Bedtime aggression
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This is a form of the dreaded 'resource guarding'. The dog is saying don't mess with my space, regardless of being awake or asleep. The problem with saying 'oh, well, it is instinct' is that it can be behavior that escalates to not just growling, but muzzle punching, and then snapping, and then lauching off the couch or whatever piece of furniture dog is on.
I can't and don't tolerate that behavior in bed. It disrupts everyone's sleep, and if you have multiple dogs in bed, it can erupt into a fight…not very good sleeping conditions. Depending on the dog, I might just say 'knock it off' and toss them out of bed...but some dogs with resource guarding issues are likely to take that as a threat escalation, and respond even more inappropriately. At the very least the offending dog should be not allowed to sleep in the bed for the rest of the night.
If it is just an occasional..'grr, you startled me' or the dog was dreaming, or whatever, that is not the same as a recurring pattern of 'waking up badly'.
If this is happening while the human is awake...a really easy way to retrain is to be armed with some treats; when dog is sleeping on your lap, start waving the treat in front of nose, and quietly saying her name. When she awakes toss treat off lap. Basically you condition the dog to jump off lap/couch/whatever and receive reward when they wake, rather than waking up defensive.
Exactly Andrea… I agree totally... I have "dumped" one or more of mine on the floor for being a "jackass" in the bed... like you I can't and will NOT accept that behavior in the bed... I have been in the situation that a fight started under the covers... and I got the worst of it... and as Andrea points out, it is not acceptable the say "oh that is instinct therefore OK..."
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When you have a dog that has been abused and has had his tail ripped off, you learn to accomodate a little snarkiness from time to time, expecially in the wake of several people bites and as many dog fights caused by a dog with obvious fear issues. If I were to lock him out of the room, it would only lead to other issues so I deal with it, especially since it's only happened that one time and he's slept in my bed with me rolling around and bumping into him for about 450 days now. ;)
I can understand that you feel this is a small concession to make for the rough life that Tucker had. And like I said, one time does not a problem make (I am feeling Yoda-ish today). But although the temptation is strong to make excuses for poor behavior in rescue dogs, IMO, they should be held to the same standards as other pets. As an owner of a rescue, someone may have to work harder, or longer to get the the same place as the owner of a pampered, trained dog from puppyhood…but the expectation of good behavior should be the same, regardless of prior history.
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@WBL:
Well Tig is still young but I pester him when he sleeps by just waking him up and moving him so doesn't get grouchy is suddenly woken up. All he does is grumble, but he grumbles at everything, lol
Yes, exactly…you can inoculate a young puppy against adopting this grouchy waking behavior by gently moving, petting, waking, pestering them when they sleep, so they realize it is no big deal to be touched while you are sleeping. I also happy talk them while I touch and pester...makes them think it is fun to be woken up ;)
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@WBL:
Well Tig is still young but I pester him when he sleeps by just waking him up and moving him so doesn't get grouchy is suddenly woken up. All he does is grumble, but he grumbles at everything, lol
Yup that is the way to do it… and when I have a litter, I do the same from the first day they are born... they are very used to being picked up, moved, pushed... etc...
I also agree with Andrea that while a rescue has a whole different set of "issues".. they should not be held to any less of a standand then puppies raised by responsible breeders (and that goes for puppies from pet stores and/or Back Yard Breeders).....
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I meant to add that Reggie helps with this also, because Tiggy sleeps on Reggie all the time, Reggie will get to warm or just move to a more comfortable position so Tiggy get moved/wiggled/squished and all a lot.
And what does he do, curls back up and goes back to sleep. LOL
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Any snarking in bed get's them the boot.;)
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Actually I think EL D is just waking up unexpectedly and not defending territory. I have made it a point now to touch him whenever he's sleeping so that he gets more used to my hands on his head or rump. I've had no problems recently so hope this stays this way.
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Actually I think EL D is just waking up unexpectedly and not defending territory. I have made it a point now to touch him whenever he's sleeping so that he gets more used to my hands on his head or rump. I've had no problems recently so hope this stays this way.
That is good to hear, but remember… don't try and make excuses for them... if the behavior is not acceptable... then work to correct it.... period... no different then children... you hear people all the time making excuses for behavior... or things they have done... "oh its not that bad"... "oh it was only once"......
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Sahara never gets grumpy when she has to move or I move her myself. When she was a puppy I always tried to get her use to being moved, and I just couldn't keep my hands off of her when she was sleeping. Just like a sweet little baby, I just had to sweet talk her and rub her, she looked so sweet and lovable. I still have a had time leaving her alone, hubby too when she is sleeping. She is great, when she is sleeping in my lap and I have to get up, I just say, "Sahara, Mommy has to get up". She immediately gets up and moves and goes to lay down in her bed or in the guest room where it is usually nice and dark (no lights on). I read on here when she was a puppy to get her use to being moved when she was sleeping and I thank this forum for that. I took the advice and Sahara is all the good for that. She still growls and puts my wrist in her mouth when I get in my car, she hates to see me leave. I am still working on this behavior, hope the water bottle stops it for good.:D
