Strange reaction

[overherebc]

Evrytime I shampoo my dog, she's Thai something breed, she starts growing, snarling and sounding downright nasty but never makes any other moves.

She has done this all her life and it always seems directed away from me. She will turn her head and lick my hand then face away and start the growling again.

She will always follow me when I pick up the shampoo and stand still while getting washed, waits until rinsed then goes into waggie tail happy dance mode.

The growling snarling I just ignore, have done for years but I don't understand it.

[overherebc]

No one out there got any idea why she might do this?

[chrisinth]

Just guessing here but the response from your dog is probably brought on by either social or fear based aggression.

 

Even a dog who normally acts calmly while around you can act aggressive and growl, if he perceives that you are threatening her. Washing her is the trigger, basically she hasn't been able to get used used to the sensation.

 

As she is showing affection through licking your hand while getting her bath as opposed to biting you, i don't think there is much of a problem. That said, i would be a bit cautious if someone else were to bathe her.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, chrisinth said:

Just guessing here but the response from your dog is probably brought on by either social or fear based aggression.

 

Even a dog who normally acts calmly while around you can act aggressive and growl, if he perceives that you are threatening her. Washing her is the trigger, basically she hasn't been able to get used used to the sensation.

 

As she is showing affection through licking your hand while getting her bath as opposed to biting you, i don't think there is much of a problem. That said, i would be a bit cautious if someone else were to bathe her.

 

She's had a shampoo usually every two or three weeks since she was a pup and it's always been the same. Even if I stick my face close to hers I get a quick lick on the end of my nose, a tail wag then it's back to the growling snarling.

In 7 years she has never shown anything but affection to me and SWMBO but she has no time in anyway for anyone else.

She has no interest in going outside, we've got a good sized garden and she defends it's borders but leaves outside that area alone.

Re your comment on someone else giving her a wash that is a 100% no-no.

By the the way we both love her as much as she loves us.