Hey guys, I got a couple animal behavior questions regarding my dog. First off, if my girlfriend is on the bed before me, he gets defensive?

Question

and will growl/sometimes snap at me if I try to go lay down/touch her... But if I give him a lil love and attention/rubs he'll be all fine and won't care one bit after that. I've wondered if it's protection for her or jealously for my attention? My second question which bugs me to no end is that he'll only let ME know that he needs to use the bathroom. If I'm at my desk, right when I get off to go to sleep he'll start whining and only come to me to take him out, even if my gf is in the room. If he needs to go in the middle of the night he'll gently scratch at my arm or face until I get up, then when he see's that I'm awake he gets all hyped to go outside and do his business. My girlfriend and I have had him for 5&1/2yrs and he's been like this since I can remember. My gf and I both love him and are nice to him, but I definitely give him more attention and rubs, not to mention I'm the one to always feeds him and play with him. I imagine he see's me as the dominant male and that's why he only comes to me for anything like food or needing to go potty, but it's always confused how he'll growl at me and snap at me if I ignore him and go straight to my gf without giving him attention first... He's a little dog, like a chihuahua/shitzhu mix I think. I'm only curious about the matter but appreciate any answers/feedback. Thanks for your time.

Lorraine · Accepted Answer

The dog is spoilt.

First thing is no dog on the bed at all.  Your bed is a high privilege and should not be given unless the dog behaves itself.  If any dog of mine ever abuses that privilege by growling then the privilege is taken away

You won't like this but read and apply some NILIF to this dog.

http://blog.creatureteacher.com.au/2013/12/nilif-nothing-in-life-is-free.html

GllntKnight · Answer

Lack of training/socialization on your part.  Seek professional help for yourself on how to train a dog properly.

Dogs don't have human emotions such as jealousy nor will they protect anything but themselves, if they don't have an escape route, unless professional trained and many will fail the training as they don't have the correct temperament for it.

Dogs are easily disposed of should someone wish to cause harm, should they injure someone, owner will be sued, dog maybe removed at owners expense, and possibly euthanized.

Not the dogs responsibility to let anyone know that "he needs to use the bathroom".

Owners responsibility to provide sufficient daily walk/elimination times, outside, 3-4 times daily, 30-40 minutes each time, puppies every 1-2 hours.

Not your GF's dog, not her responsibility, of course if she wishes she could offer to take him out.

Jojo · Answer

No...he does not see YOU as as the Dominant male....He sees HIMSELF as the Dominant male.
The dog needs to be demoted and to learn his place, which is the lowsest in the hierarchy. 
Keep the dog OFF and OUT of your bed and do some obedience training with him. 
Going on what you have posted you are being way too subservient with him and need to assert your leadership a lot more.
Little dogs that get spoilt by their owners often become rather too cocky and manipulative, so its you and your g/f`s choice.....
Either toughen up with or put up with!

Start here?  >>>>https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how%20to%20become%20a%20leader%20to%20your%20dog

mr.tims · Answer

Question number one petting him while he growls is not good you are basically rewarding him for what he did you are suppose to be the boss and tell him to back off. and when he goes to you when he needs to potty give your friend the leash to walk him, so let your GF do the potty part so later on he will understand that he can go to either one of you. She also has to play with him and train him if you want him to respect you both. Good luck!

alanah · Answer

He's showing you he loves you both my dog is always defensive towards me and my sister and since you do everything he is always wanting to be around you and you do everything because that's all he knows get your gf to do more then he'll go to both of you. As for getting up in the night he's a dog he shouldn't be in your room but put down some puppy pads for him for the night and teach him it's okay to go on these. That's all I got hope it helps

Trending News

Hey guys, I got a couple animal behavior questions regarding my dog. First off, if my girlfriend is on the bed before me, he gets defensive?

5 Answers