Why is our 8 yr old Bichon female suddenly trying to keep her 5 yr old half-sister from going to bed with us?

Question

We have a doggy ramp leading up to the bed. The older one has started growling, barking and trying to block the younger from coming up the ramp at night. Now if she has to go outside (doggy door) at night, she will sleep on the floor instead of trying to get in the bed. Last night the older one attacked the smaller younger one. Sounded as though she was going to chew her up. Both dogs have been inside and have slept on the bed as long as we have had them. During the day, they lay side by side, and run and play together. The younger one had pancreatitis a couple of months ago, and as a result of several trip to the Vet's, has not wanted to go with us to run quick errands in our cars. I have taken the older one by herself on some short trips with me recently, which I never did before. Both used to love getting to go.
This is the only change of any type that has happened. What's going on?

Answer 1

This is a domanance issue, the older one feels like she has moved up the pecking order of the pack because she gets to go with the humans more and now she is pushing for her rightful place as bigger dog in the bed. The younger dog isn't giving up and being submissive so the fighting begins. Grab some dog domanance behavior books and read up it will help.

For now you need to make the older dog stay off the bed until the younger one is up there. If she trys to jump up after you tell her to wait, growl at her and physically put her butt back on the floor. This is going to tell her that you being the Alpha (top dog) expect the younger dog to get in bed and it isn't her place to force the issue.

Once you start trying to get through to the dog on a domanance issue it can create a bigger mess at first, especially if you aren't the Alpha and the dog thinks it's in charge of the family. You must make the dog wait to eat till you say it's ok when you set the food down. ALWAYS go out the door first and let the dog follow you. Only time a dog goes out the door first is if you are letting it outside and you are not going out. To be honest part of it is not letting them sleep where you sleep on the bed, they can have a bed of their own in your room, or in the very least make them stay at the foot of the bed.

Check out this link, it's about dog vs. kid, but applys exactly for the behavior you are talking about.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdogchild.htm

Answer 2

Sounds like jealousy in this case. Although sometimes older ones will do that when they start feeling the aches of being old and younger dogs are to much for them. Still, from what you have said this sounds like jealousy, but only you know the body language you are seeing. It could be that the older one just doesn't want the physical interaction of a younger dog that close because she is starting to feel her age.

Answer 3

I am very sorry to hear this, it's never good for 2 dogs to be jealous of each other.

Don't let the bigger dog feel as if it can get away with this behavior. When it stops the smaller dog from jumping up on the bed, say 'NO' and go down to get the smaller one. If they start to fight, put the bigger one on the floor. She can jump back on, and stay on, as long as she doesn't start a fight.

You need to tell her that they are both equally loved and not one of them means more to you than the other.