[Quesoart]

Well we finally did it. We let Brie on the bed while we watched TV last night. She loved it until it was time to go into her crate. As she was sound asleep, we called to her to wake her up, rather than just picking her up. She sat up and when I went to put her in her crate she gave me this awful growl and then she snapped at me /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif . Ron was able to get a firm hold on her and she continued to give out with this really mean growl. He put her in her crate and then we just sat and looked at each other. This is very upsetting, because we can take her food, toys even her bones away from her and she never growls or tries to bite. Now I am afraid to let her back up on the bed and I don't know what to do.
Has anyone else had this happen and if so, how do we handle this?

Lora&Tippi and now a very grouchy Brie /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif

 

[BookerMoose]

The ONLY time any of our three have ever growled at us is when we have tried to move them while on the bed. And interestingly enough, all three have done this - and in each case early on after we adopted them. Obviously it took us aback each time, but we tried to make it VERY clear that the behaviour was wholly unacceptable and would not be tolerated. I believe Booker and Moose each tried it once and only once - Popcorn may have made two or three attempts before she realized it was NOT an option. And none have every growled at us beyond those first few attempt(s) - and never in any other circumstances.

 

[Murphys Dad]

There is a reason for the old adage. “Let sleeping dogs lie” /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif I sorry to say I’ve never had a dog that growled at me, the most the Bagel does is moan and complain when I move him. I’m not sure what to do but I’m sure what you did was a very good step. Putting her in her crate, clearly demonstrating that such antics will not be tolerated is a heck of a good first step. From what you’ve told us of Brie, she was trying something new, probably because she felt her status had been elevated by being allowed on the bed with the “big dogs” and not sure what her role and responsibilities were. I’d wait a couple weeks, then invite her back on the bed but making in clear the invite was extended on your terms, not hers. That means Brie gets to learn the command ‘OFF.’ I think I would have responded with a ‘nose hug’ and stern “NO GROWL/” Brie is a bright dog, she will learn quickly!

 

[Murphys Dad]

I agree, Bob has a point there. She was confused by the new status... Just be firm in putting her in place. She'll understand in no time.
What ever happens, never allow her to growl at you :nono5: !

 

[madison069]

As long as you make it clear that Growling at you is not tolerated i think you are on a good path.

 

[ktoke]

This is a perfect sign of aggression..by letting her on the bed she got confused about her place in the pack and thought that she is higher in the pack...

my best advice would be to not let her on the bed or couch (basically at the same level that you are!)...it helps in the long run..maybe once she is settled (3-4 years..) you could try it..

Dexter had the same attitude (we used to let him share our comforter) and he got aggressive when we asked him to get up..so we stopped that right away..

Hope this helps

Toke and Dex

 

[Lucy's Mom]

I've often heard the advice to keep dogs off the bed to ensure they realize that your pack status is higher than theirs. I think that is more true the more dominent the dog is. Flora is pretty submissive, and has never been a problem on the bed. Of course, by the time she came along, Lucy had already completely claimed it.

Lucy will occasionally growl when she is on the bed (especially at the children) most often if her sleep is disturbed. She has never showed teeth or snapped at us. Whenever she growls, she is evicted from the bed. These days she can return after a short time, but when she was younger she lost bed privileges for the day.

I think you did just right by putting Brie in her crate. From here, I'd wait awhile before letting her back on the bed. She can be taught that being on the bed is a privilege, not a right, so I don't think you need to wait years, just a week maybe. Depending how she acts, you can determine how to proceed.

Good luck. Beware creating a bed-dog who steals all the pillows. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif Just kidding.

 

[Smeagle]

Hi Lora&Tippi! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

In my house we have several rules that our dogs - and people here - must abide by. Firstly, we do not allow animals on the furniture unless they are invited and secondly we leave sleeping dogs to lie.

A dog woken up from sleep quickly can have what is called a startle reflex, and some have it more than others. It has nothing to do with aggression at all. The dog doesn't choose to react in that way, it's totally instinctive. However, if the dog is awake completely see below...

Do not forcefully remove Brie from the bed again - teach her instead when you give the command "off" that means she must get off - or teach her the command "in your crate" which is what I use for my beagle. Teach her that she can only come on the bed when invited - she must sit and stay until you give a command like "up!".

The next time you want her to get off the bed, get a treat and show Brie that you have it in your hand. Lure her off the bed and put the treat in her crate with the command "crate!". Conversely, you can also do this for the word "off" - lure her off the bed with the treat and give the "off" command. Gradually work with this until you can command "off" or "crate" without having to give a treat.

Remember an exercise like this, where you get the dog to obey your command, is also getting the dog to listen and obey YOU as the pack leader. The only way my dogs are allowed on the furniture is if they get on and off on MY terms. They must wait for an invitation and they must get off when I say so. Also, by teaching her a command, you are reinforcing your status as alpha as she is learning to obey you rather than having a physical confrontation with her.

Hope this is helpful /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Quesoart]

THANKS to one and all for the advice! The treat worked twice, then growling again /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif . So now I call her name and when she raises her head I put her leash on, give a tug and say "off" and she gets down right away. Last night she even ran towards her crate and sat down so that I could take her collar and leash off, then she calmly got in her crate, got comfortable and gave out with a huge sigh before closing her eyes. She never ceases to amaze me.

Lora&Tippi...and now Brie "I'v been slimed"

 

[Smeagle]

Quote:Originally posted by Lora&Tippi:
THANKS to one and all for the advice! The treat worked twice, then growling again /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif . So now I call her name and when she raises her head I put her leash on, give a tug and say "off" and she gets down right away. Last night she even ran towards her crate and sat down so that I could take her collar and leash off, then she calmly got in her crate, got comfortable and gave out with a huge sigh before closing her eyes. She never ceases to amaze me.

Lora&Tippi...and now Brie "I'v been slimed"

That's great she is responding to the off command Lora! Don't forget to give lots of praise once she gets off the bed and into her crate /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[doggonit]

If you use a disciplinary word/sound(I do and its very helpful in training cus it lets them know that what they did was wrong, and you don't like it) such as "Eh!", or "No!", you should use it in this this situation. Praise them when they go into their crate.