New night time aggression problem - please help!

S

stlshelti

Forums Novice
In the last 2 months, my 5 year old male shelti has started exhibiting aggressive behavior towards my husband right when we are starting to go back to our bedroom. He gets plenty of exercise every day [at least a 3 mile walk], so I don’t think it is pent up energy. I am afraid he thinks he is protecting me. When my husband is out of town, my dog just trots back to this bed without a peep. I have tried to re-direct him by giving him a ‘sit’ command when I get up from my chair, followed by a ‘come’ command to go back to the bedroom. If this does not work, I tell him he is a bad dog – not something I do often. When he goes quietly to his bed, I praise him. The problem is that his aggression is getting worse. I would like to nip this behavior in the bud. Does anyone think I should use high value treats? He is not super food motivated. Any suggestions would be welcome. He is a wonderful dog the rest of the time.
 
I wonder if putting your sheltie on lead at bedtime and having your husband take the lead and walk him back to your bedroom would help stem this behavior? The message being that your husband is the one who owns the bedroom, not your sheltie, and your husband is the one to give your dog permission to be in the bedroom. Also, if your sheltie is sleeping on your bed...he needs to be off the bed and sleeping on the floor on a bed of his own.

Trini
 
Our pup has his own bed [in our bedroom] and does not sleep in ours. Part of the problem is that our dog [who usually loves my husband] gets aggressive even if I am going to bed first. Do you think I should have him on a leash then? I am certainly willing to try.
 
stlshelti said:
Our pup has his own bed [in our bedroom] and does not sleep in ours. Part of the problem is that our dog [who usually loves my husband] gets aggressive even if I am going to bed first. Do you think I should have him on a leash then? I am certainly willing to try.
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First...good that your sheltie has his own bed on the floor. :smile2: Some dogs can sleep with their owners with zero issues, but for a doggie who is showing any possessive behavior around the bedroom and the bed, giving them human bed permission is a really bad idea.

As to the aggression at bedtime...it really sounds like your dog has decided that your husband doesn't belong in your bedroom for some reason. Yes, I would put your sheltie on lead even when you are going to bed first and have your husband holding the lead so when he decides to head back to the bedroom he has control over your sheltie. That way your sheltie only gets to be in the bedroom because your husband is letting him. I don't know if this will be the solution but I think it is well worth trying for a period of time.

Also, even though getting exasperated with your sheltie's bedtime aggressive behavior is 100% understandable, don't scold in this situation. From your dog's point of view he may relate your being upset with him to your husband being present...and that translates in his head to your husband being the source of your upset and therefore being "bad".

Trini
 
Trini,

Thanks so much. We will try this tonight. What's odd is that once our dog and I are in bed, my husband and wander around the bedroom at will with no problems. Hopefully we can get this resolved.
 
stlshelti said:
Trini,

What's odd is that once our dog and I are in bed, my husband and wander around the bedroom at will with no problems.
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That really is odd...it sounds like the "walk to the bedroom" is the issue. Keep us posted and if the lead idea doesn't work hopefully we can come up with other suggestions to help.

Trini
 
When you say aggression, what exactly is he doing? Is he nipping, barking, growling, showing teeth, does he do this when he is on the ground, on the bed? Where is your husband and where are you in relation to the dog when this occurs.

It's hard to get a clear idea without knowing more about what is going on. There is a chance your dog has been spooked while your husband has been away. I'd be careful of any negative responses in case it makes things worse.

One thing is it sounds like you are the one trying to manage the dog's behaviour. You are better off getting your husband to deal with it. Whether he is spooked or being possessive, try associating your husband in the bedroom with positive things. So have your hubby lead him to the bedroom with a Kong and give your dog the Kong if he goes nicely to his bed. Your husband could be playful when he leads him to the bedroom, give him some treats when he is in the bed. And don't you do anything of those things when your husband is around. Let your dog know that the best things happen when your hubby is there.
 
Caro,

Thanks for your response. Our dog gets very barky [he is usually pretty quiet for a sheltie] and looks like he is going to snap at my husband. Recently he has tried to snap at him. He only does this while we are transitioning from the living room to the bedroom. Once in his bed [on the floor] in our bedroom, he is fine. Last night I rewarded him with a high value treat after I got him to sit, and again when we were in front of my husband on the way out of the living room. After reading your suggestions, I think I will have my husband give him the second treat. I like the idea of my husband being the treat dispenser to reinforce that seeing him is a GOOD thing for our pup.
 
Dear Trini and Caro,

Many many thanks for all your suggestions. After just one week of my husband giving our pup small amounts of high value treats just before we go into the bedroom, things are MUCH better. He gets his treat, we praise him like crazy, and he trots off happily to bed. What a relief to have such a much improved bedtime routine!!! We plan on keeping this pattern up as everyone is a lot happier!
 
stlshelti said:
Dear Trini and Caro,

Many many thanks for all your suggestions. After just one week of my husband giving our pup small amounts of high value treats just before we go into the bedroom, things are MUCH better. He gets his treat, we praise him like crazy, and he trots off happily to bed. What a relief to have such a much improved bedtime routine!!! We plan on keeping this pattern up as everyone is a lot happier!
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That is wonderful news!!!!!!! Keeping that happy pattern from now on is the way to go...good work. :smile2:

Trini
 
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