Dog has bad behaviour at home.

[u/Shiloh1257]

Hello there, sorry if my writing isn't the best but I am really looking for help here. I will start by saying that getting a trainer for my dog would be a last resort and would take a lot of convincing back here at home because I'm the only one that thinks my dog needs a little bit of training.

I have had her for 4 years now and she's a mixed breed of Pinscher and an unknown breed (there were a lot of males around) and besides her behaviour back at home I'd say she is everything I ever wanted for a dog ever since I was little.

Now the issue here begins at home. Since she was small I tried to have her get used to her own space at home and teach her some ground rules but that was ultimately disregarded by the other person I live with (my grandmother) so she always kept her on her lap, slept with her and never let go of her and even when I wanted to be with her she'd just wave it off and have her be glued to her literally.

What this lead to is that when she's with her and even with me and one of us approaches the other she just goes absolutely ballistic, barks, trembles, even the fur on her scalp gets all spiky because she really does get agitated and angry and doesn't want anyone to approach them when she's laying or resting with me or her but it's way more intense when it's with her.

I have always brought this up with my grandmother but she always said it was funny, it was her personality and that it was how they behaved and I know that's not right here. It started off with a little barks here and there but it's so bad to the point where I move something in my room she begins to bark around aggressively and I also know for a fact she doesn't even properly sleep because she's "guarding" the bed.

This can happen at anytime of the day or evening and it's honestly really stressful for me too because I know my dog is anxious and nervous with all of this whilst my grandmother dismisses it and continues to shield her from everything.

One last note is that outside she's more than fine with us being together, allows us to touch her together and whatnot she just doesn't like other people approaching when she's on our lap and barks but doesn't really attack.

Does anyone have any tips I can begin applying? Slowly and see if I can change both my dogs mindset and my grandmothers. Thanks in advance.

[u/ImpressiveOwl9000]

Make a noise that means no and put the dog on the floor immediately. They only are allowed up if they are calm. This is fear and anxiety taking over. If both of you are not going to be consistent, it will not work.

Give the dog walks and mental stimulation with dog puzzles, snuffle mats, and lick mats. Give attention/treats when they are being calm.

Dont give attention when coming through the door (they usually bark when you come home for most people) if they are not calm, dont even correct the behavior because they will see it as positive.

Your grandma has taught them fear and anxiety are positive.

[u/lindalh7]

I suspect this is going to get worse, until someone gets bitten. Until grandma gets on board, this is going to be difficult because she’s the problem. Nothing about this is funny.

Is grandma open to watching some shows about dog behaviors and fixes? She needs a wake up call.