Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

The saying, ‘Let sleeping dogs lie’ means to ignore a problem because trying to deal with it could cause an even more difficult situation. But sayings have to come from somewhere, and the literal meaning of the phrase is also extremely true.

We have had a couple of concerns recently of dogs growling or showing aggressive behaviour in the home - and when we asked for more context, we were informed that the dog was in a resting space, or had just finished a big day. 

In short, the very clear question of ‘Do dogs get grumpy when they’re tired?’ Has a very open and clear answer - absolutely!

Just like people, if your dog has done a lot in a day, if you have put them to their bed to sleep, or they have taken themselves off to somewhere quiet to have a nap, please leave them alone. Dogs need their sleep, and can have less tolerance for being pestered if they are trying to relax - and many dogs actually have what is called a startle response.

A startle response is the jumpiness that occurs if a dog is suddenly disturbed, like a person flinching or lashing out when getting a fright. The vital difference between a person and a dog is that a dog's startle response can involve their teeth - which isn’t their fault because the action can be completely involuntary! Not all dogs startle easily, but some do.
For dogs that have hearing impairments, then they can have a similar startle response if touched without pre-warning - and so it can be even more intense to be woken from sleeping. 

It is extremely important to understand, and explain to others, that dogs need to be left alone when they are asleep. Even more important too, to manage children around resting dogs. They always look so peaceful and cute when dozing, but it doesn’t mean they are there to be cuddled, or laid with. The best option is to make sure the dog has a secure space, like a crate or a separate bedroom, so that they can not be disturbed in any way. These barriers make the boundaries more clear, and provide even more security for your dog.

This doesn’t mean if your dog comes to you when they are tired for a cuddle we don’t reciprocate. It’s about listening to their communication and what they feel like they need. So if they hop up into the bed to be the little spoon to sleep, amazing! If they take themselves off for a bit of space and ‘me-time’, then we need to listen and respect that fully.

This message is short and sweet. Just like we don’t want to be bothered when we are tired, our dogs can feel exactly the same. So let your sleeping dog lie, wherever that may be.

​Authored by Sarah Endres
Dog Trainer and Behaviour Advisor