Strange Behavior

[YorkieMom2]

My 1 1/2 year old yorkie has been acting very strange in the past 2 nights. She always sleeps with me on my back (I sleep on my stomach). For the past 2 nights, she has been digging at my head and my back and growling.. She doesnt even bark and I never heard her growl before.. She actually has me scared. I even thought maybe she had a 6th sense and knew something was getting ready to happen to me.

Any ideas?

[TeresaM]

How odd. Have you changed shampoos or soap? It would concern me too, that she senses something 'wrong'.

[Nancy1999]

Well, you probably know that some animal trainers don't believe a dog should be allowed to sleep with humans. The lines of who's in charge become blurred. Sleeping on top of you or on the pillow above your head means that she is feeling dominant, she thinks she's the boss. Now I know many of us joke about this, but being the alpha dog really is no picnic, and if you really want to "spoil" your dog, you will let her know that you are the boss, or the alpha dog. The alpha dog is in charge of making sure the others are safe at night, and they sleep with one eye open, which means they never can relax like the other dogs, who are just members of the pack. I would discourage her from sleeping on your back. I would try several things, putting her next to me under the covers, or making a bed area for her, on the bed, or finally, making her sleep on a bed on the floor, until she will obey. A tip on establishing the alpha role is to always make her sit, before you place her food down, and don't allow her to eat it until you give the release command. In nature, the alpha dog decides when the other dogs will eat, so just doing this., will give you back some authority.

[angelakc]

My Pixie has done that before but she was wanting me to let her out to potty. I guess I was sleeping so soundly I didn't hear her whining... But she didnt do it two nights in a row? I hope you find the reason... keep us updated.