Grump in Bed

[MyLadies]

Anyone have any idea how to get a 7 month old puppy to stop being a grouch in bed? When my older dog (a 3 year old Shih Tzu) comes near my Yorkiechon whenever she's sleeping in our bed with us (1/2 yorkie 1/2 bichon...who looks & acts more like a Yorkie than anything) ... Abbie, my Yorkiechon goes berzerk and lunges at her. We've tried "no!!" grabbing her, holding her away, holding her on her back, everything, she's hard to hold onto when she's determined to "kill!". I fear for my Shih Tzu's eyes when my little one lunges at her like that.

She's even grumpy when WE come near her when she's in her own bed. Growling at us, snapping, and giving us an evil look!

Whats up with the grumpy pup, and any ideas on nipping this in the bud early?

This ONLY happens when she's sleeping. It can be in our bed or hers.

[yorkieK9trainer]

Sounds like you need a little more control. There are TONS of ways you can go about fixing this.
The first is that I'd recommend that you begin formal obedience w/ her.
Otherwise, you might try fastening a small cat leash to her collar or harness and letting her drag it around while you're home and w/ her.
When you approach her to get off your bed, tell her "Off". If she doesn't comply you can grab the leash that's laying there attached to her and repeat your command and use your leash to make her get off when you repeat yourself once. The same goes for her bed too. You should practise this a few times a day until in that day you get to the point where you say "Off" once and she complies and you don't even have to reach for the leash.
If she's the kind of dog that gets wise or tries to bite you when you reach for the leash, set her up. Invite her up onto your bed or her bed w/ the leash already in your hand. Take a few steps back...still w/ the leash and now tell her "Off", even though you *just* invited her up there. Doesn't matter. She's to get off when you tell her to every time, regardless of what she wants...and that seems to be the problem.

[MyLadies]

??? A good answer, but not what I was looking for . I'm looking to deal with a grouchy snappy puppy that only gets that way when sleeping when we come within range of her sleeping area. She can stay in my bed or her bed all she wants, I don't mind. I have no desire to make her get off my bed or out of hers. And if I do, I just simply pick her up. LOL!!

[LoveMyGirlz]

Hmmm I don't really have any advice - just wanted to say that Vixxen acts that way too! However, her "growls" are harmless...you know, the bark is bigger than the bite! I feel like its more of her being startled than really being mad?? She makes me jump though-lol! For me, its not a big problem because she doesnt try to do us harm, just makes alotta noise

[Dougal&Little]

I think your pup might be asserting her dominance in the "pack" through this behaviour. I let my two sleep on the bed with me but they are invited onto the bed once I'm settled in. If they are on the bed before I get in they are told to get off until I'm ready for them to join me. Just doing simple things like that might be a part of a solution.

As to attacking the other dog I'm not sure about that. I've always let my two sort out any dominance issues themselves. I figure they can talk "dog" better than I can. But that's not much help to you if you think some actual harm will come to one of your dogs.

I would not tolerate any dog fighting on my bed - especially if I was in it. When my two start any dominating behaviour on each other they are told to get off immediately. After a "cool down" period I invite them both up again. Even if you aren't in the bed that is still you designated sleeping spot as the "alpha dog".

But also bear in mind some of us are just grumpier when we are woken up - I know I am!

I find that training builds a healthy, loving, respectful relationship between you and your dog. I hope some of this is helpful to you. When it comes to training you've just gotta do what works for you and your dog.