I know that he doesn't feel good and it is obvious that he wants "mommy", cause he is always hanging out with me, but a couple of time when the kids have petted him he has growled or snipped at them. He hasn't bit them, but it is almost like a warning to get away. He hasn't done it to me once. Is he just irritable with the kids cause he doesn't feel good? Why doesn't he do it to me then?
2006-08-22 17:31:51 · 18 answers · asked by LittleMermaid 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You siad it yourself..He wants and needs your nurturing..He doesn't want or need the children's comraderie..
2006-08-22 17:42:16 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can't answer your question but I can give you a warning, my bestfriends cocker spaniel got sick and in turn got cranky, I mena the dogs demeanor changed. She was the dogs everything and then one day the day snapped and bit a chunk out of her face. She had to go through a lot of surgery. Please be careful and pay very close attention to your dogs cues. I fylour kids are old enough to understand let them know they just gotta leave the pooch alone. Go talk to a vet about this.
2006-08-22 17:40:10 · answer #2 · answered by ploobis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is he sick? Has he been to the vet, or are you just going to let him 'not feel' well? Dogs are PACK animals, and he sees you as the pack leader. Children are often seen by dogs as lower members of the pack, and the dog will try to dominate them. DO NOT ALLOW THIS!!!!! No matter how sick your dog is, he MUST be the bottom of the pack order. Even to the kids. Haven't you read about family pets that kill 7 year old children they grew up with? Take charge, even tho your dog is sick. And keep him isolated from the kids until he is well. All sick and injured animals will bite or snap. Take care of him, and your kids. They are both the perfect life!
2006-08-22 17:37:03 · answer #3 · answered by ravin_lunatic 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Dogs live in packs and your dog sees the family has "his pack". In each pack there is a picking order. The Alpha Dog is the top dog and your dog sees you as Alpha dog. He knows better than to snip or growl at you. That would be wrong in the pack environment.
2006-08-22 17:37:36 · answer #4 · answered by historybug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because you never jump around yelling and screaming or run around waving your arms.Dogs see this as aggressive,unpredictable behavior while all we see is children at play.Your dog knows you'll never hurt him but he's unsure of the kids.He does'nt feel good and he IS warning them that their foolishness will not be tolerated.
Just tell the kids that when they don't feel good they don't want to be bothered and neither does the dog.
2006-08-23 00:53:23 · answer #5 · answered by misbehavin165 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said it... He knows your the mommy and he's just warning the kids that this is not the time to play. Hope he feels well soon.
2006-08-22 17:55:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He loves you and trusts you, but the kids aren't as gentle and he's already cranky. It's a bad combo. Sick animals will even sometimes get cranky with mom and dad, but especially strangers, and animals learn fairly early on that little people are a little less careful then big people.
2006-08-22 17:35:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He knows they play and he doesn't want to. tell them to keep their distance and if he feels like playing he will go to them and then they should make sure they love on him alot but if he growls he is sending the message "NOT NOW KIDS" and thye should steer clear. He doesn't do this to you as he respects you as the pack leader. the kids are just fellow pups. you he has to put up with....You have the paper :-)
2006-08-22 17:36:51 · answer #8 · answered by Uncle Red 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some good answers!
Yes you are the pack leader, but more importantly you are the one that cares for him, and he doesn't feel well! Continue to nuture him, but keep the kids & the dog separate for now...
Hope all goes well!
2006-08-22 18:18:32 · answer #9 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are the one who feeds him, that's the reason why he hasn't snipped at you. You are his food source and he knows that. Dogs tend not to bite the hand that feeds them.
2006-08-22 17:42:12 · answer #10 · answered by Crash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he knows u are the pack leader, and they dont turn on them..The kids may have annoyed him in the past, and he has a lower tolerence for them, now that he is sick.
2006-08-22 17:36:23 · answer #11 · answered by misstikal311 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋