Rowdy having a behavioral issue...

Hi all,

It's been many moons since I've been on the site, but I need some advice! The night before last, I got a touch of food poisoning and was throwing up for the better part of a couple days. Rowdy was being his ever-helpful self and stayed by my side through it all. His behavior with me, his daddy, and his cat was completely normal for the duration, I only noticed he was slightly more attached to me (because of the sickness).

Twice yesterday, when he was being ultra clingy and sort of in my way, Ben went to scootch him with his foot and Rowdy gave a really aggressive growl and snapped at him. We scolded him and put him in his time-out spot both times and then he acted like nothing happened.

Our only guesses is maybe Ben nudged him in a sensitive spot or he was just being protective of me because I was sick. Any ideas or tips so that this behavior doesn't continue?

Thanks!

Kayla

Tags: Behavior

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on June 1, 2012 at 4:43pm

Charlie used to do this too and still does from time to time. Everyone told me it was his adolescent phase, which it could have been. Charlie gets jealous and treat possessive. The best advice I can give is jus to correct it every time it happens, which it sounds like you two did. For a period of time Charlie knew he was doing soemthing wrong and would throw himself on the ground and stay there until we told him it was "ok to get up". Then we had to change it up. We try to redirect him if we think a outbreak is coming and the use positive reinforcements.

It could very well be that he was being possessive of you. Charlie did this with my cat. Any time she would try to sit on me or come near me, he would attack her. I solved this by holding my cat while I have hovering about Charlie giving commands, if he did the command correct and was responsive to me and not trying to attack my cat, he would get a treat. After two weeks he understood basically that the cat rules the house...and he can't attack her. I think it also help my cat build up her confidence with him and now she stands her ground with him.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on June 1, 2012 at 4:52pm

Seanna is very protective of me, and very jealous with any other animal that comes near. I have lupus, so when I'm in bed sick she picks up on it and seems extra sensitive. Makes me feel good that she wants to protect me, but I have to correct it quick so she doesn't get out of hand. I revert to the Nothing In Life is Free program when her britches start to get too big for her.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on June 1, 2012 at 6:47pm

Yes, teach Ben and others to use a voice command with the dog ( Like "Rowdy, move!" followed by praise ) and not the foot to nudge him. The foot nudge may very well work, but is asking for trouble and not the best way to get the desired behavior.