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DamSweet · 11-30-2010, 07:15 AM

I just received a call from my son saying they were coming home for the holidays, and as any grandma I’m really excited. But this is where my concerns come in. When they left in August my youngest grandson was just a year old and my older grandson just turned 6. Before they left whenever Devon (the 6 year old) would come up to me, Bridget would growl and jump on him, which of course scared him. Bridget has never bit…..yet. I reprimanded Bridget with a firm NO and tried to show her that Devon meant neither her nor me any harm. I’ve also had Devon come bearing treats, and toys which helped Bridget relate to his presence as being a positive thing…for her. Bridget would play fetch with him and lay with him. The problem usually arose when Devon would come near me, if I went to Devon, all was well. Luckily he is old enough to understand how Bridget reacts so if he wants me to sit by him he would sit first, and I would go to him. I would also make a point of including her in my time spent with him so she wasn’t feeling like she was being neglected, or replaced. My youngest grandson Bradley is just 11/2 years old, and there is no way I’m going to explain Bridget to him. As I’ve said – Bridget has never bit – but in the event that she does……what is the correct reaction? I know that my reaction to her action will make a world of difference. While we were in the mall this weekend and people would approach us – she was great. It may be that the boys are on “her territory”?
I may be jumping the gun here, as she has become much better with that type of thing since Greta has joined our family, but she still growls at my fiancé when he comes to kiss me good night. But he is considerably bigger than the boys, and just tells her to “shush”, or just talks to her in a calm voice. I also firmly tell her “NO” when she starts and reassure her that he is ok, as I think since it is me she is “protecting” I should be the one to tell her that her behavior is not correct. If I’m holding her when he comes over to kiss me – she’ll give him kisses too….no growl or anything. Her growl usually comes with a tail wag, so I don’t think she means any harm. Again – she has never bit, and I don’t think she will, but I would like to be prepared to do the right thing “if” it happens.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

11-30-2010, 07:15 AM	#1
DamSweet Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Erie, PA, USA Posts: 1,236 Blog Entries: 1	my reaction to her possible action?? I just received a call from my son saying they were coming home for the holidays, and as any grandma I’m really excited. But this is where my concerns come in. When they left in August my youngest grandson was just a year old and my older grandson just turned 6. Before they left whenever Devon (the 6 year old) would come up to me, Bridget would growl and jump on him, which of course scared him. Bridget has never bit…..yet. I reprimanded Bridget with a firm NO and tried to show her that Devon meant neither her nor me any harm. I’ve also had Devon come bearing treats, and toys which helped Bridget relate to his presence as being a positive thing…for her. Bridget would play fetch with him and lay with him. The problem usually arose when Devon would come near me, if I went to Devon, all was well. Luckily he is old enough to understand how Bridget reacts so if he wants me to sit by him he would sit first, and I would go to him. I would also make a point of including her in my time spent with him so she wasn’t feeling like she was being neglected, or replaced. My youngest grandson Bradley is just 11/2 years old, and there is no way I’m going to explain Bridget to him. As I’ve said – Bridget has never bit – but in the event that she does……what is the correct reaction? I know that my reaction to her action will make a world of difference. While we were in the mall this weekend and people would approach us – she was great. It may be that the boys are on “her territory”? I may be jumping the gun here, as she has become much better with that type of thing since Greta has joined our family, but she still growls at my fiancé when he comes to kiss me good night. But he is considerably bigger than the boys, and just tells her to “shush”, or just talks to her in a calm voice. I also firmly tell her “NO” when she starts and reassure her that he is ok, as I think since it is me she is “protecting” I should be the one to tell her that her behavior is not correct. If I’m holding her when he comes over to kiss me – she’ll give him kisses too….no growl or anything. Her growl usually comes with a tail wag, so I don’t think she means any harm. Again – she has never bit, and I don’t think she will, but I would like to be prepared to do the right thing “if” it happens. Any advice is greatly appreciated. __________________ Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Donna......owned by Bridget and Greta (and wouldn't have it any other way!)