[chaiteahuahua]

Brewster has decided that my boyfriend is HIS person. This hurts my feelings quite a bit, since he was supposed to be my dog. However, I realize I cannot control who he decides is his favorite.
Occasionally, after we first got him, he would snap at me if he was sleepy and I was handling him, taking off his sweater, ect. I thought maybe it annoyed him and that's why.
Lately, if he is curled up with Kyle in bed or on the couch and I try to pick him up, he snaps or full on bites me. This has happened multiple times in the past week. Since moving two weeks ago, I first got a job, which seemed to upset Brewster. A week ago, Kyle got a job, which seemed to upset him even more.
The only thing I can figure out to do is to growl "No!" at B and immediately put him on the floor. I feel like this isn't sufficient, because he still tends to do it and solving the problem by not touching him seems like avoiding the elephant in the room. I don't want a dog that I'm afraid of, but I won't swat or smack him to get him to behave. He is a very sensitive dog and is VERY hurt if I even say "no" very sternly at him.

I'd appreciate any suggestions, I'm really upset about this whole situation.

 

[Rocky]

I think what you are doing is good so far. As soon as he tries to snap at you put him off the sofa. This could even do your boyfriend. Then don't let him back on the sofa until you allow him to.
I don't even think he doesn't like you. But I think you always let him do what he wanted so he believes he is the boss in the house who decides what to do and when (and then obviously telling you off when you try to do something he doesn't like).

Also, if he trys to snap at you, DON'T PULL YOUR HANDS AWAY! I know doesn't sound easy but its really important. If you pull away he will realize that his behaviour works and will keep doing it. If you don't pull away you show him that you are not afraid of him.

Then, how old is he and how long have you had him for? Was he always like that or did maybe something else trigger his behaviour?

 

[susan davis]

I agree. This little 'bozo' is young, and his big boy hormones may be coming in. If he is not neutered, and he is 6 months, do it. Also take him to puppy school. Socialize. If he starts to growl, when he is on your/boyfriends lap, down he goes. Ignore for 30 seconds. If he actually bites, he gets put in his crate, bathroom whatever for a minute or so to calm down. (a longer time out--he forgets what he did!) Persistance will pay off. He needs to learn that YOU are boss. If you feed him, he may decide you ARE his favorite!

 

[Wicked Pixie]

I agree. You need to show him who is boss. We are going through a similar thing with Harley, he is now a mature 18 month old entire dog and he has started to throw his weight around. He only ever snarls at my daughter though, he wouldn't dare do it to me!
I would revoke all privileges immediately, this includes being able to sit on furniture, toys, treats etc. He can have his privileges at your invitation only.
If he shows aggression when on furniture or laps don't put him on the floor, it is important that he chooses to move onto the floor. So say OFF! in a stern voice and point. It works with Harley, he slinks onto the floor and he knows he has done wrong. Do not let him back up! Harley will try to sneak back once he thinks we have forgotten his misdemeanor. Sometimes he has to spend the whole evening on the floor being ignored. Basically you want to be the one making all his decisions for him.
Your boyfriend has to back you up 100%. There is absolutely no need to have a snappy aggressive dog, you can nip this in the bud now.
Increasing his obedience training can help too, it gives the dog a chance to be good and earn your praise. Plus it will strengthen your bond and help you get through this difficult patch.

 

[chaiteahuahua]

I agree. This little 'bozo' is young, and his big boy hormones may be coming in. If he is not neutered, and he is 6 months, do it. Also take him to puppy school. Socialize. If he starts to growl, when he is on your/boyfriends lap, down he goes. Ignore for 30 seconds. If he actually bites, he gets put in his crate, bathroom whatever for a minute or so to calm down. (a longer time out--he forgets what he did!) Persistance will pay off. He needs to learn that YOU are boss. If you feed him, he may decide you ARE his favorite!

He was neutered at the shelter and he is one and a half. The socialization issue is one for another post, which I've posted about previously.
If I do a time out via crate, is that teaching him the crate is a "bad place"? Oh, and I feed him in the morning, my boyfriend feeds him in the evening (due to our work schedules).

 

[chaiteahuahua]

I agree. You need to show him who is boss. We are going through a similar thing with Harley, he is now a mature 18 month old entire dog and he has started to throw his weight around. He only ever snarls at my daughter though, he wouldn't dare do it to me!
I would revoke all privileges immediately, this includes being able to sit on furniture, toys, treats etc. He can have his privileges at your invitation only.
If he shows aggression when on furniture or laps don't put him on the floor, it is important that he chooses to move onto the floor. So say OFF! in a stern voice and point. It works with Harley, he slinks onto the floor and he knows he has done wrong. Do not let him back up! Harley will try to sneak back once he thinks we have forgotten his misdemeanor. Sometimes he has to spend the whole evening on the floor being ignored. Basically you want to be the one making all his decisions for him.
Your boyfriend has to back you up 100%. There is absolutely no need to have a snappy aggressive dog, you can nip this in the bud now.
Increasing his obedience training can help too, it gives the dog a chance to be good and earn your praise. Plus it will strengthen your bond and help you get through this difficult patch.

I'll try the "off!" and revocation of furniture privileges. We always invite him up, he's never allowed on by choice. Maybe my boyfriend has let it slip a couple times when I've been at work, though, who knows. Will be having a conversation with him soon.

 

[chaiteahuahua]

I think what you are doing is good so far. As soon as he tries to snap at you put him off the sofa. This could even do your boyfriend. Then don't let him back on the sofa until you allow him to.
I don't even think he doesn't like you. But I think you always let him do what he wanted so he believes he is the boss in the house who decides what to do and when (and then obviously telling you off when you try to do something he doesn't like).

Also, if he trys to snap at you, DON'T PULL YOUR HANDS AWAY! I know doesn't sound easy but its really important. If you pull away he will realize that his behaviour works and will keep doing it. If you don't pull away you show him that you are not afraid of him.

Then, how old is he and how long have you had him for? Was he always like that or did maybe something else trigger his behaviour?

I feel like I've always been the firmer one and he KNOWS when he's in trouble, he slinks away from me when he's been bad but not my boyfriend. I try to immediate move him anyways when he bites or snaps, to show him he can't bite me and get away with it.

He is approximately 1 1/2 and we've had him for just about 2 months. We got him from a shelter and he had been adopted previously for 30 days, but returned because he snapped at the man's grandchildren. I think this has been a behavior that he has had, because he had snapped a couple times when we first got him.

 

[Wicked Pixie]

It is very normal for dogs to become a bit bolshy at 18 months. They become mature at this age. Keep working with Brewster, he may take a bit longer if his bad behaviours have got him what he wanted in the past. Just be consistent and firm, you will never have to resort to punishing him. The worst 'punishment' for a Chi is to be ignored. You definitely need to have rules (such as not letting him on the furniture without permission etc) that everyone who he comes into contact with stick to.