What about the dog?

So my wife has a dog. She's had it for 11 years now, so she's obviously pretty attached to it. However, he's starting to act really weird. We'll be sitting around watching movies, I'll get up to get something, and he'll take my spot. Nothing to weird in that. But when I tell him to get down sometimes he does it, and sometimes he starts growling. He does the same thing when I try to put him into his cage (for when we're gone). My wife does seem to think it's a big deal, no matter how many times I tell her that if he's the upset about something he could bite her by accident. Can dogs get Alzheimers? Is 11 to young for that sort of thing? Or could something else be afoot?

Maybe he knows you are screwing his master?

He's jealous. She's his person, and you're in the way.

I had a dog that would growl on ocasion. He doesn't think you are the boss. Next time he growls, force him to the floor, roll him on his back and hold his throat and tell him NO until he stops growling. That or box him in the side of the head. If you don't show him you are alpha, the problem will continue. With mine, about a week of that, and she no longer growls at me. Just every one else.

What Toyman01 says ^

Treat your relationship like your the alpha dog of the pack and its a subordinate. Randomly make him perform for you. Even if you use treats, it'll help. When you walk up the stairs does he follow you, or do you follow him. That kind of stuff dogs understand. When you walk up the stairs or through a door, you should be first. When you eat, you eat first. When you get inside and he greets you, ignore him untill you're ready to greet him on your terms. Practice taking food and toys from them too. Nothing shows a bitch whos boss like taking their squeeky rubber shoe.

Wait.. you don't have a cat.

Especially if she had the dog for a considerable amount of time before you came along. In the dogs eyes, you are a big fat ugly jerknose who's stealing her attention.

There are those who call me...Ross. wrote: Nothing shows a bitch whos boss like taking their squeeky rubber shoe.

I just wanted to say that this is awesome.

mtn wrote: Especially if she had the dog for a considerable amount of time before you came along. In the dogs eyes, you are a big fat ugly jerknose who's stealing her attention.

My ex-wife complained that my dog didn't listen to her, and I said she was here first ( and she was here long after the ex-wife too ! .........)

One thing to consider is if the dog doesn't feel well (we all have bad days !)

If it is something totally of character I would check the illness angle. But yeah, you are alpha-dog needs to know that.

Can you think of anything that might have spurred this action? Has the dog felt threatened because of you? A new behavior should have an initator.

Eleven years is old for a dog. Depending on breed, it could be very old. My late collie definitely had dementia late in her life. Still friendly in general, but not so accomodating of strangers, vets, etc. Might be time for a checkup at the vet's.

Toyman01 wrote: I had a dog that would growl on ocasion. He doesn't think you are the boss. Next time he growls, force him to the floor, roll him on his back and hold his throat and tell him NO until he stops growling. That or box him in the side of the head. If you don't show him you are alpha, the problem will continue. With mine, about a week of that, and she no longer growls at me. Just every one else.

Yup, had to do this with my wife's dog. Got tired of him being stubborn, so one night I swept his legs out from under him, picked him up (black lab mutt) and flipped him over, then laid him on the floor while holding him down by his neck. Kept him there for a little while and explained to him just who's house he lived in. Now he stays out of my way and has stopped "taking ownership" of our furniture.

I can't believe that nobody said it yet Bacon !! sometimes you've gotta use an advantage to win favor !

I've never thought this was a very stable dog. Many years ago it bit my wife and actually fractured a bone in her hand. He's usually a very nice dog, if stubborn. But it isn't just me he's growled at. He's growled at my wife too. He'll be moving with her dad down Florida soon, so it really isn't to much of a problem. It just annoys me.

A ride in a Miata?

just for the heck of it... what kind of dog ?

wbjones wrote: just for the heck of it... what kind of dog ?

A dog's a dog when it comes to these scenarios... doesn't matter if it's a German Shep, Rottie, Teacup Poodle, or a total mutt, they all have the same pack behavior wired into their brain.

I think that's why so many small dogs have behavioral issues - people just don't treat them like a dog.

11 is old for a dog. He's probably getting a bit grumpy. I have a Black Mouth Cur bitch that is 12 and she's a bit grumpy now. As in "MY DOGGIE FOOD, I'LL KILL YOU FOR GETTING NEAR IT!!!" as she "guards" the dog food feeder from the other 2. Bubba, full blood Rhodesian Ridgeback and now a young adult, just ignores her, as he is now quick enough to avoid anything walking or crawling on the planet. The other dog, Ginger, just waits until Cheyenne is sleeping or barking at the neighbors.

Anyway, yeah, he's grumpy and he thinks you're his bitch. You need to establish who's in charge. I had to do that recently with Ginger, who has been a new dog since. As he is geriatric, you need to be careful with the whoopin' upside da head stuff, but some put-him-on-the-deck and grab the throat and hollar would probably go a long way. It would also probably be best to do this when the wifey is out shopping. I never, ever tolerate a dog growling at me. You need to get ontop of that right away or you are gonna get bit.

Drewsifer wrote: I've never thought this was a very stable dog. Many years ago it bit my wife and actually fractured a bone in her hand. He's usually a very nice dog, if stubborn. But it isn't just me he's growled at. He's growled at my wife too. He'll be moving with her dad down Florida soon, so it really isn't to much of a problem. It just annoys me.

I'm sorry but a dog that bites (especially it's owner) is like a gun that suddenly fires while it's just sitting there. A gun that goes off when you pull the trigger is fine, like a dog that bites when commanded to or attacked is fine. But a dog that just bites needs to be out of my house, same as a gun that randomly shoots.

Joey

I am getting a new male Pit Bull pup which will be my guard dog at the shop, now this is the dog to beware of the Alfa dog situation and the rules must be set early. That said there is no need to be violent.

A little submission roll never hurt a dog. And it puts them in their place really quickly. Does not hurt their feelings. In fact, they're usually happier when pack hierarchy is clear and they don't need to worry about what their place is.

joey48442 wrote:

Drewsifer wrote: I've never thought this was a very stable dog. Many years ago it bit my wife and actually fractured a bone in her hand. He's usually a very nice dog, if stubborn. But it isn't just me he's growled at. He's growled at my wife too. He'll be moving with her dad down Florida soon, so it really isn't to much of a problem. It just annoys me.

I'm sorry but a dog that bites (especially it's owner) is like a gun that suddenly fires while it's just sitting there. A gun that goes off when you pull the trigger is fine, like a dog that bites when commanded to or attacked is fine. But a dog that just bites needs to be out of my house, same as a gun that randomly shoots. Joey

Trust me, ever since then I've never really trusted this dog. But it's not mine, so I've never had any say in the matter. I suggested getting the dog put to sleep, but her family wasn't having any of that. Thankfully her parents have said without a doubt the dog is going with them. They get to deal with it.

ReverendDexter wrote:

wbjones wrote: just for the heck of it... what kind of dog ?

A dog's a dog when it comes to these scenarios... doesn't matter if it's a German Shep, Rottie, Teacup Poodle, or a total mutt, they all have the same pack behavior wired into their brain. I think that's why so many small dogs have behavioral issues - people just don't treat them like a dog.

I was just curious as to the type off dog....

maybe.. but some breeds are MUCH more stubborn than others when it comes to teaching them. Siberians, for example, might as well have heads of solid concrete when it comes to pounding new ideas into them. As I heard on animal planet.. they value their own opinion more than yours