He used to do it every now and again, but this past few days she cant go near him without him growling.
Please help we love him to bits
Please help we love him to bits
Dog growling at daughter
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I think we need more information. Like, how old is your daughter and how old is your dog? Why has the situation arisen now? Has something changed?
But, as a parent, the bottom line for me is that I couldn't have my child exposed to a risk, no matter how much I loved my dog.
But, as a parent, the bottom line for me is that I couldn't have my child exposed to a risk, no matter how much I loved my dog.
Originally Posted by sadoldbird:
“I think we need more information. Like, how old is your daughter and how old is your dog? Why has the situation arisen now? Has something changed?
But, as a parent, the bottom line for me is that I couldn't have my child exposed to a risk, no matter how much I loved my dog.”
“I think we need more information. Like, how old is your daughter and how old is your dog? Why has the situation arisen now? Has something changed?
But, as a parent, the bottom line for me is that I couldn't have my child exposed to a risk, no matter how much I loved my dog.”
my daughter is 8, we got jock a westie just after christmas. He is 3, the woman whom we got him from said that the reason she was rehoming him was that he was bullying her newfoundland. I asked her how he was with children and she said that he was fine.
She also said that if it didnt work out with jock that she would take him back and put him down.
He would only growl now and again, but this past week he has got worse, I know my daughter hasnt done anything untoward to him.
With a bit more information we might be able to profer ideas on why, but really you need to talk to a qualified and experienced dog behaviourist who can assess your dog and situation properly.
In a situation where the potential for human aggression is involved, I personally feel that advice offered on an internet forum is somewhat dangerous.
Dinner is burning, but I'll look up the website for behaviourists when I get back if no-one else does.
In a situation where the potential for human aggression is involved, I personally feel that advice offered on an internet forum is somewhat dangerous.
Dinner is burning, but I'll look up the website for behaviourists when I get back if no-one else does.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Has your daughter done anything to hurt the dog?”
“Has your daughter done anything to hurt the dog?”
no she is a very sensible 8 year old
At this stage he is still settling in and personally I would find it very worrying - to the point I would not have him in a home with a child at all.
He IMO needs properly accessing by a good rehoming team like the Dogs Trust before he is placed in any further homes.
He IMO needs properly accessing by a good rehoming team like the Dogs Trust before he is placed in any further homes.
we are his third owners and I wanted to give him a proper chance, we all adore him, the growling is his only flaw in every other way he is a lovely dog. I even took him to a friends house the other night were there were other dogs and children albeit a few years older than my daughter and he behaved impecably.
I would be prepared to try a dog behavourist
I would be prepared to try a dog behavourist
It might be worth getting the vet to check him over incase he is hurting somewhere...even sensible 8 year olds tend to be a lot rougher and more cuddly/touchy than adults, he may have a sore spot somewhere
Have you noticed if there is any particular time/reason that he growls? My Border Collie used to growl at my daughter whenever she touched his brush, so I assume she had brushed him to roughly and he hadn't forgotten
I agree though you might be better off getting him assessed by a professional
Have you noticed if there is any particular time/reason that he growls? My Border Collie used to growl at my daughter whenever she touched his brush, so I assume she had brushed him to roughly and he hadn't forgotten
I agree though you might be better off getting him assessed by a professional
Originally Posted by cardbus:
“no she is a very sensible 8 year old”
“no she is a very sensible 8 year old”
Thanks.
Dominance and pack position. The dog obviously sees your daughter as lower in the pecking order.
This needs fixing quickly.
Does your dog have furniture privileges? Getting rid of those will tell your dog who is higher in the pecking order.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Thanks.
Dominance and pack position. The dog obviously sees your daughter as lower in the pecking order.
This needs fixing quickly.
Does your dog have furniture privileges? Getting rid of those will tell your dog who is higher in the pecking order.”
“Thanks.
Dominance and pack position. The dog obviously sees your daughter as lower in the pecking order.
This needs fixing quickly.
Does your dog have furniture privileges? Getting rid of those will tell your dog who is higher in the pecking order.”
The few times he done it before was when he was on the sofa, when it happened he was told to get of the sofa. He now growls at her even if she walks in the room he even growled at her friend today
http://www.apbc.org.uk/
You have to be qualified to be a member of the above, so you should be safe with one of their members. There are a lot of unqualified and barely trained so called behavioursists out there so be careful.
Another thing - has Jock had a recent vet check and have you discussed the problem with your vet? Your vet may also be able to refer you & if you are lucky, it might be covered by your pet insurance (worth checking your policy)
It goes without saying, in the mean time until you see a behaviourist, do not leave Jock and your daughter alone.
Good luck.
You have to be qualified to be a member of the above, so you should be safe with one of their members. There are a lot of unqualified and barely trained so called behavioursists out there so be careful.
Another thing - has Jock had a recent vet check and have you discussed the problem with your vet? Your vet may also be able to refer you & if you are lucky, it might be covered by your pet insurance (worth checking your policy)
It goes without saying, in the mean time until you see a behaviourist, do not leave Jock and your daughter alone.
Good luck.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Thanks.
Dominance and pack position. The dog obviously sees your daughter as lower in the pecking order.
This needs fixing quickly.
Does your dog have furniture privileges? Getting rid of those will tell your dog who is higher in the pecking order.”
“Thanks.
Dominance and pack position. The dog obviously sees your daughter as lower in the pecking order.
This needs fixing quickly.
Does your dog have furniture privileges? Getting rid of those will tell your dog who is higher in the pecking order.”
Sorry stud - but this is exactly the sort of advice I was dreading
Dominance/Pack theory has been debuncted pretty comprehensively.
Originally Posted by cardbus:
“The few times he done it before was when he was on the sofa, when it happened he was told to get of the sofa. He now growls at her even if she walks in the room he even growled at her friend today”
“The few times he done it before was when he was on the sofa, when it happened he was told to get of the sofa. He now growls at her even if she walks in the room he even growled at her friend today”
We seem to have identified the problem. No more Alpha dog! No more furniture priveleges. Space should be respected.
Your daughter should feed your dog for a while. Then your dog should see himself lower in rank.
Originally Posted by StressMonkey:
“Sorry stud - but this is exactly the sort of advice I was dreading
Dominance/Pack theory has been debuncted pretty comprehensively.”
“Sorry stud - but this is exactly the sort of advice I was dreading
Dominance/Pack theory has been debuncted pretty comprehensively.”
I walk dogs for a charity. I do know about their behaviours and how to correct them.
It is political correctness getting in the way of some people's thinking. However,dogs are pack animals and they do have to learn who is Alpha.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“We seem to have identified the problem. No more Alpha dog! No more furniture priveleges. Space should be respected.
Your daughter should feed your dog for a while. Then your dog should see himself lower in rank.”
“We seem to have identified the problem. No more Alpha dog! No more furniture priveleges. Space should be respected.
Your daughter should feed your dog for a while. Then your dog should see himself lower in rank.”
Rubbish
A behaviourist may recommend no more sofa - but because the dog is resource guarding not any of this Alpha dog crap. Or because they are instigating a NIFIL regime. Not being a professional, I wouldn't want to second guess them.
However, no behaviourist is going to risk the safety of a child buy diagnosing the problem from a few short posts on a bloody internet forum.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“I walk dogs for a charity. I do know about their behaviours and how to correct them.
It is political correctness getting in the way of some people's thinking. However,dogs are pack animals and they do have to learn who is Alpha.”
“I walk dogs for a charity. I do know about their behaviours and how to correct them.
It is political correctness getting in the way of some people's thinking. However,dogs are pack animals and they do have to learn who is Alpha.”
No, it is proper scientific research getting in the way of old fashioned, unscientific methods.
Your dog walking experience v a degree based on the most up to date scientific theories of behaviour and learning with relevant experience of a qualified behaviourist, working in the dog's home with a full assesment.
Hmmm......which would I choose when the well being of my child and a loved dog are at risk?
OP - I've recently posted a thread about my beloved dobermann that I had to have put down due to her going for my son.
BUT she was almost 8 and we'd worked with her for years, so I hope that you will try with Jock before giving in.
Firstly as others have suggested a behaviourist may be able to help diagnose why he is growling, however as he's had 3 homes it sounds like you will never know the truth of his past.
Secondly - get him muzzled now, whenever your daughter is in the house, until you sort this it is not worth the risk. Despite him being small he could scar her for life (or worse) in seconds. My Dobe being muzzled is the only thing that saved my son from serious injury (as it was he ended up with a black eye, a lump on his head and a bloody nose). Soft muzzles are not going to cause him much problem although he won't like it, and you can take it off when she is at school / in bed etc.
Jackies are known for being snappy, and their size doesn't help - they tend to think they are big dogs.
i hope you work it out. But as I've discovered its best not to take chances, you need to make sure your daughter is safe first off.
BUT she was almost 8 and we'd worked with her for years, so I hope that you will try with Jock before giving in.
Firstly as others have suggested a behaviourist may be able to help diagnose why he is growling, however as he's had 3 homes it sounds like you will never know the truth of his past.
Secondly - get him muzzled now, whenever your daughter is in the house, until you sort this it is not worth the risk. Despite him being small he could scar her for life (or worse) in seconds. My Dobe being muzzled is the only thing that saved my son from serious injury (as it was he ended up with a black eye, a lump on his head and a bloody nose). Soft muzzles are not going to cause him much problem although he won't like it, and you can take it off when she is at school / in bed etc.
Jackies are known for being snappy, and their size doesn't help - they tend to think they are big dogs.
i hope you work it out. But as I've discovered its best not to take chances, you need to make sure your daughter is safe first off.
Originally Posted by StressMonkey:
“No, it is proper scientific research getting in the way of old fashioned, unscientific methods.
Your dog walking experience v a degree based on the most up to date scientific theories of behaviour and learning with relevant experience of a qualified behaviourist, working in the dog's home with a full assesment.
Hmmm......which would I choose when the well being of my child and a loved dog are at risk?”
“No, it is proper scientific research getting in the way of old fashioned, unscientific methods.
Your dog walking experience v a degree based on the most up to date scientific theories of behaviour and learning with relevant experience of a qualified behaviourist, working in the dog's home with a full assesment.
Hmmm......which would I choose when the well being of my child and a loved dog are at risk?”
I have a degree in which behavioural,environmental and social/group psychology was part of it. Completed 2007. I would call that up to date.
It is a case of changing positions. A too confident dog and an under confident daughter will lead to conflict. "I am above you"
Then again a under confident dog and a confident daughter will also lead to conflict. "Go away! I feel threatened"
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“I walk dogs for a charity. I do know about their behaviours and how to correct them.
It is political correctness getting in the way of some people's thinking. However,dogs are pack animals and they do have to learn who is Alpha.”
“I walk dogs for a charity. I do know about their behaviours and how to correct them.
It is political correctness getting in the way of some people's thinking. However,dogs are pack animals and they do have to learn who is Alpha.”
Anyone can walk a dog for charity, its a whole different ball game working with them full-time. I worked with greyhounds and lurchers for a long time and also owned various small breeds in the past.
I think its a cop out just to give the dog back to its previous owner and for them to go and put the poor anim al down.
Somewhere along the line something has happened to the westie. I agree a dog behaviorist is worth a try, also checked out at the vets. Its not the dogs fault and i don't think it should be put down, if thats going to be the case, give it to the dogs trust. Unless its actaully bitten someone the vet wont put a dog down. Also dogs are normally growl for a reason, maybe it doesnt like kids, its not a crime.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“I have a degree in which behavioural,environmental and social/group psychology was part of it. Completed 2007. I would call that up to date.
”
“I have a degree in which behavioural,environmental and social/group psychology was part of it. Completed 2007. I would call that up to date.
”
In people? - then what relevance does it have?
To be honest I'd just get rid of the dog. If the previous owner said she'd destroy him don't give him back to her. Hand him over to the RSPCA or a dog rescue.
I wouldn't risk him biting my child.
It's not fair on either your child or the dog for this situation to continue. Your daughter should be enjoying the experience of having a dog when she's a child.
This dog has obviously not been socialised correctly with humans - especially children. He may be OK in an all adult household.
I wouldn't risk him biting my child.
It's not fair on either your child or the dog for this situation to continue. Your daughter should be enjoying the experience of having a dog when she's a child.
This dog has obviously not been socialised correctly with humans - especially children. He may be OK in an all adult household.
Originally Posted by StressMonkey:
“In people? - then what relevance does it have?”
“In people? - then what relevance does it have?”
Animals and humans. You can't study human psychology without also studying animal psychology. The two disciplines merge as we are animals too and plenty of comparisons of behaviour come into play as we are all behavioural creatures and have space and territory needs.
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Animals and humans. You can't study human psychology without also studying animal psychology. The two disciplines merge as we are animals too and plenty of comparisons of behaviour come into play as we are all behavioural creatures and have space and territory needs.”
“Animals and humans. You can't study human psychology without also studying animal psychology. The two disciplines merge as we are animals too and plenty of comparisons of behaviour come into play as we are all behavioural creatures and have space and territory needs.”
So, not a specific degree in animal behaviour, including detailed modules in canine behaviour?
I know you mean well stud - but this is a child at risk here.
Would you two stop fighting over who's more qualified please lol
OP - I'd say you should seek advice from your vet who may be able to refer you to a behaviourist, rather than relying on advice here. No offence intended to anyone trying to help in here, but you will always get conflicting opinions online and with a situation as potentially serious as this, I wouldn't be inclined to take the chance if I were you.
OP - I'd say you should seek advice from your vet who may be able to refer you to a behaviourist, rather than relying on advice here. No offence intended to anyone trying to help in here, but you will always get conflicting opinions online and with a situation as potentially serious as this, I wouldn't be inclined to take the chance if I were you.
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