Jealous/overprotective pom.

[jhinesis]

Hey, I posted about the 2 year old pomeranian I adopted about a week and a half ago from the shelter. After numerous vet trips and medications for his upper respiratory infection, he seems to be getting better.

Well, last night a new problem seemed too appear. It seemed that any time my fiancee came over to me and hugged me or leaned over me while I was sitting at my computer desk, the pom just freaked out and started barking and growling; he never barks. Up until now, he hasn't shown any sign of a favorite between me and my fiancee(or reacted at all to us being close). He has treated us both the same, which is very friendly.

Then again this morning as my fiancee was leaving, he leaned over me to say goodbye as I was still asleep and the pom started barking at him and then added in the growling again and woke me up; his eyes fixed on my fiancee. Both dogs sleep in the bed with us all night, so the routine was nothing new. So my fiancee pets him and the pom starts getting 'mouthy', like he's biting, but very lightly as if he isn't trying to hurt him and continues the bark/growl thing. He doesn't seem to bare his teeth or anything, he's just disturbed by it. Then our other dog approached me later and the pom started growling again. Even if I approach my fiancee, if we get really close like a hug, the dog starts barking at him.

This has *never* happened before, what would make him feel the need to behave this way all of the sudden? My fiancee loves the dog and takes him out, feeds, spends time with him so I don't want this to start being awkward for him. When we aren't close to each other the dog acts normal and treats us both the same and is very friendly. The dog likes to follow me and sleep under my computer chair when I'm sitting at it, but I hadn't really though much of it. Is this jealousy or is he being protective for some reason? What could cause this and will it stop?

 

[elegy]

step one: dog off the bed. (the other one who is not a problem can stay). personally i'd use a crate in this situation, but as long as the dog is off the bed, it's up to you where he sleeps. i'd keep him off all the furniture until his place in the house is better established and he *earns* the priviledge of furniture.

step two: nilif. little dog gets to learn (peacefully) that he is not in charge and doesn't get to make the decisions about what's what.

are you going to take him to obedience class? it'd be a really really good idea. or your fiancee could take him. look for a class that uses positive methods. what you want is to build a stronger relationship with you (or your fiancee) as the boss and pupster trusting that whatever boss-person says is all good.

good luck with him! getting this taken care of right away before it becomes a set habit will work the best for you all.