by laying a trail on the ground or delivering them by hand if you feel safe to do so. Once you get to your destination, reward him with a favorite toy (aka positive reinforcement) or scatter some treats around for him to seek out by sniffing.

Sniffing lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, helping your dog stay relaxed. Plus the dog will also have a more positive association throughout because good things are happening even though he was disturbed from his lovely sleep.

Congratulations! You’ve changed your stressed, growling dog back into the sweet, happy pup you know and love.

Again, if your dog does growl at you, respect and acknowledge his communication. Back off a little, give him some space, and wait for him to calm down. Try luring him with treats as just explained. If he’s really fearful or agitated it may be best to retreat and try again a little later.

Should I punish my dog when he growls?

In a word, no, you would not punish your dog for trying to communicate with you.

You should never try to physically discipline or punish your dog in any way – whether he’s growling or whatever else he’s doing – as this could escalate the situation and make him even more fearful or defensive.

If you do punish him for growling, next time he may not bother to warn you at all because he’ll have learned that his efforts to communicate didn’t work the first time.

You really don’t want that to happen because then you have a potentially unpredictable dog who may feel that he has no option but to go straight to lunging, barking, or even a bite to avoid the perceived threat.

It’s far preferable – and humane – to try to understand why your dog is growling and to address the underlying cause of the problem. If you can do this, you’ll help your dog feel more secure and less likely to growl in the future.

How can I stop my dog from growling?

The best way to stop your dog from growling is to avoid trying to move him at all when he’s sleeping. Be aware that dogs need a lot of sleep and respect your pup’s sleeping space the same way you’d like yours to be.

If he does growl at you, respect his communication and work with him to make him feel less stressed. And ask yourself whether you really need to move him when he’s asleep.

Final thoughts

Dogs are important members of the family, and by understanding your dog’s feelings and being able to recognize both his obvious and more subtle signs of discomfort, you’ll be much more likely to avoid stressful situations where your dog feels the need to growl.

And that will help create a stronger bond between you both, build trust, and lead to a calmer, happier dog overall.

NEED A DOG TRAINER OR BEHAVIOR EXPERT?

If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a force-free dog trainer who can consult with you either in person or remotely.

GOOD PLACES TO START ARE:
- COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers
- Pet Dog Trainers of Europe
- International Companion Animal Network
- Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
- Pet Professional Guild 

All dog owners deserve to have successful relationships with their canine companions!

Resources

• At the Heart of the Walk – Christina and Aurélien Budzinski
• Change moods to change behaviour [Video File] – Dr. Karolina Westlund (from the Resolving Challenging Behaviour Masterclass), Illis Animal Behavior Courses
• Dog Growling is a Good Thing! – Pat Miller