Dog acting different when husband out

[Molly3456]

When my husband goes out to the pub with friends and I am at home with the dog at night, the dog acts so different!!

She acts like there’s someone outside the back door, growls and barks for no reason. In the past when he has been away on stag dos she does the same thing barks at the bedroom door and makes me feel so nervous and scared. I feel fine about being home alone until she starts acting this way!

Does anyone have any tips to stop her acting like this as I am starting to hate my husband going out and I like him being able to go out with his friends I don’t want to stop him because I get scared lol!!!

My DDog takes his role as guardian of the house very seriously. Doesn't bark at all when no one's home. If it's me and DD, he is loopy. DH home, a bit less. No tips, just solidarity.

If it's any consolation when someone dodgy showed up in the middle of the night, he went MUCH loopier than normal.

I'm by no mean an expert on dogs but my aunties dog used to go funny whenever her husband drank. As soon as he opened a beer the dog knew he was going to get very loud etc . She always ran upstairs and stayed there the whole night . You dog clearly senses when he's out drinking and is nervous because of the way they are different when they are drunk . Hope this helps

@Pleco28 I feel like it’s not alcohol because sometimes he doesn’t drink he just drives and comes back she does the same no matter what if it’s just me and her she will not settle. I don’t know if it’s how I react to her behaving that way it makes her do it more :(

Several things to choose from.

1. She’s become the alpha dog when your hubby leaves and you are lower down the pack. Somehow you need to reassert that you are the pack leader.
2. she’s lost her leader when he goes and she is frightened and it’s a fit/flight fear response. Does she do this when he is out at work for instance? If not, then that rules this idea out.
3. alcohol/pub smell associates with a ‘need to protect’ instinct due to something in her past. Is she fine around you drinking alcohol in your own home?

I would think 1) is the most likely.

Pack theory is rubbish
Our dog prefers to know where we all are, it’s probably just that

And thereby proving pack theory 🤣🤣🤣

How?

She’s acting as pack mum by gathering in all her ‘puppies’. Your family has replaced her pups!!
Dogs are only one step from being wolves.

They really aren’t but ok
If you were on The Doghouse saying this you would have had your arse handed to you by now by some very knowledgeable people.
But as long as it works for you Bargebill and you and your dog/s are happy that’s the main thing.