Dog advice pleasee .. Fed up :(

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GypsyGirl

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Hey everyone,

I posted a while back now about since my dogs mum died (who was the dominant one) So now my dog is trying to take over as a dominant dog. I took all your advice about everytime he growls then he gets sent out .. and he doesnt sit on the sofa or anything now. But now I have another problem ..

My dog knows that he doesnt get away with anything with my OH .. My OH is very strict with him, and now my dog is ALWAYS growling at him .. He gets sent out the room but nothing seems to work .. my dog just doesnt like my OH. But .. The thing is, is that when im not there .. my dog is fine with him .. he will play with him and everything .. as soon as theres other people around he turns into a different dog and growls at him.

My dog stays in my room aswell because everytime hes downstairs on his own he cries and barks running around all the time so he has to come up.

I just feel like im getting stuck in the middle because I love my dog, but I feel guilty because my dog is always getting shut out all the time .. and I know that I shouldnt because hes in the wrong. Im just not sure on what to do .. I just want him to stop growling. Also .. my dog always wets himself .. if someone comes into the house and strokes him he will bark like mad .. then when they go to stroke him he wets himself .. Hes not castrated yet but im thinking of doing so.

Can anyone help? I must sound like a terrible dog owner but its hard to see him like it because he was fine before his mum died in November, but now hes trying to dominate everything? xx
 
Oh dear - this all sounds like a bit of a Catch 22 situation :(

Sorry, I missed your other posts - what breed and how old is he?

From this post it would appear that he is very jealous and trying to protect you - are you the one that always feeds him? If so, would it be possible for your OH to give him his breakfast and dinner?

Regarding the running around and barking - are you sure he is getting enough exercise and stimulation? Could your OH take him for his walks/training and is he willing to do so?

To be honest your dog sounds very unhappy and I can tell that you think the world of him and are a very caring owner.

I think you need to take a completely fresh approach to solve this - I would imagine that sending him out all the time is just making him more unhappy. Rather than punishing him all the time and creating an unhappy atmosphere in the evenings, what if you were to cuddle and welcome him into your normal routine - do you think that would cheer him up a bit?
 
Ravenwood said:
Oh dear - this all sounds like a bit of a Catch 22 situation :(

Sorry, I missed your other posts - what breed and how old is he?

From this post it would appear that he is very jealous and trying to protect you - are you the one that always feeds him? If so, would it be possible for your OH to give him his breakfast and dinner?

Regarding the running around and barking - are you sure he is getting enough exercise and stimulation? Could your OH take him for his walks/training and is he willing to do so?

To be honest your dog sounds very unhappy and I can tell that you think the world of him and are a very caring owner.

I think you need to take a completely fresh approach to solve this - I would imagine that sending him out all the time is just making him more unhappy. Rather than punishing him all the time and creating an unhappy atmosphere in the evenings, what if you were to cuddle and welcome him into your normal routine - do you think that would cheer him up a bit?
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Hey thanks for the reply:

He is a Scotty x Westie and is 3. He gets alot of exercise, were always out on walks and we go running in the evenings aswell around the block. Im not the only one that feeds him, my mum does and so does my OH. I think that a lot of it is coming down to jelousy, because I will be sitting on the floor with him in the evenings etc, and he will be laying next to me having cuddles etc .. but as soon as my OH comes in from work and he goes to stoke Bear (my dog) Bear just growls at him .. its like he is really jelous and he wants my OH to stay away from me lol.

My OH used to take him out etc, but now Bear keeps growling he doesnt take him out.

But the thing is, is that my OH isnt bad to him .. He calls Bear over to stroke him, or to give him a treat or a cuddle but Bear just growls at him and walks off and lays down .. Bear reminds me of a stroppy teenager at the moment.

But then hes completly fine with me and others. :( very difficult xx
 
LOL - Bear sounds like a right character and a typical terrier!!

So, this is obviously a jealousy problem then - right?

I am afraid I have no real experience of terriers and you will have to wait for other posters to come along and advise you!

I can only associate this with my own dogs - two established family members and a new puppy - would you believe that the new puppy has growled and had a go at poor old Toby when he has come up for a stroke - cheeky madam!! I am afraid she gets a very sharp NO, pushed down and I continue to stroke Toby. But then she is just a little puppy and will learn very quickly but your dog is much more mature and set in his ways.

Personally I would just be very stern with him and say NO, and continue exactly what you were doing - I wouldn't keep sending him out all the time but like I say I am not the best person to advise you!
 
He is protecting you, sounds like, if he is fine with the OH when you are not there, and you need to show him that you do not need protecting.

I agree with Ravenwood, a very sharp NO and not mid-grumble, the minute you see him staring and the minute you see his hackles go up, any time after is too late and the more passive behaviour he shows, the more he will get your praise and attention - try that rather than sending him out - don't slip up, every time he does it, respond, it will take a while but keep it up.

You need to change your mindset, I used to be a bit hapless about my dog but I started to get - not angry - but determined about it...hey, I'm a big girl and I can look after myself, step back, mate!

All that guilt, all that sympathy you are feeling, he will soak up like a little sponge. You really need to have a 'look, wise up, I'm not accepting that' kinda vibe going on, then lots of praise when he finally does settle down.

He will respect you more and I bet he will be a bit happier too, sounds like the loss of his Mum has made him lose his way a little.
 
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