Hello
We have an 18 month male, neutered Vizsla.  He's trained-ish and very loving.  Recently we chose to move him from sleeping in his enclosed cage to a large open dog bed.  I used to stroke him in his cage and he was fine, but now when I stroke him in his bed he growls, something he didn't do before, even though he's still sometimes doing his submissive pose of showing me his belly.  He even had a pop at my husband, not biting but showing his teeth momentarily and holding his hand.  I'm 6 months pregnant and I need to get this under control asap.
We have now taken the action of trying to demote his status in the household as we've obviously given him the wrong signals that he's up there with us.....no more sofa, us through the door before him, we eat before him, keeping him on his lead when walking etc and trying to make him earn eveything nice again, nothing is free.
What did we do wrong?  Why would he growl at us in his new bed?  Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you

Is he fine anywhere else?  Is it just his bed where he growls?

I am not saying this behaviour is correct but I think all he may be doing is protecting his bed.  Because its open it has not got the same sucurtee as the cage, if he used to be fine in the cage I would say put him back in this, you do not need to close the door remeber, leave the door open, for him to come and go as he pleases.

Also as you will soon be having a child, I know we are talking some time yet, but when the child starts crawling round the house then your dog can go in his cage, where the child hopefully won't go.

Or if you really want....shut child in cage, let dog have roam of house!!! :D lol ;) jks

I too would suggest giving him back the security of his familiar place, leaving the door open (as it should be most of the time) for him to come and go as he pleases. He obviously misses it ...

Hi there
Your dog obvously feels threatened. You might think the new space is wonderful but perhaps he does not,  and is insecure.

I would put him back to his crate.

I agree, the dog is not happy.

Is there a reason as to why he cannot go back into the crate if he feels secure there?

Are there any other problems?

I really would not bother with the pack stuff such as keeping the dog off the furniture, as it can sometimes be detrimental; what is important is consistency and the whole relationship. Nothing in life is free is great if done sensibly - i feel all dogs should Sit for having a lead put on, before getting out of the car etc and done properly and in a rewarding way for the dog, it canonly enhance the bond and confidence of dog and owner :)

Lindsay
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