Marigold

I don't know what to do about my rescue girl in regards to our bed and couch! Background, we adopted her in June, she's about a year old. We've noticed some dominance issues like trying to hump our boy boxer.

In the last two months or so, she's started growling and snapping sometimes when we try to move her. I know the obvious response is, get her off the couch! But I'm not sure how to do it in a way that doesn't make the problem worse and keeps her from biting us. She hasn't made contact yet, but really reacted the other night when a friend of ours sat down.

Our boy, who we've had for several years, is totally fine on furniture. We can shove him around no problem and he sleeps in our bed with the cat. If we keep her off permananently, does that mean it has to extend to him too? What about at night? She frequently sleeps on the couch at night when we're asleep.

We're going on a two week vacation in a couple of weeks and my in-laws are watching the house. Even though they've always watched our boy without problem (he's super easy and laid-back), they are not at all used to dogs. In fact, my mil when I try to stress how important it is to be Alpha, jokes that this may be the case with "mom" but with "grandma" the dogs get their way since it's "fun time" with grandma. I'm super nervous that the problem will get worse when we're gone or that she'll actually bite one of them.
HELP!!

WholeLottaBoxers

I would keep a leash on her so you can pull her down without getting too close. Give her the "off" commamd and give her a moment to respond. If she doesn't respond, don't make a big deal. Pull her off gently by the leash, tell her "good off" and give her a treat. You need to get her to realize that good things happen when she gets down. Also, limit her time on the furniture. You should be in charge of when she can and cannot be up there. Google NILF for training tips.

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Jake ~1/1/98-10/31/08~ ♥
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