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. 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. Secondly, punishing the growl might mean that instead of warning you next time, he may skip that step and just go straight to the bite. Moving near  your dog’s bone, food or favorite toy. Get tons of great dog training tutorials, canine gear guides, and the latest doggy discounts. My husband recently left me. Dogs who have trouble hearing or seeing can react defensively if suddenly startled. While some changes may be improvements, sometimes your dog can show signs of not liking your husband, especially when sleeping. He is a dauschand. Fortunately, I’m here to ease your mind and offer you seven probably causes of sudden fear in dogs. My dog is suddenly scared of my husband. Thanks Ranger Ru’s Mama! © Copyright 2021 by K9 Of Mine / Marrsipan Media LLC |, What has caused your dog to act aggressively, not all trainers are equally qualified or educated, Your dog isn’t trying to gain rank by displaying signs of aggression, there is a good chance you’ll make that aggression worse, have been proven to increase aggression in dogs, dog may be aggressive towards one particular family member. Your email address will not be published. He will listen to commands ie sitting, giving me paw etc but when I pet him I notice he gets agitated and goes to my partner. You can likely address these issues, but we typically recommend working directly with a personal trainer anytime a dog is biting (or, as in your case, right on the threshold of biting). 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. If your dog constantly follows you around the house, it could just be a feeling of insecurity. How do we (he?) Not all dogs value everything the same, however. [Help] My dog has bonded with me and not my wife, and she's the one who bought him. When my husband goes to pet my pup the dog runs away - if i am holding the dog and my husband … While your dog is in training, show it that there is no reason to be afraid of your husband, and eventually, your dog will come around. It might make you wonder: “Why does my dog sleep on me and not my husband?” As weird as it sounds, this is quite an ordinary, if confusing, situation. This could also explain why your dog would rather move towards you. The people she dislikes either look unusual to her, are doing something unusual, or they try to approach her. A few weeks ago my husband accidentally stepped on his paw. Mar 27, 2015 #2 MoochNNoodles TCS Member. How heart-breaking and strange! But the more times they find themselves provoked, the greater the risk for a bite to occur in the future. My 2 year old cane corso is whom we’ve have had since 10 weeks. This now includes my husband. Top TipTry spraying some lavender scent on your partners side of the bed.This is a scent that dogs respond well to as it promotes calmness, reduces stress and nervousness and increases feelings of peace.This can encourage your dog to try sleeping on your partners side of the bed. Like move suddenly, growl, drop something, dance, etc. I’ve had him for 4 months. So often people simply can’t figure out why their dog is not listening. Erin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. In a nutshell, this is resource guarding.Your dog sees you as a valuable resource (i.e. 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. Other family members may be unknowingly triggering an aggressive response, thus becoming a trigger themselves. Generally, … Continue reading My Dog Listens To My Husband But Does Not Listen To Me → It all boils down to affection and bonding. It may be hard to understand why your dog is afraid of you. Every single day at our dog training facility in Northern Virginia we hear people say, "My dog listens to my husband (or wife), but he doesn't listen to me." Nothing bad has happend between then because the dog is always with me. I would love to hear what you say. He is deathly afraid of my husband. Similarly, your dog may be able to handle one or maybe two of his triggers with tact, but once the third one happens, he loses his ability to remain composed. Any advice??? 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). When we counter condition a dog, we can also desensitize him at the same time. He has been fine and now totally not ok with me. 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. What if My Dog is Suddenly Scared of Me? My 3 year old female pitbull, Blue, is growling threatening at my 19 month old male doberman. The way I correct him when he gets aggressive is I tell him no and send him to his cage. He was a male dog, so I think the dynamic is different, but my wife would show me a lot of affection around him and include him - i.e. So sorry to hear about your struggles with Ranger Ru! Thankfully my girlfriend was able to pull back fast enough that she barely nip her nose and chin. How to encourage my dog to sleep with both my husband and me. 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. 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. Your pooch may not be feeling well or be suffering from pain, and that could be causing him to be a bit prickly. I truly have no idea what I’ve done to hurt him. K9ofMine.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. After all, dogs want to bond and are known to feel comfort with whomever he’s with most. Top Tip Try spraying some lavender scent on your partners side of the bed. Some dogs absolutely love toys and bond with the person who most often plays with them or brings them new things to play with. 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. She was extremely fearful when she first arrived but has made remarkable progress. But once you get married, you may notice that your pet’s actions change. Hey, Amber. Our other cat is starting to run wild because his playmate isn’t around. 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Acting Scared All of a Sudden. I think he was abused before I rescued him. I don’t want to get rid of him. Sometimes we don’t know what the trigger is (or all of them) until we start logging the situations as they happen. Little dogs at the park scare my dog. My dog is scared of my husband. They have a number of long-distance training options available. What has caused your dog to act aggressively, and how can we help him? If someone has any idea what's happening please tell me. I also have people keep a journal. Once we have reached the top rungs of the ladder, it might be too late. The same can be true of puppy-mill dogs like those from pet stores. Panting – You probably know that dogs pant when they are hot but heavy panting is also a sign of a scared, stressed or nervous little dog. we adopted a dog that is around 3. When sleeping in bed, your husband may be unintentionally making your dog uncomfortable, such as lightly kicking or squishing him. It may just be a one-time thing — you moved toward the dog too quickly, or sat too close to him while he was sleeping, for example. My dog, Juno, is “people selective”. Perhaps you and your dog have been having a good relationship but then, all out of a sudden they starting acting scared of you. It doesn’t involve food or toys. 0 0. For the majority of dogs, this is not the most likely culprit, though. Help! 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. Is your dog scared of you or something in the house for no reason? One of the most common problems to solve as a dog owner is when my dog ignores me. This is a big word that really means changing your dog’s underlying emotional response. 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. Related: My dog is acting strange and hiding. Better to obtain said help before a bite than afterward… Another thing is that studies have shown dogs prefer adult women, as they are more intimidated by men’s deeper voice and bulkier built. i get angry at my dog for being scared and get angrier when i try make her not scared and she gets more scared. Why does my dog follow me and not my husband? In fact, aggression is one of the leading reasons people call a professional for help. As you may imagine, this situation is probably more complex than can be fully addressed by an online response. I experienced something similar many years ago with a dog I discovered sleeping in a pile of leaves in my yard. She has got a little better, but is still very, very wary, and will take circuitous ways around the house to avoid him. I dont smack him and I dont yell at him. I can't for the life of me figure out why my dog is so scared of my husband that he goes tail down, making himself small, puppy eyes, when husband lets him out to pee / commands him to go/come somewhere. Talisafletcher PetForums Newbie. 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. You can mitigate a problem before it becomes one. We have had a lot of big lifw changes in the last year so behavior issues have come and gone with management. 25/08/2018. Nevertheless, “Rage Syndrome” or idiopathic aggression is pretty rare. Cocker and Springer Spaniels, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos seem to be the most susceptible. Often times, when a dog feels anxious or fearful, their parasympathetic nervous system (which operates on an involuntary basis) kicks in, dumping hormones into the pupper’s bloodstream. It’s convent and easy to do. Do you have a story about your dog’s aggression you’d like to share? Read on as I explain to you why your dog chooses who he sleeps with and how to remedy the sleeping situation! Joined: Jun 1, 2013 Messages: 5 Likes Received: 0. Then the unfamiliarity of a new human is the cause. put him between us whenever we lay down. Teaching anxious dogs to relax is one of the first things I teach new clients. The associations she makes with you sitting near her will change over time as your proximity begins to foretell good things. If a person in a baseball hat frightens the puppy during this time, he may always fear people in hats. We put him in his room to let him calm down, and when we went in, he would come out for my partner but not for me. I simply ask him to go to his room. A grumpy response could tell us there is something more, perhaps even medically, going on. Last update on 2021-01-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API, Your email address will not be published. The dark can exacerbate movement or sound-related triggers. I’m proud. Desensitizing your dog to your husband by having him play the “good cop” is a great way to start. In fact, one common misconception about sudden aggressive behavior is that it happens “out-of-the-blue.”. But if can often be remedied by employing the tips discussed above or by consulting with a certified trainer. If your dog is scared of literally EVERYTHING, then you understand that life with a fearful dog can be limiting. This typically involves one or more of the following techniques: Desensitization involves slowly, consistently and repeatedly exposing your dog to his trigger at a tolerable distance or intensity. Grumpiness is really just another way of saying less-tolerant than normal. no..i spend more time with her..she is with me all day she only sees my husband a few hours a day....it has something to do with his voice i think...i feed,,bathe,,walk,,exercise her..he does nothing but buy dog food...i do all the other things for her . In many cases, whether we realize it or not, aggression can be caused by fear or anxiety. There are several reasons that your dog may be aggressive towards one particular family member over another. 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. I love her so much, just can’t figure it out!! Hello. We've had our dog Jenny for about 3 months, we rescued her from a breeder that didn't treat her very well. 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. I suggest making a list of all of your dog’s triggers. 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. But today scooby was snuggling me on the couch and sat up, when I went to tap his legs to tell him to lay down as I usually do when he’s on furniture, he bit me, he’s never bitten me before. Source: petful.com. Answer Save. I, on the other hand, was able to avoid this type of reaction by paying close attention to Stewie’s signals. The cost for his size is also a conern he’s 146 lbs. The time spent with your dog is vital and will be a major factor determining who he prefers more. Just like people avoid others who are mad or scary, dogs tend to stay away from the same people, instead choosing people who are more welcoming. Or is he too busy working to take him for a walk? Twitter; Print; Email ; If your dog is fearful when your husband pets her, make this interaction more predictable by pairing the action with a word, like “pet.” Give her the cue “pet" as you reach out to touch her. ” kennel ” he seems like he has been totally kennel trained and feels safe there. Management tools can also help to keep you safe. Or go out for more walks so your dog can be used to it. Barks and growls at him whenever he sees him, runs away from him. Hi, I have a 2 yr old black mouth cur named scooby. This not only means, the one who provides for him, but also the one who plays with him! My dog is scared of loud men. But by journaling, you may start to see a pattern emerge. Talisafletcher PetForums Newbie. About 2 months ago I moved in with my partner and there’s been a lot of behavioral issues in the pack. Similarly, when we ask for an alternative behavior, we are also desensitizing, and the reward he is earning for the new behavior is an example of counterconditioning. we bought a beagle puppy and the first time we went to a walk with him he experienced a traumatic event - huge dog out o fear pressed him to the ground when he wanted to play. 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. Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell you what had made them so scared, until someone invents that dog-to-human translator. Slow and calm movements are also a must. It’s just that these warnings may be subtle and often go unnoticed or unheeded. This is often an aggressive response that is redirected onto the closest person or other animal. 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Acting Scared All of a Sudden. 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. We've had him for 6 months and it's not gotten any better. Let them slowly get used to the new smells, sounds and sights around … We have a saying in the dog-training world: “Never punish the growl”. Fearfulness does have a place in the wild; it increases an animal’s chance of survival by keeping them away from danger. Approaching strangers or other dogs when on leash. They watch people running and playing with their dogs, while the dog listens and performs commands almost immediately, and they are perplexed why their own dog does not act with the same loyalty. When my husband and I first started seeing one another I was out walking my dog and he can up behind me a scared the **** out of my dog, literally. Other than hiring a professional, we are at wits end. That way, he’ll want to sleep with both you and your husband! 0 0. In between, let your dog rest well - with a chew bone or whatever in another room (separate from hubby, ideally not alone unless the dog prefers that). Why Does My Dog Sleep On Me And Not My Husband? My dog will now be alone for 8 … I never advise “poking the bear,” (so to speak), or in this case, sticking your hand in his bowl while he is eating. Because they are increasing. Here was my suggestion. However, that may not always be the case, as there are many reasons why a dog may be fearful. He has aggressive feelings about things and I try hard to respect that. My girlfriend moved in with me a little over a year ago. My dog is scared of me (shepherd, chihuahua, shepherds, bite) User Name: Remember Me: Password : Please ... day I had to because I had to move him to another room when someone was coming in to fix something and he growled at me and my husband had to get him. Now equating you to that bad memory and is scared of you. For an old dog, this is very hard to tell. Suddenly, there is a large banging noise and the creak of a door down the hall. A common misconception about aggression is that our dogs are actually trying to dominate us. 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. He has nit been fixed. 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. Any dog who is pestered or pushed beyond his level of tolerance could potentially lead to an aggressive response. Why? My wife and i rescued an older dog 2 months ago, so it could bond with her and our daughter. We first started off with my husband laying flat on his back on the floor not moving, I picked her up & I put her on his chest. 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. Hubby does give her treats and she will take them from him. 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. Post by Jessh81985 » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:55 pm I have a Jack Russell Terrier who is terrified of my husband. When my husband goes to pet my pup the dog runs away - if i am holding the dog and my husband … A behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist can help you get to the bottom of the issue. He is terrified of my husband. She’s ok if I leave during the day. Fear and aggression are not the only motivation for a dog to act aggressively towards you, though perhaps one of the more common reasons. 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! Your dog is one of the most precious beings in your life. Does your husband spend time with your dog? Dogs are considered to be some of Don't Miss: How to Keep the Dog Entertained While You're Away. Unfortunately, in your dog's eyes, this type of reaction may seem like a reward.