Help! My dog's a weirdo!

[Purr]

Hey y'all, remember when I posted about my puppy being food aggressive? Well, now he's getting aggressive over other things...like me. I think, anyway. He was laying next to me, just now, on my bed, and one of my kittens (who he loves) jumped up next to me...Thoven started growling at him, but he "talks" so much, I wasn't sure it was really a growl. Anyway, I stood up, and the cat walked across the bed to me, and Beethoven snapped at him . I scolded him for it; because, I don't know what else to do.

There was absolutely no food involved. No treats...no toys, even (which he has no problem sharing). I don't like the fact that I feel like I can't trust my dog...and, this dog is my baby. It's his personality; he's a velcro dog, and so get's most of my attention ('cause, he's always right there). It'll kill me to get rid of him...but, it'll feel worse if he hurts one of my cats. I really need some help. Thanks, y'all, for reading my plea for help!!!

[Purr]

Oh, one more thing: he only does this with my four kittens. He doesn't act aggressive in any way whatsoever, with my older cats. (he's afraid of them, lol. They slap him when he gets too close)

[Carrie]

It sounds like he's getting possessive over you, just like he was over his food. You are valuable to him and he is afraid that the cat will mooch in on you too much.

If it were my dog, I'd take away his bed priveleges for the time being. He is getting the idea that he is going to lay out some ground rules for the "pack." He's forgetting that you are the one that does that, that the job is already taken. I would also work with him in other areas more so that it is reiterated to him that you are the leader...ie: more obedience training.

If he loves the kitten, then try interacting with them both, but in a little more neutral area. If he is always on your bed, then he thinks that is his. If there is a place in the house where everyone hangs out, maybe that would be a good place to be when they are together. You could hand out some little tidbits when he is being "nice." Then maybe he'd associate the kitty with getting good things and that means the kitty must be some kind of wonderful thing to have around. If he growls, I'd be hard pressed to resist a warning sound, "eh eh eh," to be honest. But I wouldn't make too big of a scolding. And then the minute he relaxes and behaves for a few seconds, I'd praise him.

You can also teach the word, "gentle." I use that a lot with Lyric when he gets too roudy with the Chi's. I showed him what gentle meant by petting the little dog very carefully and whispering, "gentle." And even physically holding him back a little while he sniffed or nosed at them. Then rewarding a lot when he was getting it. It sounds weird, but it has worked. He settles right down when I tell him "gennnntle."

It may be that you'll need to seperate them when you're not right there, just for safety sake.

Anyhow....just my .02 worth. Kit may offer some better, more specific ideas.

[Purr]

Thank you Carrie. Yes, it is his favorite of the four kittens; the only one who still plays with him (he's so big now, the others don't like him that much). I'm afraid that if I give him treats for being good, he'll snap at the cat trying to get all of what I've got. Gawd...my dog has a lot of behavior problems, huh?? I love him though...

Yeah, maybe I won't let him on the bed with me anymore. He sleeps up here (on my pillow, LOL). Especially when I'm on the bed reading (or on the computer). Thanks again!

[Purr]

The worst part is, I probably made him that way *groan*...

[kparx]

i would probably limit his time with you. so he doesnt get to possesive over you.

[Purr]

Hey, there's a thought! Thanks, Kparx!

[Purr]

I have to work on that, anyway. He doesn't like to be away from me...so, I could "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak...(I've always hated that saying)

[kparx]

lol

[Carrie]

I'm afraid that if I give him treats for being good, he'll snap at the cat trying to get all of what I've got.

Yes, that is true, so I would take him aside, away from the cat and give him a treat. It may be that too much time elapses between his "being good" and getting the reward, but you could make a fuss over him with praise while he's being good and skip the treat or give it to him elsewhere. Again, you may need to give your attention to those two animals at seperate times in seperate places. It is strange that if he likes the kitty so much that he would snap at him, even though he is wanting your undivided attention, or so it seems.

Kparx, I think has a good point. Maybe when you do give him attention, have him earn it. Anything good that he gets, have him earn it. Let him think (for a while) that he's not all that and that you like the kitty and he better be nice. LOL.

[Purr]

Yeah, I'll try that. I think he's a selfish little bugger, and doesn't want to share me with the poor cat (whom I've had longer than him). Otherwise, he's fine. He's never snapped at this particular cat before, either. The cat's so tolerant, he lets the puppies lick and drool all over him...he's a funny guy.

[flyndog]

I'd think about implementing a NILIF program for Beethoven. I'd probably think about getting rid of the kittens, too...but then that's just me. 8 cats is just way over my personal cat tolerance level!

[Purr]

Kit what's an NILIF program? I've never heard of that...

I'm starting to think that it was actually a blanket the dog was guarding from the cat. He found his way back onto my bed today, and was laying on the blanket, and he growled at the cat again. (same cat) I didn't notice it then, but last night, he was laying on the same blanket. It's a brown faux fur blanket, and he and Bear love it to death (Bear sucks on it, so cute). I pulled him off the bed when he growled today, but, I don't know if that was right, either.

LOL Kit, I hate to say it, but I'd get rid of my dog before my cats. I've had the cats longer, they come first. I don't want to get rid of anybody, so I'm hoping I can train this possessivness out of him. We'll be moving shortly, to a place where the cats can go outside and play (they're all crammed in the house right now), so I'm hoping that will help, too.

Thanks for your suggestions! I was jus wondering if anybody could tell me what that NILIF thing is. Thanks!

[flyndog]

Nothing In Life Is Free. Dog works for petting, works for food, works for toys. Dogs wants food, he sits (or whatever you want him to do) first. Wants to play? You have the toys. You decide when and what the games are. Before play, he sits (or whatever you want him to do) first. Dog wants to be on your bed, he sits(or whatever you ask him to do) first. Getting to do what he wants to do is his reward. You control all resources. All food, all toys, all prime spots to sit.

[Purr]

Aaahhh...thank you Kit. That makes sense.