my naughty dog

[Lollybo]

I have a male Bedlington Teerrier aged 20months

He can be delightful - especially when its just him and me.

However at other times he tend to be protective - he make a fuss when I go up the stairs - if he thinks im going into the childrens bedroom - if i want to go into the lounge. He growls and snaps if i move my legs during the night - even though if im awake I send him down - I dont encourage him into my bedroom. I let him sleep there because he doesnt have the chance to make a fuss in the morning when I first get up - its the lesser of two evils.

This morning however he reversed his ways when my daughter came to my bed - he growled and barked at her.

Do you think it is a case that he is just a naughty dog - or is it in the breed.

[clair3934]

You might like to try reading Jan Fennell the dog listener it may help you to understand your dog and get him to stop, he probably thinks he is the top dog and that you are his baby so he is trying to look after you but you can't let him carry on. She also has a DVD and a website www.janfennellthedoglistener.com take a look its brilliant you can get her book on ebay. good luck hope that helps :-)

[Snappy]

I think you need to get him out of the bedroom for a start! Maybe a bit of time apart is what he needs. Get a baby gate so he can see you but cant get near you, he needs to realise your the one in control and you can look after yourself!

Please have a look at our website http://www.doggydayscreche.co.uk
Thanx!

[woofgang]

This young man needs to understand who the boss is! Suggest thsat you take hime to training classes and teach him general basic obedience. He has to learn his place in the family pecking order (at the bottom) and quickly before he hurts someone.

He isn't being naughty, he doesn't understand that what he is doing is wrong because you have not taught him that it is wrong and have probably even taught him that his instinct is right by allowing it.

We have always allowed our dogs to sleep in our bedroom. As puppies it makes the housetraining easier and when we first had a dog we lived in a bit of a dodgy area and my husband was away a lot so I wantede the protection....no point facing the burglar on your own because the dog is shut in the kitchen. BUT if you allow a dog that privelege, the dog has to understand what the rules are and that is DEFFO no growling or challenging family members.

I look forward to drgnrdrs take on this!

[Lollybo]

Thanks for your replies -I let the dog sleep in the bedroom because I am by myself. His main problem is allowing anyone into my daughters room and allowing access to the upstairs at bedtime. I also think that if he is in the bedroom he cant perform first thing in the morning and wake the whole house up.

I understand the topdog theory and if it wasnt for these two acts I wouldnt have a complaint about him because in most cases he does seem to understand whose boss. Thanks again

[drgnrdr]

Oh yes he understands who is boss, HIM.. When a stable dog is Alpha, most of the time they are very fair and benevolent, but if they feel threatened to their status in any way, they make their presence known, They say who, what and where and who goes where and what goes when. Him being on your bed and snapping at your daughter is not OKAY, snapping at you is not OKAY. Sleeping IN your bedroom is fine, but in his own area, on the FLOOR or in a crate.You need to neuter him if he is not done yet, unles you plan to SHOW him for conformation. You need to practice Nothing in Life is Free http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/nilif.pdf and get to a TRAINER to help you with this.

Everyone has good advice please heed it, the growl can turn into a bite and your daughter doesn't need that. Stop this behavior before it gets worse or is to late.

And to prove my point: You have catered to him when you say, he is waking everyone else up, that's the bosses job. Hope you get my point...And welcome to AB...We are not harsh or try not to be, we are just looking out for your families welfare.

[drgnrdr]

Woofgang you used the "p" word, I explained it better?See me at Orangedog forum. Sorry for the small interuption, carry on.

[Lollybo]

I put him to bed in the kitchen last night, I left him there while I was at work today.

I thought I would start with not allowing him to go upstairs.

He barked a little last night, but not to much.

Will have to see how he behaves.

[drgnrdr]

Getting a dog to come off his high perch is difficult no ones like to be demoted. Read the NILIF article and use it, and keep it up, be persistent, more than him, and be consistent. Good Luck

[Lollybo]

Hi, Thans toeveryone who sent me advice re my beddy.

I have tried the NILF approach and can see a huge improvement in him already - I do not kid myself that everything is sorted - but so far so good.

He is sleeping in the kitchen and spends his alone time in there. He isnt allowed uo the stairs and seems so much calmer and nicer. Im keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again Lolly