I have a new dog and need some help!?

Question

I adopted a new dog last week and I have been putting him through the usual tests to see what is "too far" for him (i have small kids) so far I cant find what sets him off he seems to tolerate everything. I've had many other dogs and training in dog behavior, ALL the other dogs I've ever worked with I have been able to find there weakness but he dont seem to have one.
Any help finding out what it could be ? I may have forgot one thats never happened before or something.


the things i have tryed: pulling ears, tail, pulling hair, picking up, wearing gloves, taking away his food, waking him up, getting in his face (you get a kiss), messing with his feet, his mouth, giving him a bath,

the only thing we have found that he dont like is CATS! (as long as they run) and tape mesures (he runs)!

hes 3 years old basset hound benchleg beagle mix. we adopted him before he could be sent to a shelter (the shelter they were going to sent him to puts down 95% of what they take in as soon as they arrive because they dont have room)
his previous owner was my step fathers brother, and hadnt had him that long (they moved to a no pets home)
we have two other dogs and he gets along with them great!
and we tryed the "testing" the night we got him while the kids were asleep and again after he had settled into his new home and yes he is very settled! (and very lazy)

his name is Midget,
and the only reason we want to find his weakness is for our kids (so we can warn them not to do it) we love the dog but we love our kids more and would find it a shame to have them scared of an animal because we didnt know what not to do to a perticular animal.
we are not encuraging aression we are trying to prevent an attack on our chlidren,
(our kids are 6y 5y4y and newborn)

Answer 1

The only ones I can think of are wearing a hat (or a few different hats), sunglasses, and opening an umbrella.
The other one I've seen evaluators do is they have a person playfully and calmly interacting with the dog (who is on a leash), then a man walks into the room yelling (just for a few seconds), like "get that dog outta here, blah blah blah" and waving his hand. They say the man should give a treat immediately after doing that to apologize. This tests their reaction but also the time they hold a grudge...some will forgive instantly with the treat, but some never recover, so it may be best if you have a guy friend do the yelling part. --Always apologize with a treat after a test like this.

Therapy dogs go through extensive testing...At the bottom of this, I put some links to their list of things to test for and how.

Sounds like you have a great dog! With a dog like that, just be sure your kids are as well behaved towards the dog as he is toward them, and it sounds like a beautiful match.

I had a friend who had a German Shepard who was sweet as pie and really submissive. Her 2-year-old was swinging a racket around and smacked the dog right on the spine. He turned around and bit the baby in the face (she's fine - some stitches)...I'm sure getting smacked like that hurt and ANY animal (including human) would react like that - it's a natural defense reaction - but her mom put the dog down. Just as it was the owner's responsibility to the child to make sure the child is safe around the dog, it was her responsibility to the dog to make sure the dog is safe around the child as well. In this dog's case, it meant his life.

Also, thank you for rescuing a dog. You were probably the only thing standing between him and certain death.

The ASPCA estimates that they euthanize around 4 million dogs and cats every year. Yes, 4,000,000! Most simply because there are not enough homes and shelters to take them. Adopt, foster, volunteer, educate, donate.

Answer 2

Have you thought about teaching your children to respect and treat the dog nicely. This is by far the easiest way to prevent accidents. We have a 9 month old son and 3 dogs and a cat and he already knows not to: pull the dogs tail, grab their ears, get in their food, and basically just how to treat the animals nice. It sounds like your dog is a really good natured dog, so why not lay off the dog and teach the kids how to be nice to the animal.

Answer 3

Well, one thing is that you may have just gotten a wonderful dog from a rescue/shelter that happens to be really tolerant. But, remember, you have only had him for a week and so he may not have entered a "comfort zone" yet in your home. We took in a rescue last summer and it was at about 3-4 weeks before he began to show signs of dominance over my very young children (he was a really big pup at 4 months). It was at that time we decided he wasn't a good fit in our home, as we were not prepared to deal with this. So he went back to the rescue, with us suggesting to the rescue, he be placed in a home with older children who could properly participate in his training and be able to establish their dominance over him.

So I say to keep an eye out over the next few weeks as your new dog settles in a bit more and see if he still tolerates these things. Hopefully, he's just a happy, well adjusted, tolerant dog and you'll have no worries!

Answer 4

Some dogs are just like that our dog cujo (may he rip) would let our kids do what ever they wanted to him they would jump on him pull his ears and tail what ever he would just lay there some dogs are just very laid back like that but when it came time for him to protect use he could get very mean if needed but never at us so you must have found a great dog just go with it

Answer 5

Midget sounds like a cool dude. I would make one suggestion. If this were my situation, I would look very carefully at the personality of the former owner/master. Would that person ever have mistreated the animal? Would he ever have used any corporal punishment or abuse?

My opinion is that dogs are smarter than we ususally give them credit for; they are extremely social beings; and very pack-oriented. It is my opinion that unsociable behavior usually comes from mis-treatment, and under good circumstances, is NOT to be expected.

I would say, continue to observe carefully, research his past treatment, and give him lots of love and companionship. Good luck.

Answer 6

Well - you want your dog to be successful, right? Rather than continuing to try to find a weakness, you can enjoy the dog that you have. In any case, the "weakness" you describe can be attributed to bad handling. You are not wrong for making sure that you are not going to set off any of this dog's triggers, but the tone of your question indicates that you are encouraging him to aggress. What happens then?

Answer 7

Maybe you lucked out with a very good natured dog. Have you read up on the dog breed. Certain breeds are just more tolerant (such as Malteses seem to be very tolerant gentle dogs)

Other things that you can try would be to make sudden loud noises/screams, trying stealing his toys while he is playing with them and throwing some of the children's toys at him.

Answer 8

I'd say you should quit abusing this poor dog!
He sounds wonderful - now leave him alone & just enjoy him.
By the way - who told you these are "the usual tests????"
I have never done any of these things to any of my dogs & they've all been wonderful.
I have a dog who doesn't like trash bags - but that's OK. The fact that your dog doesn't like tape measures shouldn't concern you, unless you think he has a future as a carpenter.

Answer 9

Some dogs do have a weakness unless one of your kids grab his testicules. Ive seen many dogs like that. Especially males who have be nutered. Be thankful you found a dog like that many people would love to have him.

Answer 10

sometimes when dogs don 't recognize their owner, like a mailperson, or utility personnal, they will get defensive. But I think you have a great dog there, enjoy him/her. By the way what's the dogs name? I would love to know. Take care,