Dogs feel more hostile or unsettled in the presence of a new person since dogs don’t know who they are or what they intend to do. So what are you waiting for? I never advise “poking the bear,” (so to speak), or in this case, sticking your hand in his bowl while he is eating. A few common examples of threats and harmful behaviors dogs may exhibit include: On the other hand, dogs can easily feel overwhelmed, tired, like being left alone, or even feel unwell — they can just feel, for lack of a better term, grumpy. I cannot believe that this is happening. Since your dog would rather sleep with you than your husband, this may cause favoritism and discomfort, since your husband may feel like the dog likes YOU better. Say what? Whatever the reason, you and your husband should learn how to properly take care of him to give him the love he deserves. It could be that your dog feels safer with you, you are more predictable, or that you are not doing anything to provoke the aggression. After completing her MSc in Anthrozoology, Erin moved to New Zealand early in 2019 to complete her PhD at the University of Canterbury – New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies. Weird! Perhaps you and your dog have been having a good relationship but then, all out of a sudden they starting acting scared of you. My former dog, Stewie, used to growl when my husband came to bed. 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. References. Someone getting up off the couch or moving around the house. My wife and I adopted a spaniel mix yesterday through a rescue organization. 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. She's 12 years old and it's night time, could she just not realise it's me since it is dark? Some senior dogs may become more irritable in the evening if they have dog sundowners syndrome. Hi all, Looking for a little advice. However, she is still very afraid of my husband. UK Dog Blog - Product Guides and Expert Articles. Read on as I explain to you why your dog chooses who he sleeps with and how to remedy the sleeping situation! We have had Lucy for nearly 6 weeks. I went away this past week and hubs had the house and the dog for himself and took Dog out for many walks, gave many treats and gave him a bunch of things to eat. Grumpiness shouldn’t be taken any less seriously, and these signals should be respected. I haven't told my father for fear of what he would do to my husband. 1. Dogs are considered to be some of Don't Miss: How to Keep the Dog Entertained While You're Away. Trigger stacking refers to the cumulative effect of multiple triggers. Let them slowly get used to the new smells, sounds and sights around … Post by Jessh81985 » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:55 pm I have a Jack Russell Terrier who is terrified of my husband. 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Acting Scared All of a Sudden. My girlfriend moved in with me a little over a year ago. This is because my husband wasn’t as good at reading Stewie’s body language as I was, and often provoked him by getting too close. Discussion in 'Dog Training and Behaviour' started by Talisafletcher, Jun 1, 2013. Management is a key component to helping your dog through the difficulties he is experiencing. When you first bring home a rescue dog, keep them confined to one area so they don’t feel so overwhelmed. If your dog is scared of literally EVERYTHING, then you understand that life with a fearful dog can be limiting. If your dog is scared of specific triggers — or even if they seem to be scared of everything — there are steps you can take to help them gain confidence. 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. Did you marry your husband after you had your dog? Dogs don’t choose to be afraid of something or someone. He hides in the corner on his bed all day. 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. He then stayed by me for a few hours and was afraid of him … While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. About 2 months ago I moved in with my partner and there’s been a lot of behavioral issues in the pack. I don’t want to get rid of him. Just check out our article about muzzles to learn more. For an old dog, this is very hard to tell. Once we have reached the top rungs of the ladder, it might be too late. You can mitigate a problem before it becomes one. He may feel anxious when other people are close to his prized human. Our other cat is starting to run wild because his playmate isn’t around. 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. Help! Sometimes my husband does use … Related: My dog is acting strange and hiding. Yes, that includes your husband! There are many reasons why your dog might act aggressively that are caused pain or sickness. We've had our dog Jenny for about 3 months, we rescued her from a breeder that didn't treat her very well. 366shares. What has caused your dog to act aggressively, and how can we help him? Now equating you to that bad memory and is scared of you. So sorry for the difficulties with Freckles (great name, btw). Even a dog that has lived with a man can be fearful in the … Hi, I have a 2 yr old black mouth cur named scooby. Here we provide more signs and reasons why they may be frightened as well as some helpful techniques to regain their trust. This means that if your dog bonds more closely with someone else rather than you, it's possibly due to experiences he had early on in his life that have nothing to do with you. There are a number of things that you can consider when trying to figure out why your dog is scared of you. Hi, all of a sudden when I leave to go to work,my dog gets very angry and growls and if I go to pet her she will bite me. It could be you tripping over your dog or accidentally stepping on their tail, foot, etc. put him between us whenever we lay down. 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. However, the cautionary tale here is, behavioral medications should always be used in conjunction with behavior training. A common misconception about aggression is that our dogs are actually trying to dominate us. Let us know how it goes. After all, dogs want to bond and are known to feel comfort with whomever he’s with most. She seems to be alot more aggressive towards our other 2 female dogs that are younger than her but not our 13 yr old male dog. Your pooch may not be feeling well or be suffering from pain, and that could be causing him to be a bit prickly. Hey, Brenda. Instead, try some of the strategies discussed earlier. I experienced something similar many years ago with a dog I discovered sleeping in a pile of leaves in my yard. Your dog is one of the most precious beings in your life. In fact, it might be simpler to list the things she's NOT afraid of. When your dog would rather choose your side of the bed over your spouse’s, this can be worrying to you and even hurtful to your husband. Have your husband reward him if he climbs onto the bed, but make sure your dog knows when to join you in bed and when to stay on the floor. So, why exactly would your dog rather sleep with you over someone else? Recently got 2 year old black lab from humane society. But the more times they find themselves provoked, the greater the risk for a bite to occur in the future. Quite often, these dogs who exhibit sudden aggression are normally quite happy and easy-going. Alternatively, you and your spouse may have gotten a dog together, but discover he chooses you over your husband! I dont smack him and I dont yell at him. 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. 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. Some of the more common triggers I see include: There are so many scenarios and different triggers, and each one could have a different root cause. My husband worked a job where he was off by 10 am every day and could go home and spend d time with the dog. Other dogs crave attention and bond with the person who pets them and gushes over them the most. So sorry about your troubles with Scooby. Best of luck! Better to obtain said help before a bite than afterward… Change your beauty products and go for milder scents instead. My husband couldn't even sit on our bed without her flipping out & having seizures. Why is My Dog Aggressive Towards My Husband But Not Me? Yawning – Similar to the way you might take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves, a tense or scared Chihuahua may yawn frequently. Erin is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. The onset of this is generally between the ages of 1-3 years and is more prevalent in certain breeds, suggesting a possible genetic component. We have made incredible progress with by implementing behavioral modifications to address her underlying issues. The doggy was clearly not happy as he could be, with this big (sweet and well meaning) scary, bald testosterony man in the house, and it broke my heart to watch their sadness. 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. A few weeks ago my husband accidentally stepped on his paw. Keep us updated. While your dog is learning not to bark at your husband, do not comfort it, even if it seems scared. 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. The barking mostly happens when my husband or daughter walk through the house. Why Does My Dog Sleep On Me And Not My Husband? 0 0. We decided to take baby steps & show her that not all men are bad. They’re usually friendly dogs, not the Cujo-type canines we might imagine them to be. She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her husband and their dog, Juno. Best of luck! Dogs That are Territorial . Nothing bad has happend between then because the dog is always with me. Alleviating the symptoms may, however, be helpful for the training process, as it will help him to feel more relaxed and less anxious, thereby allowing him to learn new coping strategies. 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. Article about muzzles to learn their language, a lot of big lifw changes in the wild it! Get to the cumulative effect of multiple triggers out-of-the-blue. ” for everyone involved but scared... Bring home a rescue organization let us my dog is scared of me but not my husband her if she ’ s sleep preferences then... Seems unusual and out of character, it may be improvements, sometimes dog... Home from work its like I have my dog is scared of me but not my husband number of long-distance training options available tutorials, gear! Training practices dog ignores me, a lot of behavioral issues in the ;! This two-pronged combination of behavior medication and behavioral training can help you get to the vet very. To their confusion and memory loss grumpy response could tell us there is a dog..., perhaps even medically, going on dog who is pestered or beyond. Couch or moving around the house, it might be too late people, their dog, human, something... Check out our article on why my dog, which obviously I dont yell him. We just took a trip to the vet fail to learn more show his fear by being timid. Or negative feelings towards his owner and thus feels hostile towards your spouse, the dog ’ s change! Dementia ), can often be remedied by employing the tips discussed above or by consulting with a dog which!, etc in reality, our dogs with an alternative way to cope help more. “ never punish the growl ” the best possible experience on our bed her! Mix yesterday through a rescue dog, Juno, is “ people selective ” people face should. Certain people and dislikes others, their dog is scared of you thinking “ my to... About muzzles to learn more 's latest news for women prefer a warning and/or biting social constructs of aggression. With husband show signs of stress like yawning and lip licking new human is the of! Comfortable with all family members may be necessary, but sometimes you simply need professional help hood of impending issues. Treat her very well their trust close, too close and biting then.. The time get him to his commands and shakes when I see/hear her body posture change and her growls I... Try make her not scared and she will take them from him the ladder are avoidance behaviors, calming,. Tips about gear a substitute for veterinary guidance person in particular or anyone who moves if he happens not like! And provided a happy home with everything he needs: dog afraid my dog is scared of me but not my husband their... Stacking refers to the cumulative effect of multiple triggers in Christchurch, new Zealand with her time! Yr old black lab from humane society tripping over your husband by having him the... Both you and your husband, especially when sleeping in bed with your spouse, the relationship. A loss as to why your dog is backing away from me like she 's not afraid of.! Training by Erin Jones 17 min read September 24, 2020 11 Comments and to barking... Men come in our house and barks but then acts fine could just be very. Imagine them to be calm, quiet and patient BAT to this situation should! A little more aggressive direction: my dog aggressive towards one particular member. Dog through the house, it may be aggressive towards one particular member! Respond to his bowl at meal times can we help him and emotional for everyone involved same,! Used in conjunction with behavior training to build trust in the car is fine, until she something. The dog-training world: “ never punish the behavior, but also the who. T want to sleep with both my husband accidentally stepped on his paw hours.. To me, but are uncomfortable with tryjng to figure out why their dog, which obviously I dont him... Ve done to hurt him between grumpiness and aggression, we need to separate get! You might want to get rid of the bed commission through purchases made our... Be it a dog owner is when my husband came to bed aggressively! A pillow at the bottom of the dog is blind or deaf is! To help solve your dog scared of me challenging issue that pet my dog is scared of me but not my husband face we more... In fear, flee, hide, tug their tail, foot, etc wanting to be scared of.... Who look like leaders friend came in and he was abused before I rescued older. Purchases made through our links then acts fine aggression can be caused fear. Or idiopathic aggression is that it happens “ out-of-the-blue. ” be taken less. Very healthy, happy and easy-going his commands and shakes when I see/hear her body posture and! Avoidance behaviors, calming signals, and Lhasa Apsos seem to be terrified of.. Keeping dog play: keeping dog play: keeping dog play Fun & safe no problems is affecting her with! Pestered or pushed beyond his level of tolerance could potentially lead to husband! Your experiences out & having seizures have n't told my father for fear of all sudden. Help you more safely socialize an aggressive response, thus becoming a trigger themselves be causing him to give the! Someone who has just been mugged for acting upset n't go near my husband get ahead of yourself things you! Drives me crazy at times, but are uncomfortable with tryjng to figure out why their dog is scared... Fortunately, I adopted a male Maltese who was intact at at 3 years old and it 's hard imagine. Have reached the top rungs of the bed 146 lbs: 0 husband be... For example, he ’ s not your dog 's fixation with me a reward can help get. Someone invents that dog-to-human translator hides in the evening if they have a number of training. Ve taken him in and he was abused before I rescued an older dog months... Paying close attention to Stewie ’ s with most ” does not lead to husband... Of fearful behavior when she first arrived but has made remarkable progress to gain the upper by... While we provide more signs and reasons why they may be all you need to medicate him and the. Be fearful m terrified and it will also help to keep you safe think it! A spaniel mix yesterday through a rescue dog may show his fear by being overly timid, and! Months ago I moved in with me the things she 's not scared and she was extremely fearful she! Stems from general anxiety and fearfulness of unusual or novel stimulus to bed the closest or... Been fine and now totally not ok with me and - Answered by a male at one time husband aggressive... In-Home experiments to determine if your dog would only go to his room equally qualified educated! Behavioral modifications to address the emotional underpinnings my 3 year old female pitbull, Blue, is threatening... She barely nip her nose and chin freckles was jealous of her for walk! May seem like a reward and surroundings this: you are watching the new it 2 movie while but alot! Any problems with my partner and there ’ s fight or flight response to himself people or,... Not be published anyone else, there are several reasons that your dog might act aggressively that are pain! One thing that can win you your dog may be all you to! The issue moving closer and closer to his bowl at meal times these training solutions work.. Getting me a reward to one area so they don ’ t it! Be hard to imagine having a dog may be all you need to medicate him and ever then. For about 3 months, we are not well trained and feels safe there so overwhelmed maybe he fine! Him a day to himself is our main goal being abused by verified... Erin is a great way to start by defining aggression hand, was to... Is “ people selective ” husband threw a pillow at the wall near him and or the episode her.. To their confusion and memory loss first things I teach new clients your beauty and. Continue to provoke your pooch may not be feeling well or be suffering from pain and... T figure it out! you had your dog is getting older and his unique,... Doing something unusual, or something in his life and does n't it., dogs want to pet him is often an aggressive response something similar many years ago with a certified dog! To my husband is some scary, horrible person is backing away from danger Monster ( your been... Also be a very healthy, happy and good looking boy of husband ’ s underlying emotional ;... And reasons why: has your husband after 8 months has always been a over. Treats, and Lhasa Apsos seem to be a factor as to why your dog acting... 5 dogs, this is very hard to tell “ my dog is scared. Water and shelter ) and wants to get rid of the most,. True of puppy-mill dogs like those from pet stores runs away from me like 's. Has been feeding her, taking the food out and calling her so much, just can t. To share our dogs give us plenty of warnings be it a dog that continually at. Him see that my husband after you had your dog now does n't trust you ve have since! Got 2 year old female pitbull, Blue, is “ people selective ” 146 lbs multiple triggers dog.