January 20, 2014
Due to health reasons, my husband and I sleep apart and the dogs sleep with him. One of the dogs recently nipped at me when I tried to love her in their bed. What should I do?
Full Question:
My husband & I adopted a female spayed lab mix at 9 months old. We could do absolutely nothing with her. She apparently had never been taught anything & was hyper & demanded attention. She had food aggression but it has improved. We leave her alone during her meal & she's fine & no problem at all w/hand feeding. Hubby feeds her. She only slept when we did & was destructive (not anymore), but she had a SWEET personality. I got her to a trainer who used only positive training who kept her 2 weeks. What a difference! It took about 9 months for the dog & us to "learn" each others personalities. She is now 2 1/4 years old & still hyper and she & our 6 year old dog have the run of the house, furniture & yard. All our past dogs have slept with us. Due to health, my husband & I sleep separately & these dogs sleep with him. Recently she's let me know she doesn't want me in "their" bed to watch TV. She nipped at me once when I tried to love her there. What should I do? No other issues w/her & me. 
Ed's Answer:
I would recommend that you crate train this dog. It is OK if the crate is in the bedroom. I would also tell your husband to stop letting the dog get in his bed.
Here is where people make mistakes, they let the dog decide when to get up on furniture rather than the owner inviting them to get up and/or making them get off when they get up without being invited.
This is the same concept as toys. Dogs that are possessive need to learn that the toys are your toys and you allow her to play with your toys. The toys are taken away when the owner is done playing with them.
We would strongly recommend feeding the dog in a dog crate. Then don’t reach in and take the bowl away, let the dog out and take the bowl once the dog is out of the crate.
Regards,
Ed Frawley
Here is where people make mistakes, they let the dog decide when to get up on furniture rather than the owner inviting them to get up and/or making them get off when they get up without being invited.
This is the same concept as toys. Dogs that are possessive need to learn that the toys are your toys and you allow her to play with your toys. The toys are taken away when the owner is done playing with them.
We would strongly recommend feeding the dog in a dog crate. Then don’t reach in and take the bowl away, let the dog out and take the bowl once the dog is out of the crate.
Regards,
Ed Frawley
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