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Posted by Vicki on June 18, 2009, 11:41 am
72.193.218.191
This may be long and I apologize, but I am looking for some advice.
Lady and Cooper always sleep in our bedroom and usually on the same bed or one will go in the crate (depends on how much room they want),which are side by side, anyway, last week Cooper wasn't feeling well and he grumped at Lady a couple of times at bedtime for what I thought was because he wasn't feeling too good. I corrected him verbally and no problems after that. Until night before last: Lady refused to come into the bedroom at bedtime, I had to make her come in. Cooper kind of charged her, no big deal, corrected him and that was that. Now comes last night, Lady seriously was refusing to come into the bedroom, Cooper had gone to bed on the bed out of the crate, he was watching her and I was watching him to ensure he stayed down. Didn't work - next thing I knew he flew at her growling and trying to fight with her. I kicked him off her (not hard, just to stop him)and crated him. Lady still refused to come in and lay on her bed until I moved the bed away from the crate and over to the side of our bed. She did come and lay down but it was a good 10 minutes or so before she actually settled down to sleep.
This does not happen any other time of the day or night (so far). Strictly bedtime right now, but I also don't want it to escalate to other areas.
Lady will be 7 next month (70#) and Cooper is 28 months (85#). Height: Lady is a shrimp next to him. Both are obedience trained, NILIF is a hard fast rule here.
Lady has been the alpha. She will never start a fight, but she will definitely not back down.
Based upon Cooper's age, I see this as his attempt to control the "den." However, he has to learn that he is not in control and I want to be sure that I make it clear to him. Starting tonight, Lady will be the 1st one to bed and Cooper will be brought into the bedroom on lead and will be crated for the night.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
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