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Getting Aggressive? Need Advice Sadie has always been extremely docile and loving. She is 2 1/2 years old now. Never would hurt a fly. Since my company arrived about a month ago there have been a few instances where she will snap and try to nip you. Each time it was when she was sleeping soundly and she was poked (possibly hurt?)or moved by mistake. She never did this before, even in the same circumstance. It has only been since my family came here. Then over the Thanksgiving weekend, my cousin's son reached around to hug me while I was holding Sadie. I think he may have squished her just a little. I could not see very well what happened next, but it looked like she opened her mouth to bite him. He laughed and said she kissed him on the face, so we are not sure exactly what happened. She was EXTREMELY docile with the baby and has always loved children. So really not sure what happened there. What can I do to prevent any future nipping and such? Wondering if she will just calm down again once her world gets back to normal? Really don't want her turning aggressive...... |
Hmmmm...well, first, I have to wonder if there is something wrong/hurting her...so do palpate her all over her body (joints, spine, leg, hips, paws, teeth etc) to see if something is in pain bc that can def make a dog behave defensively. Google "resource guarding" as she may have been doing that when you were holding her and the child came up. If you think she is doing this, there should be some suggestions for resource guarding. |
Thanks. I'll look into that. She doesn't seem to be in pain, and doesn't cry when she snaps. I'll feel around today to make sure. I am wondering if she is just out of sorts with all this change? She does not like change and gets very subdued and "depressed". |
If she is eliminating and eating well and no obvious signs of pain when you palpated her all over; my first goto would be resource guarding - you or her couch chair what-ever. this is not that quick of a fix. But she must be Immediately Corrected. Taken off the couch or chair with a firm and clear NO. If she is snarling or snapping at your guests she is corrected and now you tether her to your waist if you want her to interact with your guests. Puts you into a position to immediately correct bad behaviour. Immediate is keyword here. Always couple the correction with a stern NO. And btw periodically over the years you might have to re-instate the tethering or corrections. I know I do have to with my senior Yorkie who likes to slip back into resource guarding *me*. |
Thanks. I'll keep an eye on it. She is usually fine when it is just the two of us. I'll keep a close watch when company is here. |
Piper got very edgy and rather aggressive after three days of workmen in and out of the house, passing within a few feet of her dozens of times a day, drills, saws, pounding; plus she was very restricted in movement as front/back door open and backyard gate often left open. On about the third or fouth day, while I was holding her, she actually lunged at my landlord as he walked in front us. Within days of remodeling ending, Piper was back to herself and I haven't seen anything like that since...And I must say, at the time, I was about ready to take down the next floor stomping construction guy that got within range myself!!! It was all rather nerve-wracking, but as I said, calm was restored and peace has prevailed. |
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