Bed Bugged

Dear Dog Lady,

I'd like your perspective on a bad situation I know I created. A few months back, one of my Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Major, was sleeping in my bed. When I got under the covers, I noticed he was fascinated by my feet moving under the covers. So I began playing with my feet and hands under the covers, moving them around while Major, who’s 130 pounds, pounced on them. It was funny then, but not now.

Since that night, Major goes into a barking frenzy the moment I turn down the sheets. He begins pawing me and jumping at me. I believe he thinks a monster hides under the sheets and he is trying to keep me safe. What are your thoughts?

Lisa, Ridgefield, CT

Lisa, sometimes the stunts we pull in the bedroom come back to haunt us. Major must believe there’s major game-playing in the sheets and, now, you will have to re-educate him to let sleeping tootsies lie. Dog Lady believes your dog doesn’t see a monster in the bed. Major merely mistakes snooze time for playtime.

When you get ready for bed, keep your Swiss Mountain man at bay, behind a closed door. Do this for a few nights and then slowly reintroduce him to the bedroom if that’s where you want him to be. Turn off the lights, open the door for Major, and slip into the covers. Do not invite him up or make any fuss at all. Pretend to be asleep. See how it goes. Your calm and controlling demeanor will send the signal: “Not tonight, honey, I have a headache.”

Posted by Dog Lady at April 26, 2008 11:05 AM