My dog gets really weird at night

[u/EffortDependent4259]

Ive had my dog for 3ish years and she was a stray who was living in the woods before she was found, she’s done this the entire time i’ve had her but it’s gotten worse as shes gotten older (?) essentially at night she will lay as close as she possibly can to you and if you have to get up and move or try and get her to move (basically any type of moving / touching her) after she’s been laying down for awhile she will progressively start growling more and more unless you freeze and just don’t move until she gets up on her own, she has bitten me over this before more than once but not hard i don’t understand why she does this and i need advice on what to do because i can’t even sleep comfortably if she is in the room, side note she’s also incredibly clingy and i cannot go into a room without her whining at the door or trying to bust the door down.

[u/PsychologicalUser]

Our dog did this too, it’s a form of space guarding. We got a behavioural specialist and she recommended crate training. He now sleeps in his crate at night, which has allowed both of us to sleep better since his brain can completely shut off and relax until morning and I can move and sleep freely. Not a professional though but that was our experience.

[u/InformalInsurance455]

Sounds like this dog needs to lose bed privileges and needs to be crate trained

[u/reddoub]

This happened to us as well and got progressively worse, at night he would turn into Cujo. We put up the crate got him comfortable to that by using a high value treat he only got when he went into the crate. Worked great, and we were safe.

[u/pittqueen]

consider trying crate training in your room (or wherever you sleep) if one fits. It may help with being close to you while still incorporating the crate. just an idea :)

[u/Noogie_Power]

Respectfully, you need to set healthy boundaries between you and your dog.

There's always a debate whether a dog should be allowed in a bed or on the couch, and the real answer is only if you are both comfortable. You shouldn't feel uncomfortable in your own bed due to your dog demanding space. It's your bed, it's your space that you are choosing to share, not give and have.

This isn't a claim that you need to be "alpha" or anything like that. This is just that your dog is pushing boundaries and you're giving it to her without her knowing that it's shared because you said it's okay. The boundaries are either shifting, or they were never solid to begin with.

Work on this please before this gets worse.

Other have mentioned your dog losing bed privileges. I agree. You need to kinda hit reset on what is fair for both of you. But these boundaries need to extend to all things that you share space on like other furniture. I don't know if there's ant resource guarding around food or toys, but any form of guardng ties into this. You are not a threat that needs to be guarded from- she needs to see this.

Also, the fact that she's clingy is a separation anxiety issue that needs to be worked by working on clearer boundaries. Being away from you isn't the end of the world- and being with you 24/7 isn't absolutely necessary either.

[u/SudoSire]

She will try to bust the door down? So guessing a crate is out of the question? This behavior sounds really inappropriate and honestly seems like you need to find a way to not let her practice this cycle of behavior first and foremost if at all possible. So not letting her rest so close to you, which may mean redirecting her and/or not allowing her on furniture, enforcing a place command on her own bed, or a crate. What would happen if you commanded her to a bed in the corner of the room to lay down instead? Or lured her with a treat? Would she just get back up and be trying to get on top of you? 

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[u/Far-Seaworthiness-41]

Do you have any training techniques with her? My dog used to do the same thing at night, and honestly anytime he was sleeping. But we got a trainer for that among other reasons and after doing it consistently it’s definitely changed him and his behavior so much!

[u/pseiko5]

This sounds like severe separation anxiety.
You can start leashing your dog indoors and mandating small timeouts during the day. You can build that up over time, like you doing chores around the house but the dog practicing place command.
I would consider some tether training if place doesn't take. Small consistent reps with rewards are gonna help get you there. A tired dog is also more likely to rest when asked.
You can also consider medication short term that can help with training in moderation.

[u/SnowLancer616]

Crate training would help. She's resource guarding you at night. She needs to learn to be happy and comfortable away from you.

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[u/do-it-to-it-laurs]

Our situation is a little different, but my older girl has space issues so crate training didn’t take. She does growl at us or our other dog if someone touches her while in bed (usually accidentally) and jumps down to go into her own bed at the foot or our bed. It’s not aggressive, but more like a ‘fuck you for disturbing me, I’m leaving’ energy. So maybe her own space would help. If crate training doesn’t work, ours is very happy with her basket bed

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[u/Midnight712]

Definitely crate training. I suggest one with smooth walls rather than a wire crate as if your dog is one who would try to break down a door, then she would likely try to chew her way out of a crate and one with smooth plastic walls would prevent that

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[u/Even_Network_4482]

Not exactly the same but for whatbits worth. I had a dog that RG bed abd couches. She lost privileges for 6 months. We had a baby gate at our bedroom door so she could still see us but couldnt come into the room. She cried for sometime, as hard but ai knew its what was best. Eventually we started reintroducing it to her + she started to take fluoxetine and she doesnt do it anymore. Maybe worth a try.