Need advice about my dog.

Momma&babies

I need some advice on my 10 year old dog. I'm so unsure on what to do, I've had her since she's been 6 weeks old and I love her.

With that being said she's a very fearful dog who is easily spooked. Since my DD has been born she growls at her and hides from her, there has been a few times she has snapped at her showing her teeth but never actually bit her.

I've been very careful to have them in separate rooms most of the time and to always, always watch her like a hawk. Well today we left our playroom to make lunch, Lilly (my dog) was sleeping in front of the fridge and Brielle (my DD) took off running in that direction I told her to stop and ran after her but Lilly got spooked stood up, growled, showed her teeth and snapped at Brielle she was 1 inch away from biting her face.

I'm super shaking up about it and obviously my child's safely comes first. I just don't know what to do. This is probably the 4th time she's snapped at her but never at her face like today. I try my best to keep them apart. I've called a vet who said I could bring her in for a temperament consult but honestly knowing my dog it won't help she's a fearful dog and she is who she is but has anyone done temperament consults before are they worth it? Any other advice?

I really feel like this is a serious situation and I love my dog and my daughter very much. I feel so helpless.

Momma&babies

She is a mix that I adopted when she was a puppy I'm not sure what she is, she's around 50 pounds. Outside really isn't an option, she's a barker and I live in a community that sends out letters over every ridiculous thing (we got a letter even over my husbands business logo being on his van) I do crate her sometimes but I have another dog who is very well behaved and Lilly cries a lot when in the crate. I don't want to crate my other dog because I feel like its unfair.

Kristy774

Bat signal @runningmama14‌

Momma&babies

chmwilliams said:

What about a muzzle? If that would work, then you could work on.things like slowlllllly introducing them to each other, by using treats, etc. It may tke a lot of time, but a muzzle will definitely remove some anxiety. My in-laws use one for their dog, and it helps them a ton. Good luck!

I've never really thought about a muzzle honestly because when they muzzle her at the vet it seems to spike her anxiety she's claws at it, urinates and poops from being so scared every single time they muzzle her. She tries to bite them too so they have to muzzle her for her exams.

Momma&babies

mrsmechanic1 said:

I don't know how old your DD is, as you never mentioned it, unless I missed it.

A temperament test is going to tell you what you already know: she's a nervy dog. It's a tough call to make, and it really depends on the dedication that you have to keeping the dog. First off, your child clearly doesn't understand the rules around the dog yet, so it's your job as the dog's owner to keep the child away from the dog. I understand that the child is the first priority, but by protecting the dog, you protect the child.  The child should not be allowed to be around the dog until they know how to take precautions. The dog is growling and bearing teeth, which is actually a good thing. That's the dog's way of letting your DD know that she's not comfortable. You need to teach your DD that that means to leave the dog alone. If she cannot grasp this, then the dog can't be out with the child.  It's a crappy situation, but it's actually protecting everyone involved.  It won't get better with a new baby.  My suggestion would be to work with a trainer that can help your daughter understand the dog, or rehome the dog to a family with older kids/no kids.

My DD will be two in July. I do keep them apart 95% of the day she's only around her when I'm making her lunch and dinner.

What's weird is Brielle does know not to touch Lilly, Lilly does a good job of going in the other direction Brielle is too. She can love on, hug and kiss our other dog but doesn't even touch Lilly.

Today was a little different because Lilly was sleeping when she typically would run out of Brielle's way but when I yelled for Brielle to stop running it woke up Lilly and she spooked. I'm thinking my only option right now is to take an extra step and crate her while I'm making lunch/dinner that why they won't be around each other at all.

ssstephanie214

Maybe I missed it but what's your hesitation about bringing in a behavior expert? In my experience some dogs seem to get grumpier as they get older. Sometimes medically related, like arthritis or something. Seems like you've already been to the vet though.

Good luck

absolutelymaybe

Momma&babies said:

What about a muzzle? If that would work, then you could work on.things like slowlllllly introducing them to each other, by using treats, etc. It may tke a lot of time, but a muzzle will definitely remove some anxiety. My in-laws use one for their dog, and it helps them a ton. Good luck!

I've never really thought about a muzzle honestly because when they muzzle her at the vet it seems to spike her anxiety she's claws at it, urinates and poops from being so scared every single time they muzzle her. She tries to bite them too so they have to muzzle her for her exams.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything @mrsmechanic1 said. It is important to train your daughter how to behave around the dog for the protection of everyone. I know this isn't an overnight solution, however, so the muzzle thing might help prevent problems in the short-term. You say she gets high anxiety when she's muzzled at the vet, but that's already a highly anxious situation she's in. I would slowly introduce a muzzle to her at home when she is comfortable so she can get used to it. 

kstirton

nobody kill me for saying this - but have you ever considered a training collar or bark collar? We have a chiweenie who barks constantly outside (bark collar works like a charm) and a training (electricy) collar for our hyper-active Sherman shorthaired pointer. Both work wonders. Anytime your dog shows aggressiveness, growls, shows teeth, etc. Beep the collar. If she does it again or doesn't stop the behavior you can send a shock. it startles them and they start to relate the behavior with the shock or beep. Most of the time Mars, our GSP just learns once, and then hears the beep and stops whatever he's doing. A behavior specialist may help too. Or keeping them separated.

jess123456

That's a tricky situation. I would also highly recommend a trainer. We adopted our dog about 1.5 years ago at 4 years old without knowing anything about his history. He had lots of bad habits most of which were probably due to us not knowing how to communicate with him. He has never shown unfriendly behavior though like your dog. I just assumed that because he was already 4 that he couldn't be changed. We took him for private lessons at a professional training facility (not at a pet store but one that just does trainings) and he has completely changed and we now know how to communicate with him. We didn't think it was possible. I definitely think it's worth a try and I would highly recommend doing it before your new baby arrives. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Momma&babies

ssstephanie214 said:

Maybe I missed it but what's your hesitation about bringing in a behavior expert? In my experience some dogs seem to get grumpier as they get older. Sometimes medically related, like arthritis or something. Seems like you've already been to the vet though.

Good luck

I have no hesitation, I will definitely try out a behavior expert I just feel like my dog has always been this way and I don't see her changing but who knows its worth a try.

rox825

Momma&babies said:

Maybe I missed it but what's your hesitation about bringing in a behavior expert? In my experience some dogs seem to get grumpier as they get older. Sometimes medically related, like arthritis or something. Seems like you've already been to the vet though. Good luck

I have no hesitation, I will definitely try out a behavior expert I just feel like my dog has always been this way and I don't see her changing but who knows its worth a try.

Like some others have already suggested, I was also going to suggest a behaviorist.  Not a trainer, there's a difference.  Your vet should be able to refer you to one, or you can research accreditations and find one in your area:  https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/finding-professional-help.  Good luck, hope they can help.

runningmama14

Good for you for being willing to seek out professional help. It is absolutely worth a try. Just because she has always been like this doesn't mean that you and she can't be taught new ways of handling trigger situations for her.

I would highly recommend trying to find a veterinarian that is a board certified behaviorist. They will be your best chance of managing or resolving this issue. If the isn't a vet behaviorist in your area, ask your vet if they know any other vets in town with a special interest (or maybe your vet has a special interest). If that doesn't work, ask the vet for a recommendation for a trainer that is highly experienced that they have worked with before. I have one trainer that I would prefer all my clients would go to, as I know she gives sound advice and does an excellent job of assessing the true problem. I have other trainers that I hope no one ever takes their dog to because they give such terrible advice and usually worsen the problem. Your vet probably had the same insights to trainers in your area.

kstirton

mrsmechanic1 said:

kstirton said:

nobody kill me for saying this - but have you ever considered a training collar or bark collar? We have a chiweenie who barks constantly outside (bark collar works like a charm) and a training (electricy) collar for our hyper-active Sherman shorthaired pointer. Both work wonders. Anytime your dog shows aggressiveness, growls, shows teeth, etc. Beep the collar. If she does it again or doesn't stop the behavior you can send a shock. it startles them and they start to relate the behavior with the shock or beep. Most of the time Mars, our GSP just learns once, and then hears the beep and stops whatever he's doing. A behavior specialist may help too. Or keeping them separated.

NO NO NO!  Again, that bearing of teeth and growing is the warning to the child!  If you teach the dog that growling is bad, then they'll bite without warning instead.  Wrong.

I'm not opposed to using electronic collars or bark collars, but they should be used correctly and to correct/reinforce a behavior where you can't be right next to them or you don't want a "tell" such as reaching for the obedience tab for a correction during training.

Seriously, thank you for that - I never thought of it that way.

CPM13

You said you are able to keep them apart 95% of the time. Would it be possible to crate the dog for the 5% of the time that you are making lunch and dinner? We have a similar situation with my lovely (but grumpy) 11 year old dog. He only growled and nipped at her once but now we just keep them apart pretty much all the time. If they are loose in the same room then one of us is with DD to make sure she doesn't fall on him (he has a bad back and she fell on him the only time he nipped)

He's not crazy about being crated but I am not crazy about him potentially hurting my DD or getting rid of him. So we all just suck it up if he complains while crated. Fortunately it is rare. 

It's tough. I know the feeling of putting baby first but also really loving your pet.

Momma&babies

CPM13 said:

You said you are able to keep them apart 95% of the time. Would it be possible to crate the dog for the 5% of the time that you are making lunch and dinner? We have a similar situation with my lovely (but grumpy) 11 year old dog. He only growled and nipped at her once but now we just keep them apart pretty much all the time. If they are loose in the same room then one of us is with DD to make sure she doesn't fall on him (he has a bad back and she fell on him the only time he nipped)

He's not crazy about being crated but I am not crazy about him potentially hurting my DD or getting rid of him. So we all just suck it up if he complains while crated. Fortunately it is rare. 

It's tough. I know the feeling of putting baby first but also really loving your pet.

I think this is what we will do until we get her to a behavior trainer. I will just have to make sure to crate her before making lunch/dinner.

Thank you all ladies! I feel so much better about the situation. I appreciate all the responses too!

MollMoll4

Momma&babies said:

ssstephanie214 said:

Maybe I missed it but what's your hesitation about bringing in a behavior expert? In my experience some dogs seem to get grumpier as they get older. Sometimes medically related, like arthritis or something. Seems like you've already been to the vet though.

Good luck

I have no hesitation, I will definitely try out a behavior expert I just feel like my dog has always been this way and I don't see her changing but who knows its worth a try.

You will never know if your dog's behavior can be changed unless you try! Get thee to a behavior expert! I would advise against the muzzle in the mean time, creating more anxiety is NOT the answer.

I think the most important notes have been covered by PPs, but I would also like to advise that you monitor your own behavior in their interactions! Dogs are incredibly intelligent and pick up on the emotional vibes we humans are sending out. If you are tense and nervous every time dog and LO are in he same room you can bet your buttons dog is picking up on that tension too. Until you get some help for that pooch do your best to be calm when Lilly and DD are in the same space. Good luck!!

carafern

I don't have any advice to add. PPs seem to now their dog info. I know that I'm going to ask @mrsmechanic1 and @runningmama14 for dog advice if I need it in prep for the LO.

I did want to say that I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sounds like a terrible situation. My BIL had to rehome his dog for this same reason, but FX the training or other suggestions work out.