I needed to talk/vent/get advice from people who understand that pets are more than just animals, and that they all have their own personalities and behavioral issues. I even contemplated putting this in the behavior section of the forums, but its about my dog, so I didn't.
Here's what's going on: Bjourne will be 2 in December. He is a siberian husky/lab mix, and hes a sweetheart. He is just a love bug...but here lately, my sweet dog has turned into a hell hound! He is usually well behaved...I mean sure, he misbehaves, but hes a dog..he's going to get into trouble at times. I am now 3½ months pregnant, and I think he senses this change and it is contributing to his rotton behavior. We rarely let him sleep in our bed because 1) He weighs 75 pounds, and 2) I was concerned that he would chew up everything in the house out of sheer boredom, so we put him in his kennel at night and during the day for the few hours we are at work. I started the habit of him sleeping in the bed when my husband was at work during the night, and I let Bjourne sleep on the bed with me. He did fine. We have let him sleep on our bed on other occasions. But here recently, he roots himself onto the bed WAY before we go to bed and refuses to move. He antagonizes the cats. Like if they try to drink out of his water bowl, he pushes them away, or he gets in their faces until they smack him in his hardheaded head, and he is just all around being bratty.
Well, last night was the catalyst. My husband has been complaining that Bjourne ignores his orders. We spent a lot of time training him with the same command, such as if we are out walking and he tries to put trash or something in his mouth, all we have to say is "No, leave it." And he will, or we tell him to sit, or lay down, he knows to hit the bell on the door if he has to go potty (this he taught himself.) and generally speaking, he is a well behaved dog. I dont know, maybe he sees the cats running amuck and he decided he could do it too. So, last night, I was journaling about my pregnancy and Bjourne came and jumped up on the foot of the bed. My husband got things together and was trying to take Bjourne out for the last time that night. Bjourne refused to go. He refused to leave the bed. My husband tugged on his collar, Bjourne balked, he even went so drastic as to physically pick up this dog and try to carry him to the front door. The whole time Bjournes legs were kicking and flailing, and I was trying not to laugh. No sooner did my husband put him down and Bjourne was back on the bed, looking smug AND defiant. So, I explained to my husband, that I sometimes get some newspaper and roll it up and tell him I will spank him if he doesnt do what I am asking. I have only had to tap him once on the butt in the whole time I have had him. I don't hit my animals, and Bjourne came from a shelter where he had been abused. When I got him as a puppy, he had cuts that were healing on his head from where he had been hit with the but of a pistol, so I am beyond hesitant to physically discipline him.
My husband tried it, and Bjourne literally ignored him. So, I got out of bed, took the newspaper, banged it on my hand, looked him in the eye and told him he needed to go outside and potty, NOW. And I said it firm. He went right away. He came back to bed, and we had no problems with him.
At 5:45 this morning, I hear my husband fighting with him again to go out and potty. Once again, Jeremy did the same thing that I did, and Bjourne just ignored him. The minute I sat up and got his attention and told him to go potty, he went.
I don't understand...I think my dog is going through the terrible 2's!!!! And I have to re-train him to stay out of the bed, along with the cats because of the baby. I want to be fair to them, and have no intentions of giving any of the pets up. They are my babies, too.
Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Other people are like "Hes just a dog. Spank him and be done with it." But its not that simple. I think he senses the change and I think hes more clingy when he knows I dont feel well.
I will try to post a picture of him tonight.
Here's what's going on: Bjourne will be 2 in December. He is a siberian husky/lab mix, and hes a sweetheart. He is just a love bug...but here lately, my sweet dog has turned into a hell hound! He is usually well behaved...I mean sure, he misbehaves, but hes a dog..he's going to get into trouble at times. I am now 3½ months pregnant, and I think he senses this change and it is contributing to his rotton behavior. We rarely let him sleep in our bed because 1) He weighs 75 pounds, and 2) I was concerned that he would chew up everything in the house out of sheer boredom, so we put him in his kennel at night and during the day for the few hours we are at work. I started the habit of him sleeping in the bed when my husband was at work during the night, and I let Bjourne sleep on the bed with me. He did fine. We have let him sleep on our bed on other occasions. But here recently, he roots himself onto the bed WAY before we go to bed and refuses to move. He antagonizes the cats. Like if they try to drink out of his water bowl, he pushes them away, or he gets in their faces until they smack him in his hardheaded head, and he is just all around being bratty.
Well, last night was the catalyst. My husband has been complaining that Bjourne ignores his orders. We spent a lot of time training him with the same command, such as if we are out walking and he tries to put trash or something in his mouth, all we have to say is "No, leave it." And he will, or we tell him to sit, or lay down, he knows to hit the bell on the door if he has to go potty (this he taught himself.) and generally speaking, he is a well behaved dog. I dont know, maybe he sees the cats running amuck and he decided he could do it too. So, last night, I was journaling about my pregnancy and Bjourne came and jumped up on the foot of the bed. My husband got things together and was trying to take Bjourne out for the last time that night. Bjourne refused to go. He refused to leave the bed. My husband tugged on his collar, Bjourne balked, he even went so drastic as to physically pick up this dog and try to carry him to the front door. The whole time Bjournes legs were kicking and flailing, and I was trying not to laugh. No sooner did my husband put him down and Bjourne was back on the bed, looking smug AND defiant. So, I explained to my husband, that I sometimes get some newspaper and roll it up and tell him I will spank him if he doesnt do what I am asking. I have only had to tap him once on the butt in the whole time I have had him. I don't hit my animals, and Bjourne came from a shelter where he had been abused. When I got him as a puppy, he had cuts that were healing on his head from where he had been hit with the but of a pistol, so I am beyond hesitant to physically discipline him.
My husband tried it, and Bjourne literally ignored him. So, I got out of bed, took the newspaper, banged it on my hand, looked him in the eye and told him he needed to go outside and potty, NOW. And I said it firm. He went right away. He came back to bed, and we had no problems with him.
At 5:45 this morning, I hear my husband fighting with him again to go out and potty. Once again, Jeremy did the same thing that I did, and Bjourne just ignored him. The minute I sat up and got his attention and told him to go potty, he went.
I don't understand...I think my dog is going through the terrible 2's!!!! And I have to re-train him to stay out of the bed, along with the cats because of the baby. I want to be fair to them, and have no intentions of giving any of the pets up. They are my babies, too.
Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Other people are like "Hes just a dog. Spank him and be done with it." But its not that simple. I think he senses the change and I think hes more clingy when he knows I dont feel well.
I will try to post a picture of him tonight.
