my dog's weird behavior

Welcome!

It sounds like OCD behavior.  I wouldn't put her back in that spot until it can be addressed.  It may be harmless now but could escalate.  I know a dog that used to sometimes bark at laser lights but now he is often totally transfixed for hours or will bark nonstop at a sparkle or shadow.  It doesn't really sound like resource guarding or aggression to me, more of an obsession (especially since you mentioned the air licking).  Some people might mention seizure disorder but I have no experience with that.  If she were mine, I would start by trying to reprogram her - create a totally new nighttime routine (new spot, new bed, etc).  I would not encourage the current behavior or provoke it.

robinu

  But, at night, when she's in her bed (she has her own twin bed in our spare room), she becomes a B-I-T-C-H.  If  you go to try to love on her or pet her she snarls and growls like a dog possessed.  She's never bitten us and I don't think she ever would, but it's really quite comical. 

I wouldn't call it comical and I wouldn't assume she won't bite you.  She's giving you warning that she doesn't want to be petted or loved on at that time, in that spot, and she may decide that you aren't heeding her signals and resort to a defensive bite.  Does she allow you to love on her at other times?  Has she always been this way at night on this bed?  Has it gotten worse recently?  Are you startling her out of a sound sleep?

 If this is resource guarding of the bed (which it sounds like to me), I'd deny her access to that bed and have her sleep in a crate.  You might also consult with a behaviorist for an opinion. It's best to  find one that uses positive methods and who comes to your home, as that's the only way to make any sort of judgement on this behavior (not possible from across the internet)  and to develop a plan for counterconditiong. In the meantime, leave her alone, so you don't force her to escalate her warnings. 

The air licking sounds like OCD behavior.  It's hard to stop once it's entrenched and sometimes dogs start this type of compulsive behavior due to stress or anxiety but it then becomes compulsive and they continue regardless of their stress levels.

 This is HER space, this is HER time and she does not want to be disturbed here. Down time, if you will.   She is trying to communicate this to you and you are not listening.

 I agree, this is not comical and you should not provoke her.  If you aren't listening, she will be forced to escalate her communication style.  And yes I would get her a new bed, put it in a new place change the entire bedtime routine.  If you have children or any children EVER come in to visit, BE SURE to keep them away from her when she is in that place, until you can address this issue.  It is not normal and should not be accepted in a pet inside the home.  Go slowly and retrain her.  She can still have her own time and space, and not liked to be "bugged" when she is there = this is her home she has a right to that.  But her behavior is too extreme.   Maybe because you think it is comical and have teased and taunted her in this area rather than leave her be.  And to you, you are just going over to pet your dog.  To her, she has told you and told you, don't do that, but you aren't listening to to her you are teasing and taunting.  Leave her be!

Many times in family situations, we teach children that when the doggie goes to her bed, LEAVE HER ALONE.  You are adult and seem not to be getting the message.

 I agree with what everyone else said, but I was just wondering, did she begin doing these things suddenly, or has she been doing them for some time? Has the behavior on the bed been occurring at lower levels and getting worse?