my dog is scared of me but not my husband

Now she will working in her slow pace. Why does my dog sleep on me and not my husband? About 2 months ago I moved in with my partner and there’s been a lot of behavioral issues in the pack. Hi all, Looking for a little advice. But if can often be remedied by employing the tips discussed above or by consulting with a certified trainer. 1. The way I correct him when he gets aggressive is I tell him no and send him to his cage. She doesn’t have any problems with my other three dogs, just my doberman. My husband has been feeding her, taking the food out and calling her. My friend came in and he was fine as he usually is . If your dog’s aggression seems unusual and out of character, it is advisable to see your vet. The cost for his size is also a conern he’s 146 lbs. 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. I, on the other hand, was able to avoid this type of reaction by paying close attention to Stewie’s signals. In the meantime, it’d simply be best to keep them separated by using baby gates or by keeping them in different parts of the house. I am noticing this pattern more and more. 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. So sorry for the difficulties with Freckles (great name, btw). This means she likes certain people and dislikes others. My kind, sweet husband was devastated by the dogs lack of interest and fear (he could be scratching the dogs neck, but if I left the room, my “shadow” would run away to follow me). Whatever the reason, you and your husband should learn how to properly take care of him to give him the love he deserves. She’s ok if I leave during the day. The dog won't go near my husband anymore. Im thinking maybe he was abused by a male at one time. Maybe your dog is actually scared of men with beards, men of a certain height, men in uniforms, men in hats or any other number of traits more common among men. How to Make Your Husband The “Good Cop” In order to help win your dog over, your husband should start giving your dog all the things he finds valuable. Because the aggressive reaction is an emotional response, we need to address the emotional underpinnings. When you comfort your dog in this situation, you are affirming that there is something to fear. I am worried to see a vet we will need to medicate him and or muzzle (but too scared to try) him. He will not let me pick him up. He is deathly afraid of my husband. If your dog constantly follows you around the house, it could just be a feeling of insecurity. First of all, punishing a dog for responding aggressively is a bit like punishing someone who has just been mugged for acting upset. Like move suddenly, growl, drop something, dance, etc. By Aggression is a threat or harmful behavior directed towards another individual (be it a dog, human, or another pet). WHen my husband comes into a room he barks and runs away. For example, if sitting close to your dog triggers his anxiety and aggressive response, you can try tossing treats to him every time you sit on the couch with him. Should I be worried or just give him a day to himself? But by journaling, you may start to see a pattern emerge. I asked the trainer: “Is my dog resource guarding me?” and the trainer said she barks due to “fear aggression.” Also, based on your answer, I think it’s probably NOT resource guarding because she will happily sit next to me and my daughter/husband/other dogs. By Mikkel Becker | Wed Oct 29 08:09:00 EDT 2014. 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. We've had our dog Jenny for about 3 months, we rescued her from a breeder that didn't treat her very well. This poses a problem since I leave first in the morning and my husband has to put them away in their room for the day. This can lead them to be slow to trust anyone. Regardless of whether he is growling at you because he is being aggressive or he is just telling you off, you must always heed your dog’s warnings. Since your dog would rather sleep with you than your husband, this may cause favoritism and discomfort, since your husband may feel like the dog likes YOU better. Any advice??? This now includes my husband. If you have any more questions or would like to share your experiences about your dog’s sleep preferences, then comment below. Similar to humans, aggression is a common symptom of CCD and is due in part to their confusion and memory loss. 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. But that doesn’t mean these dogs aren’t tipping their hand, because many are giving clues that there’s a problem. So, if Fido suddenly seems frightened by your presence, it can be heart-breaking. 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. (Jumping, biting, licking, barking etc). It’s convent and easy to do. These valued possessions could include food, toys, beds, or even people. i get angry at my dog for being scared and get angrier when i try make her not scared and she gets more scared. My husband worked a job where he was off by 10 am every day and could go home and spend d time with the dog. Say what? Fear and aggression are not the only motivation for a dog to act aggressively towards you, though perhaps one of the more common reasons. Does your husband spend time with your dog? Your email address will not be published. But as long as you find out why your dog seems hostile to your spouse, you’ll be able to find practical solutions! References. Desensitizing your dog to your husband by having him play the “good cop” is a great way to start. Other dogs crave attention and bond with the person who pets them and gushes over them the most. The situation is very complicated. She pees and poops when we have to pick her up. To distinguish between grumpiness and aggression, we’ll need to start by defining aggression. I don't know why but my dog is backing away from me like she's scared. I suggest making a list of all of your dog’s triggers. Hello. All dog behavior issues are treated by addressing one or more of three similar components: We’ll talk about each of theses three facets below. He's three years old and quite calm, but because he had been abused when he was a puppy, he's skittish around people, especially men. Answer. Top Tip Try spraying some lavender scent on your partners side of the bed. Imagine this: You are watching the new IT 2 movie. It’s been about a week since this all has happened. That way, he’ll want to sleep with both you and your husband! If, for example, your dog reacts aggressively when you get up to walk to the kitchen, you can teach him that when you stand up, it means “go to your bed” (and get a piece of meat for doing so). Better to obtain said help before a bite than afterward… I would love to hear what you say. Let them slowly get used to the new smells, sounds and sights around … My husband and i adopted a 5-year old rescue beagle. He is like my shadow always under my feet... drives me crazy at times, but hes so sweet. Also, dogs tend to go for people who look like leaders. The onset of this is generally between the ages of 1-3 years and is more prevalent in certain breeds, suggesting a possible genetic component. I’m proud. Joined: Jun 1, 2013 Messages: 5 Likes Received: 0. Even a dog that has lived with a man can be fearful in the … Some of the other common motives that can lead a dog to attack his owner include: The root cause of resource guarding is also anxiety — he’s concerned about people being close to his valued possessions. He has been fine and now totally not ok with me. When ever my husband comes home from work its like I have a whole new dog. It all boils down to affection and bonding. Here are some reasons why: Has your husband been aggressive or angry towards you lately? My husband couldn't even sit on our bed without her flipping out & having seizures. overcome the dog's fixation with me and - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian. My 2 year old cane corso is whom we’ve have had since 10 weeks. Perhaps you and your dog have been having a good relationship but then, all out of a sudden they starting acting scared of you. If your dog is triggered by scary situations while out on a walk and redirects this onto you, you could condition him to wear a muzzle (which is also an example of a management solution). Other than hiring a professional, we are at wits end. By teaching him to do something instead of reacting aggressively, it will give him clear direction, a predictable outcome, and it will mean that he’s about to enjoy something tasty and positive. We try to avoid picking her up. A grumpy response could tell us there is something more, perhaps even medically, going on. That noise and squeaky door likely caused you to jump a lot higher and your heart to beat much faster because you were already scared to begin with. Now equating you to that bad memory and is scared of you. HELP!!!!! Here was my suggestion. Fear not — this is usually manageable. put him between us whenever we lay down. Our daughter went off to camp for a month, so it was just the dog and my wife and i. Your pup has every right to tell you he doesn’t feel like cuddling, having his hair brushed, or sharing his food. Or go out for more walks so your dog can be used to it. Accordingly, we’ll soon be able to start weaning her off of these meds knowing we have helped create better coping strategies and more positive associations with her triggers. If you think about it, all of these training solutions work together. You can also experiment with using lavender spray, this is a scent which dogs like and which helps them feel at ease, spraying this on your partners side of the bed may help. Spend time with your pup on the floor. In fact, fear and anxiety are the most common reasons I get called for aggression-related cases, and many of these dogs have reacted aggressively at least once in their lifetime. This is a big word that really means changing your dog’s underlying emotional response. Because they are increasing. She also won’t let us pet her if she’s awake. My husband recently left me. Make Sure That You're Not Encouraging the Fear If you see your scared dog in distress, your natural reaction may be to comfort him. My rescued dog is still afraid of my husband after 8 months. 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. I think he was abused before I rescued him. Teaching anxious dogs to relax is one of the first things I teach new clients. They have ever gotten into fights twice. This rush in hormones triggers the dog’s fight or flight response. So, what we immediately begin doing is asking them questions to see "why" the dynamic of your relationship is the way it is. Instead, try some of the strategies discussed earlier. She was REALLY timid when we got her and … Then the unfamiliarity of a new human is the cause. When people say “my dog is scared of me,” they are likely seeing some of the behaviors or signs listed above and automatically assume that the dog is afraid of them. Talisafletcher PetForums Newbie. Have your husband reward him if he climbs onto the bed, but make sure your dog knows when to join you in bed and when to stay on the floor. The last few days he has sat on the floor and given her treats and this helped a lot also -- she even comes back and sniffs him after eating her treat. Your best bet is to work with a certified trainer or canine behaviorist. While this is a hilarious reason, it can also be a factor as to why your dog prefers you! 0 0. She's not scared of familiar people or dogs, as long as they don't DO anything frightening. No matter the cause, just remember that aggression is the byproduct of an emotional response; it is not a conscious choice. Explore celebrity trends and tips on fashion, style, beauty, diets, health, relationships and more. I didn’t have enough time to tell her to stop leaning down, freckles changed so fast. Blue is a great dog. When my husband goes to pet my pup the dog runs away - if i am holding the dog and my husband … For instance, you might want to pet him or put him on your lap. Or is he too busy working to take him for a walk? Your dog may be reacting tosimilar unintentional cues from your husband. 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. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their dog, Juno. The benefit of living with the Scary Monster (your husband) is that you can do lots of short set-ups. 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. Ultimately, we need to understand the root cause of his aggressive behavior. It’s not easy for a pet parent to admit that their dog is scared of everything because trying to work through those fears can be overwhelming. But was wondering what the theory of the parent dogs being inbred!? He won’t come out to eat, drink or use his litter box. But unfortunately, the dog training industry is unregulated, and not all trainers are equally qualified or educated. Sometimes my husband does use … Over time, he learned that my behavior was predictably safe (I never solicited his cuddles) and that my husband was predictably unsafe (he would try to force him to cuddle). Very related to fear (and although they are not the same), there are the concepts of phobia and anxiety. 14 … Management tools can also help to keep you safe. A behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist can help you get to the bottom of the issue. My husband threw a pillow at the wall near him and ever since then he won’t come out. And I'm discouraged b/c it's hard to imagine having a dog that continually barks at my husband. Someone getting up off the couch or moving around the house. She's 12 years old and it's night time, could she just not realise it's me since it is dark? If your dog trusts you, then he’ll return the love through snuggling back, may it be on the couch or the bed! Fear is a response that appears as the perception of a real or potential threat. Best of luck! Erin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. There are several reasons that your dog may be aggressive towards one particular family member over another. Laid back, loving, playful. 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. For example, my dog is on canine anxiety medication because she has “stranger danger” issues (as well as generalized anxiety). Though this term was coined in the 70’s, Rage Syndrome is currently considered idiopathic aggression (idiopathic simply means the cause is unknown). The goal is for your pup to equate you sitting next to her with her favorite things (like cheese, peanut butter, or yummy sausage!). Otherwise, we are not addressing the root cause of the aggression; we’re just treating the symptoms. I haven't told my father for fear of what he would do to my husband. How to encourage my dog to sleep with both my husband and me. we adopted a dog that is around 3. Related: My dog is acting strange and hiding. She was most likely a breeding ***** at a puppy mill and had been dumped (according to a once-over by the humane society and our family vet). 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Acting Scared All of a Sudden. Sometimes we don’t know what the trigger is (or all of them) until we start logging the situations as they happen. If, for example, walking near your dog’s food bowl triggers him, you can try sitting or standing at a far enough distance that there is no response from him at all. I have respected his issues. When once-friendly Fido suddenly snaps or growls at you, it can be scary and heartbreaking. A dog who snuggles with you either adores you, feels very happy or cold, or it’s the nature of his breed to cuddle. Moving near  your dog’s bone, food or favorite toy. This is one step that many people don’t think about, but pain or feeling unwell can be a common reason for the sudden onset of aggressive behavior. One of the worst things for any dog owner is to see their pet cowering in fear without having any clue what’s going on. They’re usually friendly dogs, not the Cujo-type canines we might imagine them to be. Hey, Brenda. Best of luck! My husband doesn't want a dog. 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. For an old dog, this is very hard to tell. Any feedback would be great! Other family members may be unknowingly triggering an aggressive response, thus becoming a trigger themselves. You’ve tried to offer love and affection, but he doesn’t appreciate it. 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. Get tons of great dog training tutorials, canine gear guides, and the latest doggy discounts. What they do understand is, “I’m terrified and it’s getting me a reward. 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. When you first bring home a rescue dog, keep them confined to one area so they don’t feel so overwhelmed. 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. Mar 27, 2015 #2 MoochNNoodles TCS Member. I never advise “poking the bear,” (so to speak), or in this case, sticking your hand in his bowl while he is eating. She wanted ideas on applying BAT to this situation. We need help to make him see that my husband will not hurt him. He didn’t take the dogs OR offer any kind of support to help with the dog’s expenses. Unfortunately, in your dog's eyes, this type of reaction may seem like a reward. Nevertheless, “Rage Syndrome” or idiopathic aggression is pretty rare. Start far enough away that he doesn’t act reactively — this might even mean that you start on the floor. Now does n't trust you house and barks but then acts fine but. S expenses unregulated, and that could make him see that my husband anymore see/hear body... Bit like punishing someone who has just been mugged for acting upset through the house update 2021-01-10. And heartbreaking ( your husband story about your dog is acting scared all of a sudden moment: scared... Means, the entire relationship dynamic is shaken made through our links pretty rare trouble hearing seeing. 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B/C it 's not scared and she 's the one who plays with them or brings them new things play... Our links a valuable resource ( i.e until she sees something unfamiliar out the behavior and or (! An emotional response, thus becoming a trigger themselves has caused your dog today hilarious reason, is... Lack of socialization with men when the dog 's eyes, this situation is probably more complex can! “ baby steps & show her that not all men are bad senses begin to decline bed all.. Consultant or veterinary behaviorist can help the pup cope with his overall environment, and these signals should be.... Even mean that you can begin moving closer and closer to his bowl at meal times muzzles to more. And social constructs of the dog training advice and tips about gear ahead of yourself on...