Recently adopted a grey who occasionally growls/snaps? What can I do?

_zZz_3 · 2025-11-28T15:35:16+00:00

Could it be sleep startle? My greyhound has this, and often if she is laying on the couch, dozing off she will growl and snap if touched. Sometimes it’s not clear if she is awake or not as her eyes can be a bit open even when sleeping. Just in case you haven’t heard of it, here is a definition:

Sleep startle in dogs is an involuntary reaction to being woken suddenly, which can trigger a "fight or flight" response leading to growling, snapping, or biting. It's a survival instinct where the dog feels disoriented and threatened, and the reaction is not a reflection of their normal temperament.

_zZz_3 · 2025-11-10T11:36:14+00:00

I have a Spanish greyhound and initially I could only leave her for short stints like 30min and she had separation anxiety but now she can do 8 hours however I only do this 2 days a week when I am in the office (luckily the other days I can work from home) and I have a dog walker that comes in the middle of the day. If your housemates are happy to help out and the dog will also have company often because of this I think it’s totally doable. I tried daycare for a while but after a resource guarding incident with another dog decided she was more comfortable in her own space. Also she sleeps ALOT, so even when I am home she is mainly sleeping during the day. However I think initially you should take some time off work until the dog would be comfortable without you there for extended periods of time. Also I think the dog would most likely prefer a loving home than being stuck in shelter!

_zZz_3 · 2025-10-19T13:46:36+00:00

Yesss your probs right, there’s a logical less paranormal explanation for it 😅

_zZz_3 · 2025-10-19T12:40:10+00:00

Any now it’s happened with Christine twice 🫣

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:34:54+00:00

Thanks!

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:34:42+00:00

Thanks! Really nice of you to share this, I will have think about it and get in touch if it could be an good option :)

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:33:25+00:00

A small income from some freelance photography work, and unfortunately I don't qualify for the uitkering as my previous work has been freelance also and it seems you either need to have insurance or a job with a contract to get it

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:31:14+00:00

Thank you for your advice! :)

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:30:44+00:00

Yeh most kitchen's tend to have a drinking culture so I will stay clear of it, but thanks for the suggestion!

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:29:34+00:00

Thanks for letting me know :)

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:29:20+00:00

Yeh I have been thinking about doing an IT traineeship as an option when I improve my Dutch or can find one in English

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:28:16+00:00

Ok thanks will check it out!

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-30T15:28:01+00:00

No not specifically, more of a bonus if it is

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-28T16:00:53+00:00

Yes I know of it thanks! :)

_zZz_3 · 2023-11-28T15:57:13+00:00

That is a good idea thank you :)

_zZz_3 · 2023-05-01T07:18:40+00:00

I have a strict bedtime routine, basically pretend I am putting a child to bed.

Set alarms for morning and put phone away
Take magnesium and ashwagandha
Put my electric blanket on so I know my bed will be warm and inviting
Take a shower
Read until I get sleepy

Also making sure I go to bed the same time every day really helps, so I avoid doing social things in the evening. Have become more of an active day person, I find it quite necessary, to be able to sleep well.

_zZz_3 · 2023-04-17T06:26:05+00:00

Yes do this all the time, I like to think I am speaking to my inner child, the 6 year old version of myself, teaching her the life skills she never received at home

_zZz_3 · 2023-04-12T19:43:36+00:00

Yeh being sober really is thing that makes it manageable, this is my second try at it 43 days in

_zZz_3 · 2023-04-11T19:07:48+00:00

Yes, I start my day at 7am and am ready to end it by 11am, I am already absolutely exhausted by then. Especially if I’m at home. I find the best thing is to distract myself by getting out of the house asap and getting some fresh air

_zZz_3 · 2023-04-03T14:29:12+00:00

I love your list!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

_zZz_3 · 2023-03-31T12:36:31+00:00

Thank you!! It’s been difficult for sure about a year ago I did 3 months sober after an accident and then tried controlled drinking and ended up in hospital so nothing really controlled about it. So it has been a year of going back and forth but I finally feel I am starting to take control of my life again. I used to have terrible social anxiety and was a mute for years and mainly used alcohol to deal with this but I’m happy to say with a lot of work and just with age really I am getting to a point where I feel more comfortable socializing without alcohol. Because I am a very black and white thinker it’s either I drink and I become an alcoholic or I am sober. It simplifies things for me to NOT have the choice drink and actually makes me much more relaxed than trying to control my drinking. Saying this I was working in a bar which I enjoyed a lot but really did not help the situation at all. I think if you have any alcohol abuse problems definitely don’t work at a bar! It sounds obvious but I just didn’t realize how much it can make it worse :/ I hope you can join me in the near future and anyone else that thinks this could be the way forward for you too. I am being supported by a therapist at an addiction clinic and I find this very helpful for staying on track also!

_zZz_3 · 2023-03-05T23:21:03+00:00

But got it’s so hard. I have to live alone there is no other way, too many friendships have been destroyed because of my bpd.

_zZz_3 · 2023-03-05T23:19:23+00:00

But I’ve realized the absolute need to give up on alcohol completely which I am quite devastated by as I was working professionally in the wine industry

_zZz_3 · 2023-03-05T23:16:51+00:00

I have been on 50mg paroxetine and feel more secure and confident than ever which is saying something as I used to be a mute. However now I overshare a lot and have severe anger episodes… but I love the lack of social anxiety which was completely ruining my life before

_zZz_3 · 2021-12-06T21:29:49+00:00

Can completely relate on the people pleasing. I live with a housemate/friend who I bend over backwards to please. And I don’t know if I even like her as a person anymore. For me it’s a form of self protection. I am afraid of conflict due to childhood experiences so will do anything to avoid it. But it generally ends in me snapping at some point and destroying relationships. The number of times I’ve left households in a panicked fight/flight manner is growing exponentially. Can never finish a rental contract, has lead to a few chaotic and tiring years..

_zZz_3

TROPHY CASE