Picture this scenario: You and your spouse or partner are on the couch watching a movie and you start to get a little amorous. Maybe you are kissing or just snuggling and then here comes the dog. A moment ago, he was happily curled up on the floor and now he is barking, whining, pacing back and forth, or maybe even jumping between the two of you and growling. If you are a dog owner, there is a good chance you don't have to try very hard to imagine this situation. It is not uncommon for dogs to become disruptive during their owners' intimate moments.
So what is the problem? Is your dog jealous? Is he possessive or protective? Or is he simply anxious and high strung? The answer is that it could be any of the above. If you observe your dog's behavior carefully, not only "in the bedroom," but everywhere else as well, you can probably determine what he is communicating to you in those awkward moments. If the problem is so serious that you fear your dog may be aggressive or may bite someone, you should bring in a trainer as soon as possible. Chances are that the situation is not as bad or serious as this.
If your dog is anxious or nervous, you can easily pin point 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 spot any of these signs in your dog outside of the bedroom or in, he many have an anxiety problem. This can be brought about by changes in owners, new babies, a new diet, or an extended separation from the owner. In some cases dogs do have physiological issues that need addressing. Of course for those, you will want to speak with your vet. However, if you only see the behaviors during your intimate moments, the act itself is making him nervous. The best and simplest solution for this is to make the bedroom a dog-free zone.
A potentially more serious problem is if your dog is possessive or protective over just one person. This could be the issue if you find him trying to get between you and your partner or if he growls, snaps or barks excessively when you are close. This kind of behavior can escalate and can cause very real problems. There is the potential that someone will get bitten. If your dog is protective, you should notice it in other situations as well. If he reacts this way when his protected person is approached by a friendly stranger or when anyone approaches him and his owner when they are sitting together or cuddling, you may have a possessive dog. This is neither healthy for human relationships nor for the dog.
The possessive scenario is best handled by a professional trainer; but there is a strategy you can try on your own as well. You and your partner should sit on the couch together. When the dog approaches and tries to get between you, stand up and remove the dog from the couch. After a few seconds, sit down again and repeat the procedure. Keep doing this until the dog stops the unwanted behavior. Eventually he will realize that this certain behavior leads to being removed and he 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 do in fact experience jealously and possessiveness. They can be jealous of each other or people. When it gets in the way of your relationship, it can really be a problem. If the issue is only in the bedroom, simply make it a no-dog zone. If it occurs elsewhere, you may need some serious training with a professional to bring your life back to normal.
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