My puppy is very loving but when she is in the laundry basket she gets nasty, how can i stop this?

Brett: My puppy is very loving but when she is in the laundry basket she gets nasty, how can i stop this?
My puppy is about 6 months old and she is a Bichon Frise. She is a very affectionate and loving dog but whenever she is in our laundry basket of dirty clothes and laying down she will growl at anyone who nears. Why is this and how can we but a stop to it?
Ive had tried taking her out but she growls and if i get to close she will snap at me so taking her out is not a option… and she does have her own bed which we have bought for her however she seems to prefor the clothes. She will sleep in there for 5 hours and still refuse to come out. I just tried to take her out to go to the bathroom and she snapped at me.
Also how long do you think this will take to stop?

Answers and Views:

Answer by ginbail
Put her in a laundry basket filled with clean clothes!

Answer by T-Dub
She is most likely protecting your scent which is on the dirty clothes. Sorry but I do not know how to stop it.

Answer by Mrs. Strain
First she needs to be trained not to get into the dirty laundry. She’s doing it to guard what she things is “her” stuff. You’ll need to dispel her of that myth.

Answer by The Kid
Take here out. Stupid >)

Answer by mysticmoonprincess01
Sounds to me like your puppy wants some quiet time to itself and likes the laundry basket full of clothes to sleep. Leave the dog alone until it jumps out and then move the basket. You may want to buy it it’s own little bedding, pillow and see if it uses it. If it has one then it just likes that clothes which has your scent on it.

Answer by ruthie a
Dogs(any breed) are pack animals. She is trying to claim this as her territory. Best thing you can do is be calm and assertive, make a noise like SHHHHTTT, or any noise that works for you to let her know that ‘in the pack’ she can’t claim that territory. If she still resists, make your hand like the mouth of another dog, in other words, when you touch her have your hand and fingers curled and don’t pinch her, but touch her strongly, this is how dogs communicate to one another. Do this every time she enters the basket just to let her know that this ‘territory’ is already claimed by you. this will save you and the dog a lot of heartache. You gotta do things she will understand. She is not a human, she is a dog.

Answer by PolishedToes
Bichons are such sweet dogs! We have one too.
Is she growling at you, or just at everyone else? If she’s growling at other people, she’s probably “protecting” the things that smell like you. That’s ok.
If she’s growling at YOU, that’s not ok. Dogs are “pack animals” and she needs to know that you are the pack leader. You will need to show her this by saying “no” or “leave it” in a firm voice and then removing her from the basket. You may want to also try flipping her over on her back and holding her there (gently) for a few seconds. If you watch dogs playing, you’ll see them doing this to each other. It’s how they show their dominance.
Then keep the laundry up out of her reach.

Answer by GSDotch
The dog is viewing the basket as “hers”. You need to stop this QUICKLY because it will get worse if she is allowed to behave this way. It may also start extending to other things, i.e. her bones, food, bed, etc. Just because she is a little dog, doesn’t permit her to behave this way. If she growls at you, push her off of the dirty clothes. If you don’t think you can push her off without getting bit (or don’t want to try), just pick up the end of the basket and dump her out. I would not let her lay in the basket at all, not even if she is being good. While she is young, you should start practicing taking things away from her – bones, food dish, toy, anything. You ALLOW her to have these things, they are not HERS. If she ever snaps at you, you can not back down or else she has won. You have to finish what you start, even if it requires you to grab her by the scruff of her neck and give her a little shake. This won’t hurt her, it is exactly what the mother dog would do if she acted this way. Notice, I said a “little” shake. Tell her no and then put her back on the ground.

Answer by Sas
Number 1: Pick up the basket and put it out of reach.
Number 2: The puppy is starting to dominate you.
Number 3: Start learning how to be the Pack Leader before your dog bites someone.

Answer by Nicole F
Hmm she must think that’s her safe spot and is protective over it ask a dog trainer/ vet for advice.