[Chris Modiano]

Ok, my doggy is a (im going to spell this wrong) lassa apsa/shitzu mix, rescued from the streets at a relatively young age, and he has a weird habit. When ever he's really enjoying being pet, like when you pick him up and put him on your lap, he makes this weird growl/whine sound. It only sounds a little less angry than a growl, and sometimes it does sound like a regular growl. but he doesn't get aggressive, other than a whole lotta licking.

What is this? Is it normal? Please don't tell me he's getting sexual pleasure out of me petting him or something.

[RonE]

My mother's shih tzu does seem to purr when you pet her. I don't think you'd ever mistake it for a growl, though.

Come to think of it, maybe my mother really has a cat and nobody's had the heart to tell her.

Some dogs make noises, bordering on embarrassing, when they feel really good. When I first started using an undercoat rake on my lab, he liked it so much, I had to stop brushing him in public.

People were starting to talk.

Don't worry. Sex for canines is pretty straight-forward stuff. Not many subtle nuances there and absolutely no foreplay.

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by RonE

Not many subtle nuances there and absolutely no foreplay.

Well actually...never mind. There are subtle nuances, but I would not consider lap growling one of them.

[Chris Modiano]

Yeah, he can get pretty damn vocal. It sounds really weird sometimes. I'm not sure if I'd do it in public.

[RonE]

As long as you're absolutely certain he's NOT growling at you.

[Lorina]

Beavis makes very happy grunting noises, especially rolling in the grass on a sunny warm day. Or on the carpet right after eating.

There's happy growling noises, too, when we're playing.