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!!

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with Jane here.  I missed out on the growling piece in my first response.  Unless it was a vocalization during play, it is a serious issue that need to be addressed IMO.  Of course I would be devastated if Gavin growled at me (or anyone) so I totally understand that you are taking it personally.  I think that all bed privs need to be taken away and I would try a couple of days of "no talk" and throw in some tether time in the house to reinforce your position and set her cute little butt back on the right track.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

BJ, I don't think I said growling but if I did I was mistaken. She was lunging and barking and that is why I was a bit confused about if she was being aggressive or just over excited as she sometimes does this if she is over the top stimulated.  She slept in her own bed last night and I am going to try to slow things down here in the household and manage her more. We've been spending a lot of time snuggling and not much time reinforcing training. I think that will help remind her of who is boss.

[BG and Gavin]

Well no wonder I missed it - you didn't say it lol!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jane, looking back I can see that in the last few months there have been some changes in the household and with my and DH's behavior toward Tara that could certainly have confused her.  Since she was a pup we have adhered fairly well to the maintaining the pack positions in the household, with her at the bottom. We did this intentionally to keep the cat one level above her in order to teach her to respect the cat. Lately it all seems to have fallen apart.  I think if we just go back to the way things were it may be enough. She is like Guinness, very eager to please and sensitive. It doesn't take much effort to train her and for her to understand what is expected from her.

[Donna K & Quincy]

You could try brushing your teeth. :>) Sorry that's all I have, I have absolutely no clue as to what is happening. I really don't think they care what we look like. The only possible thing I can think of to change is to reverse the order of when you get up, you get up first and see what happens. Good luck, I hope you figure this out and that it is just a hiccup.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Donna, I'll work on the teeth issue! LOL!  The odds of my getting up before DH are not good. I don't dare give up any of my beauty sleep. I need all I can get!  I hope it is just a hiccup too because I thought things were great the way they were!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL,  maybe now that Tara has been invited to sleep in the bed, she's trying to replace you as the "lady of the house". She likes having your DH all to herself in the morning and she's saying "Go back to bed, I'm taking over the household!"

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Karen you may be on to something! I took this picture of the two of them yesterday!

[Vivian & Mojo]

H****!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It's true Vivian. How can I compete with that???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Now why in the world would H-U-S-S-Y be censored????

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That is so weird.