May have to give my dog up :-(

devils_vixen

Had fur baby since she was a pup. She is staff x whippet and we've been to training classes and she's very good with her commands however my husband cannot give me a cuddle without her aggressivly barking, if she is lying on couch with me and he just goes to stand up she's flew off me a couple on a couple of occasions.
I have two kids and I now cannot play with them without the dog getting agitated. I was sitting next to dd tonight and she said something cheeky but funny so I went to tickle her and the dog came out her bed hackles up aggressive bark going to go for me. I just don't understand where this behaviour has come from?
She's well socialised, been brought up with kids and loved - never punished. Has anyone expereinced this at all? I am devastated :-(

Red-Squirrel_2

Totally easy to sort, have you ever watched 'Its me or the Dog' with Victoria Stilwell? This seems to be one of the most common things she deals with. Watch it if not, its on weekday mornings I think. Probably on youtube too.

One really good tip was for the person who gets barked/growled at to walk backwards towards the couch they want to sit on. Its less threatening to the dog and they don't react in the same way as someone coming face on. Then once the person has sat down without being attacked they give the dog a treat so that the dog associates them with positive things.

As for the kids, the dog is protecting them too, he doesn't understand that what looks like you lounging to attack them is just tickling and play.

elsien

Get a 1/1 session with a good behaviourist, one that uses positive reinforcement and is a member of an association such as the APDT. By recommendation, if you can.
Although this behaviouir is sortable, it needs someone to be there to really see what's happening, rather than diagnosis by internet.

Soot2006

elsien wrote: »

Get a 1/1 session with a good behaviourist, one that uses positive reinforcement and is a member of an association such as the APDT. By recommendation, if you can.
Although this behaviouir is sortable, it needs someone to be there to really see what's happening, rather than diagnosis by internet.

^ This

It's an "easy" fix -- in the sense that the right behaviourist will easily help you learn how to modify your dog's behaviour. It's not easy if you do it the wrong way.

Important questions to get you started on the right track: How old is the dog now? Is she spayed / when was she spayed? When did this behaviour start? What is she fed? What is her exercise plan (and who implements it)? Who goes to her training classes? Have you discussed this with the training class facilitator?

tiz

Check your pet insurance - it may even cover the costs of a behaviourist.

adandem

Not sure if you have Facebook but there is an excellent group on there which is run by experts. It's called dog training advice and support.
They will point you in the direction of reputable behaviourist too.