Intimacy with your partner and your jealous dog – Oh, that’s fun!
Picture this scenario: You and your spouse or partner are on the couch watching a movie, and you start to get a little lovey-dovey. Maybe you’re kissing or just snuggling and then here comes the dog. A moment ago, he was happily curled up on the floor and now he’s barking, whining, pacing, or maybe even jumping between the two of you and growling. If you are a dog owner, chances are you don’t have to try very hard to imagine this situation. It is not uncommon for dogs to become disruptive during intimate moments with their owners.
So what is the problem? Is your dog jealous? Is he possessive or protective? Or is he just anxious and nervous? The answer is that it could be any of the above. By carefully observing your dog’s behavior, not just “in the bedroom” but everywhere else, you can probably determine what it’s communicating to you in those awkward moments. If the problem is so severe that you fear your dog may be aggressive or bite someone, you should call a trainer as soon as possible. Most likely, the situation is not as bad or serious as this.
If your dog is anxious or nervous, you can easily identify similar behaviors in other situations. A nervous dog will display certain symptoms such as shaking, whining, excessive licking or chewing, excessive barking, or even vomiting and diarrhea. If you notice any of these signs in your dog outside or inside the room, it is likely that he has an anxiety problem. This can be caused by changes in owners, new babies, a new diet, or a prolonged separation from the owner. In some cases, dogs have physiological problems that need to be addressed. Of course, for those, you’ll want to talk to your vet. However, if he only sees the behaviors during your intimate moments, the act itself is making him nervous. The best and easiest solution for this is to turn the bedroom into a dog-free zone.
A potentially more serious problem is if your dog is possessive or protective of just one person. This could be the problem if he finds you trying to get between you and your partner or excessive growling, snapping, or barking when you are around. This type of behavior can escalate and cause very real problems. There is a possibility that someone will be bitten. If your dog is protective, you should notice it in other situations as well. If he reacts this way when a friendly stranger approaches his protected person or when someone approaches him and his owner when they are sitting together or cuddling, you may have a possessive dog. This is not healthy for human relationships or for the dog.
The possessive scenario is best handled by a professional trainer; but there is also a strategy that you can try on your own. You and your partner should sit together on the sofa. When the dog approaches and tries to get between you, get up and take the dog off the couch. After a few seconds, sit back down and repeat the procedure. Keep doing this until the dog stops the unwanted behavior. Eventually it will realize that this certain behavior leads to being removed and it will stop. When he shows good behavior for three seconds while you and your partner are sitting together, reward him with affection, a treat, or both.
Years of experience, but also scientific research, have shown that dogs experience jealousy and possessiveness. They may be jealous of each other or of people. When it gets in the way of your relationship, it can really be a problem. If the problem is only in the bedroom, just make it a no-dog zone. If it occurs elsewhere, you may need some serious training with a professional to get your life back on track.
