growling at my hubby when he hugs me!
 

Our two year old yorkie who loves other people, children, and dogs growls at my husband whenever he hugs me. This usually happens when we're downstairs in the house but I'm wondering if I should first consider keeping him off the bed. He really doesn't want to be walked by him either. I thought bonding might take place if he did that. I'm baffled. I would call him the most mellow yorkie that I've ever owned except for his behavior towards my husband. My husband has never been cruel to him. Any suggestions?

Okay question; how do you respond to your Yorkie when he growls at hubby? And how long has this been going on? Since he matured? Or even when he was a puppy (ie under one year old)? Does he only growl at hubby when he hugs you? Razz man started to bark at my hubby, and the other dogs when he was on the bed with Mom. Each time he did that he was put down onto the floor-with a strong No... wrong. But Yorkies can be stubborn and the behaviour continued, so instead of being put down on floor he is put in his crate-for 15 minutes or so. One week of doing this, and he no longer barks at hubby or my other dogs if he is on the bed with me.

You could try this and see how it works.

Also does hubby play, bathe, groom and feed your boy? the more of those activities are associated with your hubby, the more the dog will bond.
And then Sometimes no matter what you do a dog will bond with one more than the other.

In our household the truth remains that despite hubby doing all of the above, all of dogs look to me .. i guess alpha person. But they do not growl at hubby ever.

Hope this helps a bit

My old Cocker Spaniel used to bark at anyone who hugged me. I never knew why he did that.:rolleyes: :confused:

I would suggest you have a look at what dogs do.
Dogs do not hug and if they make contact in such a manner it is rude.
Your dogs are trying to tell the person hugging they are rude and trying to stop what in the dog world would start a fight.
SMART DOG... great dog talk.
Suggest you read On talking terms with dogs so that you understand a dog speak better and then know it is actually a good thing.

JL

^^I don't agree that you should allow and/or encourage such behavior. Even if in "dog world" hugging is considered rude. Dogs also think pooping and peeing wherever, jumping on people, and stealing food is okay and normal in their world but dogs are domesticated and live with humans and have to be taught certain things are NOT ok.

I would suggest clicker training/positive reinforcement for a situation such as this. You can Google "clicker training" of watch YouTube vids of kikopup and zakgeorge21 to see a few training videos.

If he growls or tries to bite anyone while he's on your lap, take him OFF of your lap or bed immediately. Do not pet, stroke, or 'reward' him in any way for this behavior. I notice so many people (including my father) when their dog is growling while on their lap and clearly stressed, they will pet her and try to 'relax' her when in reality, they are reinforcing the behavior. Maybe even keep him on a leash and the minute he growls or bites it's a firm 'ah-ah' and take him out of the room, then bring him back when he's good again. This method is shown quite a bit on 'It's Me or the Dog' on Animal Planet. I don't always think this method is the most useful but in your case, I do think it would come in handy.

Have your husband be the treat giver, food feeder, walker, toy player, everything good! So the dog sees your husband=food, treats, toys and fun!

Also, obedience training never hurts! Basic commands (sit, stay, down, come) and even fun tricks can boost a dogs confidence and can make them more well behaved dogs.

Good luck, hope this helps a bit :)

In the beginning I would tell him it''s ok., now I tell him, No, sit down." It started only a few months ago. He just turned two. Since our greeting hugs don't last long, I'm not sure what words are best.

I agree with you about my husband being more involved. Last night he gave Noah a treat and walked him. Hopefully in time this will pass. Thanks for caring and sharing your thoughts.

I would suggest you slow down and relax a little that which you draw attention to and make a big deal of makes it more then it needs to be.
A growl is just talk that is all it is and turning off a grrr will most likely lead to biting that needs not to be.

IT is only speak and over reacting to it will make is worse ignore it.
Add the hubby to doing more with the dog and when the dog is doing something right then draw attention to that.
That which you pay attention to you get more of.... want grr pay attention to grr.... want calm pay attention to that.

JL