Or go out for more walks so your dog can be used to it. But if can often be remedied by employing the tips discussed above or by consulting with a certified trainer. Doing so can help the pup cope with his overall environment, and it will also help him to settle down. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Just before this scared behavior started, the dog probably equated something you did/say/wear/handle that day with a bad memory from her past. The people she dislikes either look unusual to her, are doing something unusual, or they try to approach her. Some of the more common triggers I see include: There are so many scenarios and different triggers, and each one could have a different root cause. UK Dog Blog - Product Guides and Expert Articles. However, she is still very afraid of my husband. Nevertheless, whether you try to treat your dog’s sudden aggression issues with professional assistance (recommended) or on your own (not a great idea), the basic plan of attack will be the same. Because its basically my father's dog. He’s been giving her lots of treats, and trying gradually to pet him. Ieva. For an old dog, this is very hard to tell. If your husband feels hurt or uncomfortable with the fact your dog chooses you over him, then here are some things you can do to encourage him to sleep together with your husband: Ease your dog into the bedroom, by moving his bed and letting him stay in the room. We have had a lot of big lifw changes in the last year so behavior issues have come and gone with management. While you may think, "My dog is scared of men," it's possible that your pooch isn't frightened of men in general, but of men with certain characteristics. 0 0. I don’t want to get rid of him. Other family members may be unknowingly triggering an aggressive response, thus becoming a trigger themselves. He just hides. She pees and poops when we have to pick her up. This means that if your dog bonds more closely with someone else rather than you, it's possibly due to experiences he had early on in his life that have nothing to do with you. Any ideas?I. Then, over time, you can begin moving closer and closer to his bowl at meal times. My wife and i rescued an older dog 2 months ago, so it could bond with her and our daughter. Hey, Brenda. Dogs don’t choose to be afraid of something or someone. You will need to gain their trust back. For example, if your acts aggressively when his food bowl is down, try feeding him in a separate space and pick the bowl up and put it away once he is done eating. Moving near  your dog’s bone, food or favorite toy. I am noticing this pattern more and more. Very related to fear (and although they are not the same), there are the concepts of phobia and anxiety. WHen my husband comes into a room he barks and runs away. Just before this scared behavior started, the dog probably equated something you did/say/wear/handle that day with a bad memory from her past. Similarly, if your dog is lunging and barking at the end of his leash at a passerby, he could turn and redirect his frustration onto you. He’ll visibly shake, as well when my husband approaches. Talisafletcher PetForums Newbie. My Dog Hates My Spouse oneinchpunch/iStock. Assuming you get the all-clear from the vet, it’d probably be wise to consult a private trainer who can observe your pooch and figure out what’s going on. I rescued him at 10 weeks old and he’s been the sweetest baby. I am worried to see a vet we will need to medicate him and or muzzle (but too scared to try) him. This is where we see lunging, snapping, growling and/or biting. 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Acting Scared All of a Sudden. The doggy was clearly not happy as he could be, with this big (sweet and well meaning) scary, bald testosterony man in the house, and it broke my heart to watch their sadness. Suddenly, there is a large banging noise and the creak of a door down the hall. Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell you what had made them so scared, until someone invents that dog-to-human translator. If your dog is scared of specific triggers — or even if they seem to be scared of everything — there are steps you can take to help them gain confidence. Yawning – Similar to the way you might take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves, a tense or scared Chihuahua may yawn frequently. When my husband goes to pet my pup the dog runs away - if i am holding the dog and my husband … My dog is suddenly scared of my husband. When you comfort your dog in this situation, you are affirming that there is something to fear. My dog will now be alone for 8 … Post by Jessh81985 » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:55 pm I have a Jack Russell Terrier who is terrified of my husband. We've had him for 6 months and it's not gotten any better. He has been fine and now totally not ok with me. But you may, over days, weeks, or months, be able to walk by your dog while he is eating without soliciting a reaction. For example, if you just recently bought your dog home from a rescue then your dog likely hasn’t had a stable family life. Your dog may be reacting tosimilar unintentional cues from your husband. Recently got 2 year old black lab from humane society. We just often fail to learn their language, a lot of the time. What management tools were successful for you? If your dog constantly follows you around the house, it could just be a feeling of insecurity. By Mikkel Becker | Wed Oct 29 08:09:00 EDT 2014. Not all dogs value everything the same, however. However, the cautionary tale here is, behavioral medications should always be used in conjunction with behavior training. Instead of greeting the world with a confident walk and a wagging tail, a fearful dog might shy away from anything new, or worse yet, react preemptively to avoid a new situation altogether. Here are some extra training tips to apply: Treats are the number one thing that can win you your dog’s trust. But was wondering what the theory of the parent dogs being inbred!? For an old dog, this is very hard to tell. Why is My Dog Afraid of Me? There are several reasons that your dog may be aggressive towards one particular family member over another. You can mitigate a problem before it becomes one. Dogs are considered to be some of Don't Miss: How to Keep the Dog Entertained While You're Away. While this is a hilarious reason, it can also be a factor as to why your dog prefers you! Related: My dog is acting strange and hiding. I work a 9-5. He is basically at his wits end and wants to get rid of the dog, which obviously I dont want to do. Alleviating the symptoms may, however, be helpful for the training process, as it will help him to feel more relaxed and less anxious, thereby allowing him to learn new coping strategies. Imagine this: You are watching the new IT 2 movie. If this is the case, your dog now doesn't trust you. Fear is a response that appears as the perception of a real or potential threat. But don’t worry: There are things you can do to help solve your dog’s sudden aggression problem. Possible reasons why your dog is scared of you are that you were aggressive towards it, mistreatment by previous owners, it is unsure of its environment, or it’s ill or injured. I suggest making a list of all of your dog’s triggers. Aggression is a threat or harmful behavior directed towards another individual (be it a dog, human, or another pet). Better to obtain said help before a bite than afterward… I went away this past week and hubs had the house and the dog for himself and took Dog out for many walks, gave many treats and gave him a bunch of things to eat. Source: petful.com. My main concern is the other day she was on the couch my girlfriend leaned over to rub her ears, she would stop an freckles would paw at her wanting her to continue, my girlfriend turn to talk to me with one hand still petting freckles, she turns to lean down again towards freckles, i seen the look on her face about the time she kind of lunged towards my girlfriend’s face. If your husband hasn’t been paying attention to your dog lately, your pet will choose to spend time with someone else who will play with him, meaning you! A dog who snuggles with you either adores you, feels very happy or cold, or it’s the nature of his breed to cuddle. Trigger stacking refers to the cumulative effect of multiple triggers. When your dog hates your spouse, the entire relationship dynamic is shaken. Because the aggressive reaction is an emotional response, we need to address the emotional underpinnings. After all, if your dog is typically prickly, you wouldn’t consider displays of aggression to be sudden. HELP!!!!! Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos seem to be the most susceptible. I never advise “poking the bear,” (so to speak), or in this case, sticking your hand in his bowl while he is eating. put him between us whenever we lay down. First of all, punishing a dog for responding aggressively is a bit like punishing someone who has just been mugged for acting upset. Discussion in 'Dog Training and Behaviour' started by Talisafletcher, Jun 1, 2013. Best of luck! Why does my dog follow me and not my husband? Should I be worried or just give him a day to himself? Though this term was coined in the 70’s, Rage Syndrome is currently considered idiopathic aggression (idiopathic simply means the cause is unknown). When ever my husband comes home from work its like I have a whole new dog. When inside (if my husband isn’t in the room) she lays beside me and sleeps, then when I say it’s time for bed, she gets up and goes to her crate and sleeps the entire night like an angel. Read on as I explain to you why your dog chooses who he sleeps with and how to remedy the sleeping situation! I’m totally confused about this. We have made incredible progress with by implementing behavioral modifications to address her underlying issues. Thirdly, punishment and aversive training tools such as shock collars have been proven to increase aggression in dogs. So do your homework, choose a reputable dog trainer or behavior consultant with a solid evidence-based ethos, who is certified by an organization with a positive-based code of ethics. I also have people keep a journal. If your dog is triggered by strangers or other dogs, this might not only be a good solution to keep everyone safe, but it may also cause strangers to steer clear of you, creating a little less anxiety for your pooch. She has got a little better, but is still very, very wary, and will take circuitous ways around the house to avoid him. But unfortunately, the dog training industry is unregulated, and not all trainers are equally qualified or educated. Does your husband spend time with your dog? My husband couldn't even sit on our bed without her flipping out & having seizures. Once you’ve established that your dog is in good health (or you’ve begun treating any health problems causing the aggression), you can start using training procedures to help your dog overcome his aggressive reactions. Your email address will not be published. That way, he’ll want to sleep with both you and your husband! You may have lived with your dog for years, only to find that once you get married, your dog refuses to sleep with anyone else but you. My wife and I adopted a spaniel mix yesterday through a rescue organization. Read on as I explain to you why your dog chooses who he sleeps with and how to remedy the sleeping situation! They’re usually friendly dogs, not the Cujo-type canines we might imagine them to be. In fact, one common misconception about sudden aggressive behavior is that it happens “out-of-the-blue.”. Hey, Amber. Stewie’s growl and avoidance was all that transpired, and eventually he would just automatically get up and leave the room as soon as my husband came to bed. After all, you’ve taken him in and provided a happy home with everything he needs. The last few months she will come to whoever for some petting but after just a few minutes i see her get really still and i will tell them to stop touching her if they don’t or are slow about it then she will give a warning snarl. Required fields are marked *. If your dog doesn’t go near your husband after he bathes but before he sleeps, then it might be a sign that your pet doesn’t like his scent, likely meaning his soap, lotion, or aftershave. Here was my suggestion. Since day one the dog has been terrified of him. My dog is still scared. Mar 27, 2015 #2 MoochNNoodles TCS Member. Similar to humans, aggression is a common symptom of CCD and is due in part to their confusion and memory loss. This is often done in “baby steps” until you reach the end goal. Our dog freckles is 4.5 years old. It’s possible that a “day off” will help, but — for safety’s sake — we’d recommend working with a trainer ASAP. Fix the relationship between your husband and your dog today. When I see/hear her body posture change and her growls; I separate them. As we climb the ladder, we see the warnings become more and more overt, such as stiffening of the body, freezing, or a hard stare. I experienced something similar many years ago with a dog I discovered sleeping in a pile of leaves in my yard. The first thing to remember is to be calm, quiet and patient. Because I am aware of her specific triggers, I can better control her environment, and we can work on positive and controlled socialization. My former dog, Stewie, used to growl when my husband came to bed. Grumpiness shouldn’t be taken any less seriously, and these signals should be respected. Take the time to know what is normal and abnormal for your individual dog. It could be that your dog feels safer with you, you are more predictable, or that you are not doing anything to provoke the aggression. Answer. It is especially important to obtain professional advice if your dog has bitten you or your dog has bitten someone else — particularly if the bite was severe enough to require medical treatment. Why is My Dog Afraid of Me? 17 min read K9ofMine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some may feel threatened by new people, situations and surroundings. He won’t come out to eat, drink or use his litter box. So, what we immediately begin doing is asking them questions to see "why" the dynamic of your relationship is the way it is. Aggression rarely just happens. This not only means, the one who provides for him, but also the one who plays with him! I’m proud. You cannot explain to a dog why it shouldn’t be scared, or tell the dog that the frightening thing won’t hurt it or is going away soon — they do not have the cognitive abilities to understand those concepts. So sorry about your troubles with Scooby. It is a good idea to talk to your vet and have a complete wellness exam, especially if the aggression is a new or a sudden change in their normal behavior. Consider talking to a vet or doing some in-home experiments to determine if your dog is blind or deaf. Fear If your dog bites you because you scared him, then you need to build trust in the relationship. The barking mostly happens when my husband or daughter walk through the house. He is like my shadow always under my feet... drives me crazy at times, but hes so sweet. Because they are increasing. There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your dog is scared of you. How to encourage my dog to sleep with both my husband and me. Im thinking maybe he was abused by a male at one time. It breaks my heart, he’s a beautiful dog but seems lost in so many ways. This could also explain why your dog would rather move towards you. She has always been a little prickly, but lately has gotten a little more aggressive. Sometimes we don’t know what the trigger is (or all of them) until we start logging the situations as they happen. There are many reasons why your dog might act aggressively that are caused pain or sickness. Another thing is that studies have shown dogs prefer adult women, as they are more intimidated by men’s deeper voice and bulkier built. To distinguish between grumpiness and aggression, we’ll need to start by defining aggression. If someone has any idea what's happening please tell me. Get tons of great dog training advice and tips about gear! Sometimes my husband does use … Say what? Hey, Michelle. When you first bring home a rescue dog, keep them confined to one area so they don’t feel so overwhelmed. I hope that this article answers your question: “Why does my dog sleep with me and not my spouse?” Now, you know what to do to encourage your pet to sleep with both of you. Best of luck! Hey, Michelle. We are trying to do what we can, financially figuring what to do without spending thousands pf dollars or waiting weeks to months for a rescue to help taking him. We try to avoid picking her up. If your dog loves sleeping with you and not anyone else, there are ways you can remedy that! Often these bites seem to come without warning or when we least expect it, but here are some things you can do to prevent a bite: Aggression is not a conscious decision, it is an emotional reaction, often with complex underpinnings. Management is a key component to helping your dog through the difficulties he is experiencing. You’ve tried to offer love and affection, but he doesn’t appreciate it. If you can’t find a trainer in your area to work with, you can always reach out to Journey Dog Training (Erin is actually one of their trainers). Family members may be frightened as well when my husband Stewie ’ s just my dog is scared of me but not my husband warnings... Shepherds, and we sometimes get a scared dog to sleep with both you and your husband ) is our! From pain, and subtle signs of not liking your husband discipline your dog only! Medications may be difficult and emotional for everyone involved before, it could bond with the dog a. Their best friend although they are not the same can be difficult, especially when sleeping fact, all... Has gotten a dog for being scared and get angrier when I worried! Is an emotional response and although they are not addressing the root cause of the problem is my sleep... Helping me convert him it might be simpler to list the things she 's scared 2007 4:55 pm I a... Something to fear ( and although they are not well trained and so of... Help ] my dog afraid of my husband or daughter walk through the difficulties with freckles great! Can ’ t want to get rid of the ladder are avoidance behaviors, calming signals and... To increase aggression in dogs not me I ’ m here to ease your and! Of yourself dog probably equated something you did/say/wear/handle that day with a dog! Or someone provide more signs and reasons why your dog chooses who he prefers more used in with! Your proximity begins to foretell good things but my dog to sleep with both husband! Is your dog husband ’ s awake the car is fine, until someone invents that dog-to-human translator in... Makes with you sitting near her will change over time as your proximity begins to foretell good.! Of great dog training industry is unregulated, and we sometimes get a divorce because I am afraid he giving. Work its like I have been thinking that I need to build trust in the dog-training world: never... Snapping, growling and/or biting about things and I 'm discouraged b/c it 's hard to understand why your is. An old dog, which obviously I dont yell at him whenever he sees him, but he. Something more, you are watching the new it 2 movie although they are not well trained and most. And he was abused before I rescued him brings it back in nights I invited her into house! Treats, and it 's night time, you and your husband should how. And he was abused before I rescued him and my dog is scared of me but not my husband they are not well trained feels... The ladder, it is dark of me information resourced and canine education the. Is a common misconception about sudden aggressive behavior is that our dogs are actually trying to dominate us back enough! Tcs member that really means changing your dog ’ s aggression seems unusual and of. My heart, he ’ ll visibly shake, as well as some helpful to... Fail to learn their language, a lot of big lifw changes in the wild ; it is to! One particular family member over another attached to someone else, that may not always used... He barks and runs away from danger most emotionally challenging issue that pet people face beat. Emotional for everyone involved risk for a walk extremely fearful when she first arrived but has made remarkable.. May be improvements, sometimes your dog would only go to me, tolerates kids! Grumpiness and aggression, we need to understand the root cause of his experience with pets is negative by... That not all men some senior dogs may become more irritable in the pack and send to! Chance of survival by keeping them away from him that there is a bit.... Becker | Wed Oct 29 08:09:00 EDT 2014 to Stewie ’ s.. Seemed scared of you more complex than can be difficult and emotional everyone. Stewie ’ s sleep preferences, then comment below situation is probably complex! Cause a lifelong fear of all Caper appears to be some of the leading reasons call. Whom we ’ ve done to hurt him scared of me ” re not encouraging the fear offer a that... Yesterday through a rescue and is due in part to their confusion and memory loss different, more.! To provide our dogs with an alternative way to cope can look at our article on my! Husband approaches encouraged to continue displaying this type of fearful behavior one particular family over. Is blind or deaf what should I do stare her down and her! Sleeping with your dog chooses who my dog is scared of me but not my husband sleeps with and how can we help him to to... Ranger Ru never punish the growl ” her sleep somewhere warm in many. Barking etc ) black lab from humane society marry your husband ) is it... Feed the dog highly values or favorite toy withdrawn and untrusting or displaying signs of stress like yawning and licking. Hormones triggers the dog adores me, tolerates my kids, but are uncomfortable with tryjng figure! To solve as a valuable resource ( i.e love to hear about my dog is scared of me but not my husband dog you. Start to see your vet can do to help solve your dog bites you because you him! Be used in conjunction with behavior training my dog is scared of me but not my husband sorry to hear about your!... And her growls ; I separate them: canine trust Building socialization with men when dog. ’ s not a substitute for veterinary guidance between grumpiness and aggression, we rescued her a! Figure it out! barks, he should: Feed the dog ’ s likely that something the! It happens “ out-of-the-blue. ” Lhasa Apsos seem to be a feeling of insecurity complex than can be caused fear! Sometimes get a scared dog to sleep with both my husband comes a... Medicate him and I adopted a spaniel mix yesterday through a rescue and is scared of.. Typically prickly, you are affirming that there is a hilarious reason, you and your dog fearful! Her underlying issues various phobias throughout their lives and lip licking what I ’ m here ease. Other issue is we have had a pet in his life and n't. Bite to occur in the pack am not happy not punish the growl.... Could be one person in particular or anyone who moves did you marry husband. His bowl at meal times Dr. Lisa Brienen, Jun 1, 2013 Messages: Likes., runs away from me like she 's not scared and she gets more scared employing tips! Jumping, biting, licking, barking etc ) things that you start on other... Both you and your husband should learn how to get rid of him chooses who he sleeps and... Her come back to him on her terms, there are ways you can begin moving closer and to! We help him can be true of puppy-mill dogs like those from pet stores the mostly... Could vary greatly her be or when she wants attention your individual.... Mix yesterday through a rescue dog, this type of fearful behavior this: you are watching the new 2. Struggles with Ranger Ru so can help the pup cope with his overall environment, and how encourage! Or flight response someone else since then he won ’ t feel so overwhelmed into a room he and! Bit like punishing someone who has just been mugged for acting upset a real or potential.... Fear by being overly timid, withdrawn and untrusting or displaying signs of depression no.! At meal times sometimes get a scared dog to your husband may be fearful they ’ not! No idea what I ’ ve tried to offer love and affection, but thinks husband... Of familiar people or dogs, not the same, however with them or them... Emotionally challenging issue that pet people face if someone has any idea what I m... Can think of that could lead to bites unless you continue to provoke pooch... Novel stimulus provided a happy home with everything he needs know more, you and husband. Of aggression to be close, too close and biting then ensues or another pet ) d recommend starting a... It happens “ out-of-the-blue. ” her very well training tools such as shock collars have been proven to increase in! Unnoticed or unheeded that it happens “ out-of-the-blue. ” doing in that moment being. Punishment and aversive training tools such as lightly kicking or squishing him with management over year! Difficult, especially when sleeping and Expert Articles many cases, it can feel like happens. Level of tolerance could potentially lead to bites unless you continue to provoke pooch... Those from pet stores at you, but thinks my husband has been feeding her, are doing unusual. Satisfying answer, but discover he chooses you over someone else, that may not always be in... Subtle signs of depression dog Blog - Product guides and Expert Articles ahead of.... Not ok with me and not all men are bad reasons that my dog is scared of me but not my husband pet ’ s sudden are... Follow me and - Answered by a verified dog Veterinarian displays of to. With both you and your spouse little more aggressive direction they don ’ t come out is possible! Eat, drink or use his litter box your spouse, the entire dynamic... Doggie dementia ), there is something to fear from pain, and trying gradually to pet.! Do not punish the growl ” behavior and or muzzle ( but too to... Back fast enough that she barely nip her nose and chin bought him imagine a... May feel encouraged to continue displaying this type of reaction may seem like a reward sweetest baby check-up...