My dog growls and tries to bite whenever we try to get him off the bed or couch. What should I do?

Answer 1

Buy your own bed and couch and leave his alone.

Answer 2

Your dog hanging out on the bed is a sign that he believes that he is the dominant one in the relationship. You need to be sure that you and your spouse (and any human for that matter) are the leaders in your pack. Because of his current aggressive behavior, I would definately recommend some type of obedience training with an accredited trainer to help you get him to a calmer state of mind. Be sure you check the trainer's credentials and ask what type of methods he or she uses (ie: positive reinforcement versus negative or dominance). Since your dog is already showing signs of aggression, I wouldn't attempt to do any physical dominance play with him at this point. Don't try towering over him, reaching over his head, or play the staring game when he's in his aggressive zone.

When you can, manipulate the environment so the dog doesn't have a chance in the first place to do what he shouldn't be doing. Keep the bedroom door closed when you aren't home so he can't get on the bed, and when you ARE home, catch him in the act and stop him before he jumps. If he gets on the couch, try flipping the couch cushions up when you leave for the day, or keep him in a crate.

There are other ways you can convince your dog that you are the dominant one in the pack that don't involve physically manhandling him. For starters, keep him off the bed and/or couch. Pack leaders always have the best vantage points! Make sure that you go through all doorways before your dog. If you have to, have your spouse/roommate/another person hold the dog's leash while you exit and then hand him off. When you feed your dog, take a small piece of his kibble and pretend to eat it before placing the dish on the floor. If the dog is blocking your way, don't go around him--make him move! You are the one in charge.

Hopefully this will help you out a bit. I would definately check into your local trainers and find someone reputable that has experience with dominance related aggression.

Answer 3

Your dog clearly has a sense of entitlement. We know who runs the home there. My first suggestion is get him fixed if not already fixed, provided you are not planning to breed, this calms the male dog down considerably. Secondly, depending on his age, I would band him from the furniture and give him his own bed or chair, something he can call his own and something you will not try to evict him from. If he is a small dog, getting bit will hurt but it will not kill, so simply stare him down, and firmly, loudly point to the floor and tell him "off", should he not move then squirt him with a water bottle that will work on a big dog. Reward him when he is on his own bed by leaving him alone. Even dogs need quiet time. When you are not home you can lock him up alone with water, food, toys and his very own bed. Keep him away from your furniture when you are not there. When you are give him a good squirt, while saying "off", if he invades your furniture. Remember, there are two types of dogs that growl, one that says I am bluffing but you do not know that or that other that is saying, I will take your arm off. If he is big he has established some behaviors that should have been addressed when he was a puppy, he can hurt you badly if he is not a bluffer. Choose your battles wisely at this point in the game. He has had his way with the couch for some time now it sounds.

Also, I would highly recommend some dog training classes. Working with him to be obedient on leash and off leash on the "ground" hands on training so to speak. He can not be number one if he is a big dog. That will not do at all and it can be dangerous, even to your guest that do not know your dogs dispostion. You have to be in control at all times.

Good luck

Answer 4

Um, yeah, somewhere your dog has decided he's the boss- bad news!!

Naturally, dogs are social beings, and therefore they have certain distinct social behaviors. "Alpha" dogs are the ones in charge- they're the literal leaders of the pack. Alpha's will get away with a lot more, or at least try to get away with more than the other members of the pack. They are supposed to be bossy, more agressive, first in line, they get more privelages, sleep higher, etc.

In your home, your dog seems to think he's the alpha-- WRONG!!!! You and EVERY other human being should be alpha before he is.... Start enforcing it. When you (or anyone else) take him for a walk, make him walk beside you, not out front. When you and he go through a doorway, push your way through first. When you eat, kick him out of the kitchen. Do what you can to get him off the bed at night- and don't let him back up!!!

When he's on the couch, sit on him... If he's a bigger dog- Lab or bigger, just plop right down- he'll move!! If your dog is smaller, still sit down- just control how much of your weight is on him. You don't want to crush him to death, just make it uncomfortable enough for him that he'll move. Have you and your family (or friends) fill up the couch this way, and he'll have nowhere else to go except to the floor.

Another idea I read about in a book- "dominance training." Have your dog lay down, and hold him down. Put your hand on his neck, and hold him to the floor/ground till he stops squirming. This re-enforces your "alpha"-ness, reminds him who the boss is...

Best of luck...

Answer 5

If it is only when she is on the couch or bed, maybe she is possessing the place of origin. Maybe she has become possessive. Instead of picking her up, sit next to her real close, does she do anything? If it is only when you are picking her up then she may have become afraid that you will drop her or maybe it's how you pick her up. My dog cries if you touch her underarms, she's just sensitive there. I would do the test of sitting close to her. If she is okay with this then I would try picking her up differently, maybe very very slowly and by lifting her from her bottom rather than touching her sides or underarms and talk softly and gently to her when you do it. If you can coax her by being ever so gentle and sweet talking her then I would take her to the vet to see if possibly she has injured herself. Some dogs when they are sleeping don't like to be woken up. Could it be this?

Answer 6

You need to show him you're the boss not him. He's being territorial, and he's staked claim on those areas. My dog did that kind of stuff to me when I first got him. He thought he was in charge, major alpha dog. Most people probably won't agree with me on this, but I ended up wrestling him down and getting him into a head lock and yelled no at him till he calmed down. Probably wasn't smart on my part, but hey it actuallly worked for me, he's been a teddy bear ever since and won't even think about growling at me. Now before anyone gets all huffy, this is a 90+ lb shepherd/yellow lab that I was not going to let run my house. And I'll admit he got smacked a few times. I know they don't advocate that, but he was a very stubborn dog that wouldn't listen. Now I just raise my voice if he's being bad.

Maybe also try giving him his own pillow/pet bed, and moving him (carefully) to that, then praise him and say good boy, "dogs name's" bed good boy. Just be persistent, but make sure he knows you won't tolerate his growling.

Answer 7

A dog should never sleep on the bed with you it makes the dog think that it is the master and not you so I would try to put him in a kennel for the night and if he/he wines ignore him/her. I don't know what to do about the couch though

Answer 8

The dog is displaying what is generally referred to as "resource guarding" behavior. He's taken possession of the bed / couch and is challenging you for dominance. A dog who growls and snaps at you is a dog who has no respect for you as his "alpha". You need to put a stop to this behavior immediately, or it may escalate.

You need to take the dominant role (without hitting, kicking or swatting at the dog -- as that only teaches him to be fearful you rather than respect you.) Dogs generally do not respect owners who mollycoddle them, are inconsistent, or who yell and scream a lot.

Try this:

Any time the dog attempts to snap at you, wrap your fingers around his muzzle and shut his mouth. Hold his mouth shut (but don't squeeze it or try to hurt him), and tell him calmly but firmly, "No bite." Then release his muzzle. If he tries to nip you again, repeat the process (hold his mouth shut and command him not to bite). And keep doing this until he complies with your command. Once he complies, give him a lot of praise for being a good, obedient dog.

To keep the dog off the furniture: Stop the dog BEFORE he gets on the furniture. The minute you see the dog heading for the couch or bed tell him calmly but firmly, "No. Off the furniture". Go to him, take him by the collar, and escort him to where you want him to be. If he tries to get back on the furniture, repeat your command, and walk him to where you want him to be. Once he's settled somewhere OFF of the furniture, give him a lot of praise and attention.

If you find him already on the couch or bed, give him your off command and take him by the collar to remove him from the furniture. If he growls or snaps at you, close his mouth and give him the no bite command.

If you remain calm and firm, and are consistent with your efforts, you dog will come to respect you as its "alpha" and obey your commands.

Answer 9

Mine does the same thing get.I take a spray bottle filled with ice cold water I spray it on them right in the face.Some dogs hate water they don't like to have water sprayed in their face.

Always keep the spray bottle with you spray him with it he Will get the hint and he Will learn. Also give him an small reward for obeying you give him a treat or give him big hug tell him what a good boy he is.And tell him how much you love him. Never hit him cause he's not obeying you.

Answer 10

Don't allow him up there. He thinks he's the boss. You need to reestablish dominance.
1.) Make sure YOU eat before you feed HIM.
2.) Don't allow him to enter or exit a room BEFORE you. He should always go LAST.
3.) Don't let him up on the furniture. Use a firm voice.
4.) Crate him OR keep him on a leash, EVEN INDOORS. You don't have to keep hold of the leash, but it's there if you need to control him.
Once you have reestablished your dominance keep it. You can eliminate the leash thing at this time unless you see him regress.
Just stay on top of it.

Answer 11

You need to go to the library and look at some books there are lots on dog behavior and believe me they help you could also watch Cesar Milion on discovery channel he is great and I bet it would help you a lot ! You need to make the dog aware that you are the dominate one (should be you) and once he knows that he should do what he is told with out any question or reason!