Snapping/growling in bed

Cathy · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:24 am Post subject: Snapping/growling in bed

Marley likes to cuddle in bed with me before my BF comes to sleep, but the past few nights she has snapped at him when he tries to get her out. She would growl very quietly, and we would tell her no and make her get down, but she has started being aggressive toward him.
At first I thought it might be because she was startled awake, but he made sure to wake her last night. She doesn't do this to me. Is there anything we can do? She can't sleep in the bed with us all night (she refuses to sleep at the end), but I like having her there when I can.
Has anyone else had this problem? She is not protective/aggressive in any other situation. This is the only time she growls, and she has never snapped like this before. She wouldn't care if he just climbed in, she just does not want to get out of bed.

PS: This is not a new situation. We have been doing this since she was big enough to get on the bed.

weimdawgs · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:34 am Post subject:

Marley needs to learn the bed is not hers. Make her get down and if she continues, don't let her on the bed Crying or Very sad

kamfam · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:33 am Post subject:

This was just recently discussed:

http://www.weimaraneraddict.com/discussion/any-other-couples-have-this-problem-vt5558.html

I think it covers how it should be handled. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Beth · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:44 am Post subject:

Daisy once growled at my husband when he went to move her while she was on the sofa. She quickly and abruptly was pushed to the floor and scolded, she hasn't done it since.

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:07 am Post subject:

in our house, growling or snapping at me or my wife isnt an option.
i love my dogs as if they are my children, but i wouldnt let a kid get away with it, and i sure wont let a dog.
im a pretty easy going guy most of the time, but if a dog shows the slightest aggression towards me, i put an end to it immediately - that isnt an option they have in life.

Beth · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:13 am Post subject:

Here here!!!!

Cathy · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:26 am Post subject:

Don't get me wrong-She has never gotten away with it.
She gets scolded every time, corrected, and promptly put in her bed. I will have the BF be more authoritative (he's the biggest alpha-male I could imagine anyway).
And I guess she (and I) might just have to deal a few less cuddles Sad

jamie8dc · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

No I don't think you should cuddle less. One important thing is to not have YOU scold her every time, he should do it at least half of the time. She's trying to move one rung up in the pack's ladder of dominance. She wants to be 2nd member, below you and above him. Just be sure that he lets her know that he's above her in the "pack" by having him scold her and put her in her bed when she does it too. If you do it, it's just confirming to her that he can't handle it and that she's dominant of him.

Just my $.02

Beth · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

I agree

Cathy · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject:

Usually I am asleep and not too involved in the situation to begin with. Like I said, he really does play alpha-male so I don't know why Marley does this. He is way more stern with her than I am, but I also don't let her play rough with me at all. If she starts to, she gets ignored.

She is a total mama's girl though. I do almost everything with her-taking her on walks, to class, to the park, feeding her... but he plays with her for a while every night. I guess maybe she sees him as a friend more than anything. I know that he is not going to suddenly start doing those things, so what can I have him do that will help?

BTW, she gets non-stop cuddles, so she won't be lacking there. Could I be paying too much attention to her?

anne · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

He needs to start taking over some of those things, in particular feeding and obedience. Also she should not be in the bed or furniture at all until she stops this behavior.

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject:

I see it from his point of view.
mom goes to bed at night, i get to go too.
dad shows up, bam, im out.
mom=bed
dad=floor
mom=good
dad=bad
perhaps you should snuggle up a bit with him then stick him where you want him before you go to sleep - then dad isnt the bad guy. he got his snuggles, then set he goes to bed when time comes - cant hate mom for snuggling - can hate dad for splitting the two of you up.
this on top of anne's suggestions for his role in puppy care, etc. may help.

kblakemore · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject:

My husband and i have had a similar problem with our two year old rescue. Luke has never growled at me or snapped at me. My husband is a different story though. If my husband tries to make him do something he doesn't want to do he just growls at him. Luke used to growl at my little dogs when they would get excited and jump around him. I started doing something i heard Anne suggest to someone else. I would push him over and lay on top of him. At that time he was only growling at them around me. Now he thinks I'm at the top and he growls at my husband. Both of you have to work together, both showing dominance. She needs to know you guys are at the top.

Ellinorianne · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject:

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

i think it depends a lot on the situation. there was a conversation on a similiar thread last week - one in which our sage (anne) suggested that the internet is a bad place to get advice on training...
so again, i risk being part of the problem, Confused

...but here i go with what works for me, and my dogs... each owner, and dog is a bit different, so what works for one, may not work for another - you have to know your dog and what works for him/her. this is simply my opinion - it has worked for me - the only aggression Zoe shows is towards dogs that wont leave her alone - ie sniff her girl parts relentlessly. usually a quick snap at them and it is settled - she has not biten another dog, or had to warn one more than twice most often.

first, i have never really had many problems with a dog getting aggressive at the 6-7 month age specifically. i have had dogs act out/try to test me from time to time, but never a consistent, day to day attempt.

when a young pup does something i dont want it to do, i will generally punish it immediately by grabbing the scruff of the neck, pushing it down, and saying no in a firm voice that is loud enough to startle anyone in the room. i then give it a minute to calm down before we go back to playing, etc. the idea that nothing in life is free is important as well... if they start to play too rough with me, or eachother, the toy gets taken and put up - usually on the fireplace or tv, and they get a lecture in the process. i

m not against a bop on the nose/top of the snout if necessary either. at times they need a physical reminder. i have smacked them in the butt, but its just for emphasis, not to do physical harm. i wont do this until a dog is around year old. (i feel like im trying to skate around saying i beat my dog - i dont beat her - i dont need to - my voice alone gets her attention - i have smacked her butt, but like a child, you will put a hand on their butt for emphasis, but you wouldnt dare hurt them). perhaps im old school, but i know what gets my attention.

i think this also stems from activity during the times when they are not misbehaving. i think establishing yourself and their role is something every person needs to be active in. as a kid, i know our dogs always listened to me just as they would my parents. when my niece and nephew come to visit, we give them the treats and have them make Zoe sit, shake, etc. she also understands "easy" to mean she has to take the treat gently with just her front teeth - so they dont have to worry about her nipping them going for a treat. she listens to them very well - and plays fetch with them every time we see them, even if for just a bit.

i think this is long enough for now... if there is something specific i am missing, i can answer to tell you what i try... but like i said i think that a lot depends on your dog - Zoe can handle a bit more stern lectures... Lola hated to be in trouble - you would raise your voice one bit and she would become apologetic it seemed - it was crazy. She would do anything to please. Zoe will too, but she is a bit more hard headed. Sometimes a quick starting command is what it takes with her.