BrunoBella Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 (edited) Hi guys Thought I might throw this question out to those people with more experience. My dog Bella (2.5 years) and my puppy Bruno (now 4 mths old) have been sharing a laundry happily since their third week together. They have access to the backyard for toileting overnight. The last week or so I have been woken up by the pup banging to get in the laundry through dog door and Bella sitting inside growling at him preventing his entry . It's not a big problem and I am assuming this is caused by Bruno becoming bigger and more dominant but I've never had two dogs before so am not sure. Have been telling Bella off for this (low growl, Let Bruno In). Should I let them sort it out or should I intervene during the and/or middle of the night . (I am thinking a plot for attention seeking ) Thanks in advance multiple growly dog experts Edited June 29, 2006 by BellasPerson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Sorry I cannot help at all, but I kinda think it is funny. Almost like she is saying "Now stay out" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 24, 2006 Author Share Posted June 24, 2006 It's very funny normally. The other morning I had to get up at 6 to fly to Sydney and they did it for half an hour at 4.30 - not very good for my sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 (edited) I wonder if its a pack leader issue BP? Maybe with the pup coming in and becoming more confident in his new home, has there been a shift in pack dynamics i.e Bella has risen up the ladder a little and you've dropped a little, just enough for her to be trying to exert a little of her authority around the house.... and what better time when you're in bed and out of sight!! Just a thought! :D Whenever I've seen Dads working dogs throw their weight around its normally when he's out of sight - mind you he only has to yell and they all sit there with a "what - we weren't doing anything" butter-wouldn't-melt-in-their-mouth look on their faces! Maybe in the short term, if its not an issue, prop the door open so the pup can get in easier Might work, might not At least you'd get a full nights sleep Edited June 24, 2006 by feralpup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 24, 2006 Author Share Posted June 24, 2006 Thanks for the reply feralpup. The pack dynamics are shifting cause I started using the NILIF program and Bella is pushing back and testing her boundaries with me as she is pissed off about the change of rules. Hopefully this will settle when she realises I'm not going back to my old ways of doing a few things when she wants. I hadn't put the two together about her throwing Bruno out about the same time as I started NILIF Propping the door won't help. Bruno is not game to go inside when Bella is growling at him even though she not physically blocking the door. Will have to learn to sleep heavier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Why don't you just lock the dog door at night? He is old enough to be able to hold on all night now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 24, 2006 Author Share Posted June 24, 2006 Duh, sleep deprivation must have turned my brain off. ... Great idea . I'm sure that will work. Thanks becks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Sometimes things can be to obvious to notice Pup is also getting to the age when Bella will no longer let him get away with baby things and will start to expect him to toe the line. At times like this, unless you see her going to far, it is better to let her put him in his place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 24, 2006 Author Share Posted June 24, 2006 Thanks again becks I will stop telling Bella off and leave her to the puppy discipline. Within reason of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 An update: I dutifully locked the dog door so Bruno couldn't get locked out. Slept all night and this morning opened the door to find Psycho Puppy :D leaping around my laundry, baskets everywhere, water dribbled over the beds and Bella looking at me balefully. Now I understand why she locks him out at 3am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Classic!! You just gotta love 'em!!! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Can just imagine the MESS ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 Last week we broke into the house while I was in Sydney and made an even bigger mess. Took me forever to find all my shoes ;) He rolled in the bottom of my bedroom sheers which are now in tatters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 How funny. If one of mine get off the bed (yes they share a queen size bed) The other wont let it back on the bed so they come and wake me up to sort it out.... ;) Fly learnt this behaviour as she was taught by my older dog, fly taught ruger when he was young, so now he does it back to her.... I'd say Bella is just asserting her authority over him, he might be pushing her at the moment....It does sound funny though, i had to laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 25, 2006 Author Share Posted June 25, 2006 I do laugh nearly all the time just not at 3am Bruno and Bella both have a basket - Bella wants to sleep by herself and Bruno wants to sleep with Bella - this is a cause of much growling and whining . I agree Bella will be asserting her authority. Bruno is lovely as always but he is getting bigger, testing his boundaries and being a lot more active. I wouldn't like to sleep with Bruno ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 He sounds like an infernal pest like ruger. Typical boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Oh yes, he is a typical boy. I have to be very sharp to keep ahead of him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Why no bring Bella inside to sleep and leave Bruno in the laundry, will give her some break time and help him learn it is OK to be on his own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBella Posted June 27, 2006 Author Share Posted June 27, 2006 I might give that a try actually cause Bella is well behaved in the house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdogdog Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Charley started out a crate in my room so I could hear her when she wanted to go out. She never messed in the crate. Leo was so besotted that when it came time for her to have run of the house with him he didn't care about it at all. PS They now both sleep on the bed with me. I know I'm pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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