Anyone know anything about dogs?? Longish
Advanced Warning: I feel really lame even posting this....
I love my little Howie Bean, I've had him for almost a year and he's my baby. Well ever since DH and I moved in together about a month and a half ago, Howie has been so grumpy! Not all the time, but occassionally he will growl at DH or anyone who tries to give me attention, i.e. If DH and I are sitting on the couch and we are trying to cuddle without Howie, Howie will growl!
Well tonight we were all three sitting together and I was petting Howie and DH was nuzzling his face making funny noises (wow, that sounds so lame typed out) and Howie snapped at DH! I know DH getting so close to his face probably provoked him but I thought he was going to bite him! I immediately spanked him and locked him in his cage but I'm so sad. Idk what has gotten into him and if he bit someone, IDK what I would do.
Any advice? Words of wisdom?? Anything I can do outside of training (my lack of a job prohibits my ability to afford a trainer at this moment)? TIA!
And um, I swear that's not my floral bedspread... 
Re: Anyone know anything about dogs?? Longish
I wouldn't spank him, just redirect with a firm no. Sounds like the poor little guy is confused. He's not the king of the roost now that there is another male in the house 24/7, he has to compete for affection, and your DH nuzzling his face may have come across as a dominance play.
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Thanks guys that makes me feel a little better, I definitely think yall could be right. Maybe I do need to have them spend more time together without me, H just hates it because when I'm not home Howie cries. So sad. I really hope it gets better, I don't want him to hurt anyone.
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[QUOTE]Anna, Howie has a lot of toys and H plays with him a lot. Maybe I can get H to throw a ball around for him in a field by our house while I'm gone. Do you think that might help??
Posted by JennaV26[/QUOTE]
i would think it could allow them to bond a bit more. Either way, couldn't hurt.
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He's attempting to assert his dominance over your DH. This is an issue that will only escalate without proper training, and one day he will bite.
Does he sleep in bed with you? If so, that's probably a practice that should stop. Also, I wouldn't snuggle with your husband and the dog at the same time. If you and DH are going to have some loving time, Howie should be put down, or out of the room, so that he's not in a position to attack.
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[QUOTE]Does he only show agression towards DH when the two of you are together, or is it all the time? If its only when the two of you are together, then this problem will not be fixed by having your DH spend more time with him, since he's fine with DH when you're not around. He's attempting to assert his dominance over your DH. This is an issue that will only escalate without proper training, and one day he will bite. Does he sleep in bed with you? If so, that's probably a practice that should stop. Also, I wouldn't snuggle with your husband and the dog at the same time. If you and DH are going to have some loving time, Howie should be put down, or out of the room, so that he's not in a position to attack.
Posted by tidetravel[/QUOTE]
He's only aggressive when we're all three together and he's not getting any attention. No he doesn't sleep with us, he sleeps in his crate at night. Maybe I'll try to keep Howie out of cuddle time from now on. I really just have never seen a dog that needs as much attention as this one does!
And Mica, yes he's fixed. I'll google those books and check them out!
Total dominance issue....
Also if you and DH are together and he wants up and gets the 'tude...he can chill on his dog bed or on the floor....
DH should spend more time with him as well so he sees the DH as a giver of all things good...ie DH should feed him, give him treats, work on some training things with him - helps the bond.
If you are the one doing the walks, playtime, food, treats then you are #1 and his loyality will be with you....if DH takes this role not that your pooch will kick you to the curb but it may help some of the dominance issues.
Don't say "that's ok" with your pooch growling or being fussy...that encourages the behavior.
If you punish him or correct him - don't follow up immediately with a pet or pat...he needs to know that the behavior is not acceptable and it should get better in time.
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Puppy is jealous. He needs to start associating DH with good things rather than taking away your attention. DH needs to start being the ONLY person to feed him, give him treats, and maybe take him on walks.
Also, spanking is not a good way to deal with aggression. DH should never get in a dog's face, any dog. It's just not a good way to interact. The dog will find it very threatening, and he was sending a message that he needed space. I think that aggression breeds aggresion, and spanking is aggression.
It would be more effective if you ignored him after bad behaviors. Puppy wants your attention and approval, and not recieving that will help him understand really quickly what is and it not acceptable.
And DH already feeds him so maybe I need to let him handle all of that.
There have been many episodes of "It's Me or the Dog" by Victoria Stillwell that involve this sort of behavior (usually a small dog being possessive/guarding one owner). I highly suggest you watch this show or look up her stuff online.
Physical punishment is not a good idea, as was already said.
And ditto to your H becoming a caregiver for your pup.
Is he a Bichon? I have one too
Does your local shelter have a behaviorist? Mine has a hotline you can call to get advice from the behaviorist, and he or she should have good tips on how to deal with this issue.
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