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Approaching a sleeping dog can startle and upset the animal, experts say, and reading a dog’s body language and respecting its space preserves trust. Coverage from Petmd has highlighted this story.

Two veterinary behaviorists and a dog trainer told HuffPost that what seems like an innocent touch can be distressing for dogs and that owners should treat dozing animals with the same courtesy they would give a person. Their comments draw attention to everyday interactions that shape the human–dog bond.

“They hate it! It’s not fair,” said Margaret M. Duxbury, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, capturing the blunt reaction some dogs show when woken by a hand or a sudden approach. Her remark frames the emotional impact experts say owners should consider before reaching toward a sleeping pet.

Dog trainer Nicole Skeehan, owner of Philly Unleashed, asked a question aimed at owners’ expectations: “If we can understand this reaction in human terms, why are we surprised when our dogs react the same way?” Skeehan’s comment points to the gap between human impulse to touch and an animal’s preference for uninvited contact.

Veterinary behavior specialist Valli Parthasarathy, co-founder of Synergy Veterinary Behavior in Portland, Oregon, said physical sensitivity can intensify a negative reaction. “A dog with arthritis in the hips may be more sensitive to being touched in that area,” she said, noting that underlying pain changes how a dog experiences sudden contact.

Experts also stress that letting the dog choose whether to engage preserves voluntary social interaction. As Catherine Falls put it, “This lets them decide whether they’re in the mood for interaction.” That approach, they say, supports clear, reciprocal communication between people and their pets.

The conversation about how to approach a sleeping dog intersects with broader guidance about where and how dogs rest. Resources such as PetMD discuss reasons dogs seek physical closeness during rest and when such behavior might indicate a problem. These sources provide additional background on canine rest and human–pet routines.

Taken together, the experts’ statements underline a simple principle: touch can have different meaning for dogs than it does for people. Duxbury summarized the potential upside when owners pay attention: “It’s amazing how much closer our relationships become when dogs have this open line of reciprocal communication.”

Owners and handlers are encouraged to notice signs of discomfort and to offer space when a dog is sleeping, letting the animal initiate contact when it wishes. That pattern, the specialists say, reduces the likelihood of startling a dog and supports a relationship built on predictable, respectful interaction.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.

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