2 weeks ago my daughter's family moved in with us. They have 2 small children. THey have been chasing and bugging the dog. He finally snapped at them, but never my wife. Anything we can do? I can not have him bitting the kids or my wife, but he has been a great dog ntil now.
2006-08-29 17:08:06 · 19 answers · asked by minikuikao 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The key will be to set up boundaries with the kids. Make sure they know they can't tease the dog. You may need to separate the kids from the dog during times when you or your wife can't keep an eye on things. (You might be more sensitive to how your dog is treated than your daughter or her husband.)
The dog may be exhausted from having these kids chase him around all of the time. I'm sure having this new family in the house is stressful on you...it's stressful on the dog also. He's had his relatively peaceful existence crashed by these two kids and probably some disturbance to his "pack".
I think if you can help the kids understand how to treat the dog respectfully, you won't see any more snapping. I don't have kids so I can't suggest any particular books but maybe go to a bookstore to ask if they have any kid's books that help kids learn boundaries in respect to animals.
It might be enough to sit down with them to show them how to pet the dog nicely and gently. And explain that they shouldn't chase the dog, poke it, tug it, throw things at it, etc. :) Show them some acceptable activities to do with the dog -- fetch, brushing his hair, including the kids on walks with him. Perhaps you can setup play times that coincide with when your dog seems to be at his peak of energy for the day. Then the kids will know that it's OK to play with him between 1-2 or whatever but to leave him alone otherwise.
I guess you can consider it a lot like teaching kids how to act around a newborn.
Best wishes blending the new family!
2006-08-29 17:22:20 · answer #1 · answered by stimply 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Watch Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer if you have cable, Within just a couple episodes you should have an answer. I wish I could remember all the details of the family who had a little dog like that who snapped at his wife. Since I can't I won't try because I don't want to give you bad advice, check out dog whisperer on National Geographic.
2006-08-29 17:13:30 · answer #2 · answered by #3 Due December 25th!! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog might just be getting a bit overwhelmed by all the extra commotion in the house now. Try giving him his own special place (like under the table, desk or a crate) for him to go when he needs some alone time, and make sure the kids know that they are not allowed to bother him when he goes into his special place. He will soon learn that when he feels the kids or situation is too much he can go to his little haven and will be left alone.
2006-08-29 18:07:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like he was just rying to get the kids to back off and give him break. I know that this may sound compelty retared to you but thats how dogs "talk". have you ever seen a mother dog and her pups together, if the pups start to get on the mothers nerves to much she'll bite which is kinda of like you yelling at your kids to not poke each other in back seat of car on a road trip. And I'm assuming that he has only seen them on holidays and what not when your familly comes to vist a nd the kids play him and drive him crazy then they go away. You've just got to remeber that if he has only seen the kids every couple of months that it will take him a while to get used to them plus he nine years old so it'll be a little harder for him to ajust to all the noise and what not that goes along with little kids. What i would do is if and when you see him getting annoyned with the kids tell the kids that he needs he needs a break and lock him in your bedroom for a while to give him a break. Good Luck.
2006-08-29 17:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is feeling stressed out.He is getting old,like people things start to get on your nerves after awhile.Not only that but you moved people into his space. Is he getting the attention that he use to get? Or just abuse from the 2 small children.I think you better move the daughter out or put your male away somewhere so he can't get the kids.I know that is kind of harsh to say,after all you don't want anyone to get hurt.Mabey even leave the dog in you and your wifes bedroom. That way the children won't stress him out as much.Good luck.
2006-08-29 17:21:51 · answer #5 · answered by sandywon2002 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you had your dog's eyes checked lately? Bing 9, it's quite possible he's losing his eyesight. Because he cannot see as well, he's scared, and doesn't know who (or what) is coming at him. This possibility-along with the new high energy environment-I might freak out too. Aggression is, a lot of the time, a dog's way of showing fear. I believe your regular vet can detect some sort of sight loss-and can then-if needed send you to a specialist.
Another possibility is he could be in pain. And it's his way of saying "I'm hurting-leave me alone!". Your best bet is a vet checkup to make sure both of these (and probably something I'm missing) can be ruled out.
2006-08-29 17:38:47 · answer #6 · answered by Fermunney 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats why you socialize a dog when its a puppy.Dogs are pack animals & now with the extra people in your house or"pack" his status in the pack is now threatened.His reaction to your wife is his way to regain his rank in the pack.By showing aggressive behaviour he's trying to establish dominance.Try & get the children to ease up on the dog a little & remember he's a senior citizen now & needs a little consideration also.
2006-08-29 17:21:25 · answer #7 · answered by guvner_46 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be that as he have gotten older he just got used to "his" house that way it was before your daughter's family moved in. Now that they are there he is starting to protect his master and friend the only way he knows how, to snap at them. I would just ask that they not chase him because he does not like it and that they might hurt him or he might hurt them. If you daughter's family does not like it to bad it is your house and it should be your rules.
2006-09-02 17:08:43 · answer #8 · answered by harleybaby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might take a while for your dog to get used to new people in his house.. For the dog, its like somebody has moved into HIS territory..So out of excitment and being confused, his personality will change. After a few weeks, if this doesnt stop, he doesnt feel willing to have new people living in his home.
2006-08-29 17:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by Nikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When dogs get older, they seem to get grumpier. If he isn't used to being around children, it's going to take him longer to get used to them than say, a puppy. He was probably just venting his frustration on your wife. I would try to keep him seperate from the children, or only let them be around eachother when they are supervised by an adult. If you see him growling, correct his behavior before it gets worse.
2006-08-29 17:15:57 · answer #10 · answered by purple_sparklies 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋