Behavior Problem, Training Problem or Just a Bad Hair Day?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tara and I have a morning ritual that we go through every day and have for more than a year now.  She and DH get up at least an hour before me. Later I come out, usually in my PJ's and Tara and I pile on the couch for a morning snuggle after she enthusiastically greets me.

One morning last week when she saw me coming down the hall from the bedroom she ran with her tail tucked. When I tried to approach her she ran to DH and hid between his legs like I was a stranger. I   then sat on the couch and encouraged her to join me. Eventually she got on the couch but stayed at the other end and wouldn't approach me. The remainder of the day she was fine and the next morning everything was back to normal.

Well, it happened again today. When I came out the the bedroom she ran to DH. When I got down to her level and tried to approach her she started lunging and barking at me. Then would run back to DH. It doesn't seem like an aggressive bark but I'm not sure. It was almost like she was yelling at me about something. This time I just left her and ignored her and didn't try to get her to come to me or snuggle. Within a few minutes she seemed fine with me.

I can't think of anything that has changed in my appearance or behavior that could upset her. Possibilities:

1.I'm waking up with really bad hair

2.DH is spending that hour in the morning training Tara to attack me.

3. She's ticked because she wanted to sleep in with me

 Possible clue:  Within the last couple of weeks we started allowing Tara to sleep with us on the bed which she has not done in our 4 years together.  Could this be a contributing factor in some way?

Have any of you experienced anything like this? What do you think is the best way for me to handle the situation if it happens again? I want my snuggle puppy back! Thank you!!

[Vivian & Mojo]

Perhaps high value treats will lure her back unless DH is training her to attack!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Bribery does work quite well with her...maybe if I approach her smelling like a liver treat...she might even ignore the attack command for that!! LOL!

[Vivian & Mojo]

If she like liver I say go for it lol... however you may have to continue 4-ever smelling like liver...how will DH take to that!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yes, those would be the downsides of this idea. I have to admit I'm not quite as fond of the smell of liver as Tara is!  And it could become a marital problem not just a doodle problem!

[BG and Gavin]

Gosh I don't know what could be going on.  Maybe a change in smell?  Are you wearing a new perfume or hair product or something.  To handle it, I would just totally ignore it; I would not lure her or get on her level.  I will bet it is just some hiccup.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I can't think of any change in smell but I know her nose is a lot more sensitive then mine.  I like the idea of ignoring her (playing hard to get). I hope it is just a hiccup and she is back to normal soon. Sometimes I wish I was a doodle mind reader!

[Carol and Banjo]

My first thought was hair, if you look anything like I do in the morning it would be understandable. Sheesh, sorry Ricki, I just don't have any idea what's going on. It sounds like a good idea to not try luring her to you....ignore her....I'm just not sure.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Thanks Carol, I do look pretty rough in the morning but that's been the case for years. She should be used to my Cruella DeVille look by now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When I read this part: "when she saw me coming down the hall from the bedroom she ran with her tail tucked", my first thought was that she must have done something that she was afraid you would be upset about when you discovered it, but I can't think what that could be, especially since your DH was up and with her. Very strange. My only advice is to ignore her any time she behaves this way; don't get down on the floor, don't try to coax her or make friends, just go on about your normal morning routine. Hopefully this will stop completely.

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Hmmm this is indeed a strange one.  In any event, I would "disagree" with her lunging and barking at you....unacceptable for any reason.  I would call her...."Tara come" as you come out of the bedroom.  I'd have her sit and then I'd give affection.  Then I'd go get her a treat and have her sit again.  I think it's better to be preemptive in this situation.  Also, why did you start allowing her to sleep in the bed after four years?  I'm just curious.  I do believe that could be a bit confusing.  Sleeping on the bed is a "big deal" for dogs (IMO) and signals something about pack order.  So if for four years she didn't sleep in the bed and saw that as a place where her "leaders" sleep....and now she's invited to sleep there she could be confused about her position.  Just a thought.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

 Jane, I've been thinking about your question about how she ended up on the bed after all this time. I think it started when I hurt my back and was down quite a bit and wanted her near me while I was feeling sorry for myself. LOL For quite a while she slept between me and the edge of the bed because DH was resistant to her having the run of the bed. Then in the last couple of weeks he wanted to get in on the snuggles too so she was given full rein of the bed. In the past the cat was allowed on the bed but was sporadic about sleeping with us. So Tara has kind of taken over the cat's position which has always been above her in our pack. She may see it as upward movement in the pack for that reason as well as now sleeping with the big dogs as you pointed out.

I like the preemptive idea as it puts me back in control. Right now she seems to be in that position. If I just ignore her,  I may be giving her just what she wants.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would definitely try showing her that YOU are still the leader....she seems to get that DH is.  There's probably a lot going on with her and a lot of changes that she's trying to "get" right now.   I'm sure she knew that when you were sick with your back problems you were in a much weaker position than normal...plus you were giving her more affection (which to a dog was unearned)....plus now she was allowed in the bed displacing the cat (a huge "step up").  She may be thinking that you're sending her a message that she's got a new "pack order" position.  IMO most dogs don't want that position....they are more comfortable seeing us take that role.  I really think it will all be fine as long as you continue to show her that you're the leader and she's the follower.  I know lots of people think this "pack hierarchy" is just nonsense, but I really believe that is how dogs think.  I've seen it with my two and it's also something that the Behaviorist we saw for Murphy's problems confirmed.