Jealous/overprotective pom.

    • Silver

    Jealous/overprotective pom.

    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 ackward 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? 
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'd keep the Pom off the bad, off the furniture and off your lap until he gets the idea that you don't belong to him. Also, I'd invite him up for pets and special cuddly attention ONLY when your fiancee is right there with you so the Pom will learn that the presence of your fiancee means that pretty soon he'll get to cuddle with you. Teaching the dog a cue for get off the bed/couch/lap would be useful too, just so you can emphasize the point that it is YOU who controls the access to those things!
     
    I posted a similar question today. It will be interesting to see if the suggestions are even close to mine!
     
    Good luck with this
    Amy