For All the Moms Who Are Good with Animals

You're not the first mom I have seen write in about dogs & behavior. My husband and I own a successful dog training business and my suggestion would be to contact a professional trainer & speak with them about the behavior. I would not suggest taking advice from people who are not properly trained to deal with dogs. Not to be mean to the other moms and their suggestions, but that's why there are professional dog trainers.

best of luck to you!

Before I get all of the animal lovers upset with me, please know: we are animal lovers, we've always had 1-2 dogs at all times, plus cats, hamsters, fish, rabbits, reptiles, etc. Our dogs are positively loved and spoiled in our household and are fabulous playmates to all of our children. I adore them. However, I also got a dog from the shelter a few years ago and she seemed great with the kids. However, she and one of my other dogs kept going at it, once getting in a fight with my 12 year old in the room and blood was flying, and once getting in a fight with my 1 year old in the room and my husband tried to break it up and ended up getting bit. That was it. I wasn't risking my children getting hurt even if it was by accident. We gave her away. Family comes first! FYI: I did ALOT of research after that to find the perfect dog - one that would get along with my current dog, one that was GREAT with kids, etc. We got a Miniature Schnauzer - best dog EVER! I wish I had several! Good luck and God bless!

I agree you should take her to a vet. She may have an ear infection, or something causing pain she can't express.
Hope that it works out!
R.

S.,
It is going to take her a long time to feel completely secure. Even then, she might only feel completely okay with only certain family members.
We adopted Buster a few years ago and he is still snaps, especially at strangers. He is normally okay, but sometimes a sudden movement can trigger his behavior. As of now he has not bitten. We are somewhat careful with my 16 month old around him, but not too much. He is a good dog, he protects us, especially my kid. But he is temperamental around strangers. Just becareful not to let him off guard with strangers and visitors.
Good luck and don't give up.
ceci

Dogs with this sort of back ground are more unpredictable. She needs help in knowing that she is safe, that she can trust you, but that you are the boss. If you haven’t done so already I would advise taking a good obedience training class with her. Do not free feed. Make her sit and wait before you give her food. Any activities that require her to use restraint before she gets what she wants, like waiting at the door for your command before she goes out, will help her to know who is in charge. The fact that this started suddenly may indicate some sort of health issue as well. You didn’t mention how old she is or how much attention she gets on a regular basis. Dogs that spend the majority of their lives outside have a higher rate of behavior problems, including aggression towards people. Her overall mental and physical condition plays a large part in determining her behavior. The SPCALA has a web site where you can email questions to a trainer. You may try calling them and asking for a referral for a trainer as well. (562) 570-SPCA. I hope you find someone to help you so that you don't get bit and she doesn't loose her home.

Bless you S. for rescuing this dog. The thing about rescued dogs are that you don't know their past, and thus what is triggering her bad attitude. I would recommend a trip to the vet just to make sure there isn't a physical problem since this behavior just sprung up.

I know a great, honest vet in Garden Groveb- Brookhaven Pet Hospital - ###-###-####. They will give you an honest evaluation of your dog and they will not rip you off. Ask to speak to Sandy.

I hope everything works out for you.

C.

The Dog Whisperer is a great show to watch.

S. have her thyroid checked. Sometimes times when a dogs thyroid goes underactive they get grumpy like you explained due to not feeling well. A thyroid test is pretty inexpensive and is a good start into trying to find a problem. So while at the vet ask for a thyroid panel to be done, then you can rule that out if its not her thyroid. Take care.

S. A.
I commend you on trying to make a difference with animals. But animals have diseases like humans, example; my mother had a wiener dog (douche hound) and the dog began showing signs of aggression, this was also the prelude to epilepsy. He even lunged at my oldest when he called the dogs name. My son was bitten by a normally harmless animal. Yes, I did become very angry. But, this is very common from what I was told in dogs with long backs, arthritis is also common in shepherds and medium size dogs. Have a vet check into any type of disorders as these as they will cause the dog to become aggressive when in pain. If the dog has arthritis, I used to give my dogs one aspirin two to three times a day for pain. Dogs don't speak (as you know) and when they growl it is a sign that there is a problem, but they cannot tell you personally. They will growl when you touch certain areas that hurt the most, this will tell you if you need to use pain medications. I hope this helps, Good Luck. Get a vet to test your dog for arthritis and other problems that could be existent, dogs are like people and get all the health problems people do.

Try the vet there could be other problems, ear infection, worms, things you can't see but the dog knows. Also you mention it happens when the dog is sleeping, does the dog have a designated spot to sleep? If she does then make sure the kids and you leave her alone when she is in her sleeping spot.It gives her some down time to relax and unwind too.

Also I second the recommendation for Ceser Millan. He is amazing with dogs and his techniques work wonders. Here is his website!
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
You can also find episodes of his shows on youtube.

As others have said, it's worth the expense to have your dog checked out by a vet to rule out illness.

She definately needs her own spot for resting. A crate will give her a den, somewhere she can go to feel safe and secure.

Lots of walks will help ensure that she does not become destructive or act out due to boredom.

Not super insightful stuff, but tried and true.

We hired Paul Owens (he penned a book "The Dog Whisperer" long before Caesar Milan came along, not that Caesar isn't fabulous!), but Paul came to our house and within an hour, had worked miracles with our naughty dog. We had different issues than yours, but his book or website might be worth a visit.

Good luck, and bless you for rescuing!!!

http://www.dogwhispererdvd.com/paul_owens.html

Hi S., we have a rescue dog as well, we got her when she was 2 months old, we were told at the shelter that her and her stister was found on the street, she started doing the same thing, but she wouls actually grab some people with her mouth, never clamp down, never left a mark on anyone, when she would grawl we just said, Hey in a firm voice and she would stop, she did that for a while then she just stoped, now shew will still bark and grawl at stranges, but that's OK, I think sometimes people give off a certain sent, that sets them off, or reminds them of something from their past, when she grawls address it in a firm voice, we watched many shows of the Dog Whisper, he's great, we learned alot about being a pack leader, and Trina is now a different dog. she just turned one year yesterday. J. L.

Take her to a dog class for training and behavior issues. Our dog does that too when she's tired, but she never bites us - sometimes a little snap but not on our skin. She only does it when the kids bother her a lot.

Wow S., so many things could be going on. First I agree with everyone who said you should take the dog to a vet and have a check-up including blood work done. I just had to have a Yorkie put down, very long story but the gist of it is he had pancreatitis that was so advanced he went into renal failure, and got pulmonary edema. The only change in him was he started becoming aggressive to our other Yorkie, whom he had been with his whole life, and he was always the submissive dog. Dogs are very stoic creatures and don't tend to show their pain.
Second, your dog may just need her own space to feel safe, like a crate that she can crawl into where no one bothers her. Teach your kids and your dog that this is her space.
Third, she may have decided she's the alpha and you need to show her you're in charge. Many others have mentioned the Dog Whisperer and I think it's a great show. Or you could hire a trainer or animal behaviorist.
Good luck to you and your doggy,
S. G.

We have two rescued dogs and have used Cesar Milan's (the Dog Whisperer) techniques to help them become good dogs. It sounds like your dog has decided that she's the boss in the house, and you need to nip that in the bud before she bites someone. Dogs need to know that their owners are the alpha dogs. Get a Cesar Milan book or watch his show The Dog Whisperer. Good luck!

S.,
Have you ever watched Ceasar, the dog whisper. He always has great dog tips and now he has a website.

We have a pit bull that was given to us by my Mary Kay Director's neice. We have to be dominate to her at all time, this is control without hitting or yelling. She is a really good dog and can be correct with just a sound.

I think you are going to have to watch your four legged baby very closely to see what exactly is the trigger and than correct her before she has a chance to be naughty.

Good luck I know it is worth your efforts.

Hi S.,

I'd see your vet for advice.

Are your kids in her face too much? Sometimes I have to tell my son to give our dog a rest.

:-) D.

You say that you don't think she's ill, but have you had her checked at the vet just in case? We also have an adopted rescue dog that was likely on the streets for a bit and likely abused. He took about a year to become secure with us. He was great for the next two years and then started to get growly with my husband and (yikes!) my 3-year-old, mostly when he was tired or sleeping. Turns out, he was suffering from hypothyroid. Once he was on medication for his thyroid, our wonderful dog returned and he is no longer growly with us. Because the symptoms he had were gradual, we honestly didn't think anything was wrong with his health either. Just a thought. I hope that you find a solution to her behavior.

Like many of the others have indicated, it's worth a trip to the vet to be sure your dog isn't quietly ill. Dogs naturally cover their weaknesses (pain, illness, etc.) as it's a survival mechanism from the wild. In the wild, the weak ones are picked off from the pack so they hide it until they are no longer able to do so. I had a dog that we had to put down a little over a year ago. I was so heartbroken to lose my furry little boy and find out that he'd been suffering for quite some time without showing much indication of his pain. The few symptoms I'd noticed and taken him to the vet were unfortunately misdiagnosed as his condition was one unique to big dog breeds, and mine was a small mutt. Apparently he had a big dog breed somewhere in his mix, but the vet didn't think to even look for that form of cancer since he didn't fit the dog type. I'm a firm believer of having a dog checked out thoroughly by a vet if you notice a sudden change in their temperment or behavioral patterns that don't really seem to have a cause. Snappy behavior can especially be a sign of pain and discomfort that they don't otherwise know how to communicate. Hopefully your dog will receive a good bill of health and some work with a good dog trainer will resolve the issue for you (which I've also had great success with)! They are truly like children that need regular physicals and disciplinary guidance! Best of luck to you!!!

Hi S.,
Growly and snappy behavior are dominant, self protective behaviors. Dogs are pack animals, you are part of that pack. If you and your children were also dogs, what would this behavior mean? I'm guessing, it is a territorial warning if it is always done when tired and sleeping. She is establishing her boundaries. She is also saying, "I'm alpha female, I'm warning you." or she is scared and feels defenseless and is saying, "I'm scared." However the behavior is, she cannot be allowed to snap. If you were dominant alpha dog in the pack what would you do? Cower away, or bark at her and give her the message you are the alpha? If you are training her, asking her to look to you for her behavior, giving her commands she can understand, she will defer to you. If you aren't ready to be your dog's alpha, the dog will become that naturally, the leader of the pack.
Good Luck,
Wendy

Our dog is a "rescue." She was abandoned as a puppy and we took her in. She has the exact same personality as your dog. Not cuddly, affectionate, actually dangerous if you go near her when she's eating, will growl if you pet her while she's sleeping. What I've learned from trainers is that she is an "Alpha dog." All that behavior is what the leader of the pack does to the dogs "beneath" her. She is definitely more submissive to my husband and other males in general. We've learned that their food and where they sleep are areas that they tend to dominate if you allow them too. I know we could've "broken" her of this behavior but we never have. We just make sure to keep our daughter from playing with her unattended. Good luck. I hope this helps?!

I have been raised with all kinds of dogs and at one point I took in 26 stray dogs...well I was warned to find homes for them or I had to find a home-ha ha ha, well I was able to find homes for all the dogs but I noticed 2 dogs were acting them same way as you described your dog...we placed a camera in the yard & found a neighbor and later a family member was taunting them and throwing things at them when we were not around or not home..thus causing the dogs to become fearful and growling at us - the ones who loved them & took care of them...this may be the problem - and you may not be aware of who is hurting them....you may want to try this - also you want to be sure to take them to a vet to be sure they are not suffering from any disease or illness.....good luck

Hi S.,

We too have a rescue dog that all of the sudden starting having aggresion issues last summer. He was gentle and loving for about 2 1/2 years before we started having behaviioral issues.

I consulted a dog trainer is San Clemente named Denise Sbath, CPDI ###-###-#### or www.theenglishtrainer.com. She helped us train our dog when we first adopted him and I highly recommend her services. Anyway, here is some advise she gave us. She said our dog didn't have enough discipline. We allowed him to bark at the door,jump on the couch without being invited just basically too much freedom without boundaries. This is turn made the dog forget his place and become more vocal and aggressive. She recommended going back to the basic training techiniques we used when he was a puppy. Make him sit, stay, roll over and expose his belly especially when he didn't want to...like the times he growls. We had to go back to crate training which reminded him what belonged to him and what belonged to us.

He is back to his normal self now. It did take a quite a time committment to get him there but it is worth the work. I hope this helps... if you have more questions let me know. If you can afford $90.00 for one hour Denise will come to your home and work with the dog in his surroundings. We just did one hour with Denise and some tough love and our sweet dog is back.

Wish you much luck!
Lynn

Hi S.,

Ditto on a trip to the vet's, and working with a good professional trainer. you (or her primary person) should take her to class, so you learn how to work with her.

You didn't say how old she is, or what breed(s). It's possible she's coming into heat, though that doesn't usually make a dog snappish.

A book I love is called "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" (yeah, I know, sappy title, but it's great) by the Monks at New Skete. They raise and train German Shepherds, and have great advice.

Please have her evaluated ASAP, so you know she's in good health, and to minimize any risk to your family.

Aggressive and/or fearful behavior will not resolve on its own, and has the potential to become serious really quickly.

good luck!
C.

You didn't say how old the dog is. We got a wonderful shelter dog for my mother (who lived with us) and after some great years she also started growling and snapping. It turned out that she was probably somewhat older than the shelter vet had thought, and she had early onset "Doggie Alzheimers." She deteriorated mentally and stopped eating and we finally had to put her down. I certainly hope this isn't your story, but I agree with those that say take the dog to the vet to see what the cause is.