Another concern about recently adopted dog.?

Question

The Pomeranian we adopted yesterday, in addition to marking everything in the shelter and outside and trying to mark in the house, also nipped at our son. My husband became really upset about this and wanted to return the dog. The dog was in his bed trying to go to sleep. My son went to him and was petting him gently and talking to him. The dog did not snap until my son attempted to get in the bed with him. My reaction was to tell the dog, "No Biting" and reitterate to my son that he does not bother the dog when he's resting or eating. My son stopped crying very quickly and seemed to understand what I had told him. Is the nipping something to be concerned about to the extent that we should take the dog back, or take the dog to obedience school, or will educating my son and firmly reprimanding the dog take care of it?

Answer 1

If you can swing it, obedience school is never a bad idea, especally for an adopted dog.

Also, your son needs to reprimand the dog when he trys to bite or is doing something bad. Have your son tell the dog "no bite!" loudly and firmly. The dog seems to think he is above your son in the pack and that needs to be corrected right away.

Answer 2

This is not an obedience school situation. The dog nipped at your son because the dog considers his bed to be his territory, a place where he can go to be alone in his own bed. Obviously your son meant no harm, but the dog is still adjusting to his new surroundings and this takes some time. Changes in living conditions are very stressful for dogs, as well as humans. Time spent with a loving and patient family will take care of the situation easily. Teach your son that there are some places he should not try to share with the dog, no matter how much he loves the dog and wants to be with it. The food bowl, the water bowl and the dog's bedding are his domains alone and he will not be receptive to sharing. Just a fact of life concerning dogs. You really don't have a serious problem, just try to be patient and understand that the dog has feelings and stresses, too. Bless you for adopting him. There are so many good and wonderful dogs that need adoption by good-hearted families.

Answer 3

Once you adopt a pet you need to make the best effort possible. When a dog nips at a child people can really over react. I tried to teach my children all the things they needed to know about pets very early like never approach the dog from the rear, don't touch his food or try to pet a strange dog or a dog in a car with the window rolled down. If you can find a good dog trainer (no hitting)that can come to your house and watch your family dynamic it will probably help out a lot.

This dog is so new to you and your family that he needs time for a learning curve and to establish a comfort level. During the first couple of weeks the dog will need to understand the pack (family). Small kids should be helped to understand that the dog is still frightened and needs time to get used to all the new surroundings.

Have patience and try to help your husband to make a calm and rational decision. Your son will truly benefit from seeing you both treat an animal with compassion and patience. They learn so much from watching how we treat other people but also all other creatures. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

No need to worry. Keep in mind that your pet has not had a home before this. Your home and family are still new to it. You and your family should take extra steps to make the dog feel at ease. Your husband's overreaction is somewhat understandable, but a little concerning. How would you feel if you were in a strange place and some strange animal tried to crawl into bed with you? Obedience training is never a bad idea, but you should do some family training as well. Adopted pets are some of the best pets you will ever get, but your husband and child need to understand that your dog is not a toy or just some animal to be discarded. He/she needs love and patience just as a small child does. Your son seems to understand his mistake and I am sure will be more considerate in the future. I am afraid, however, that your husband, being protective of his son, as anyone would, might just need some understanding of his own. Adopting a pet is a wonderful thing, but it also takes time and patience until the animal feels safe with you. Especially small dogs can feel threatened when a much larger animal (your child or you) makes it fell as though it is being trapped or attached. Just be affectionate with your dog. He/she will eventually learn that you are there to help and not hurt. Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 5

A bit of all the above. Have the dog neutered, that will stop the marking, and make him calmer. Don't forget he is in a strange place with a lot of strange people. And he may never have encountered children before.

You son should not bother him when he is sleeping, and since he didn't snap until his bed was invaded, it could have been worse.

it's going to take a while for everybody to settle in. I would take him to obedience classes, he may never have been exposed to other people and dogs.

I would call the shelter and let them know, just to be on the safe side. Then if things don't improve in a few days, you have the option to return him or to work with him.

Answer 6

Take the little pomer back. This is a cute dog, but not for small children. The dog probably thought that your son was going to lay on him. You haven't had the dog long enough for the family to become attached, so back he goes. When a dog is right for your family he will fit right in. Try a little bigger breed about 6 mos. or older. They will like to role around with your son. Also the peeing won't get any better. Go back and take your family along to try out different dogs. Pick one that chooses you. One that will love to be around your son. It should come naturally to the animal. Play with it for awhile outside away from the other dogs if possible. Take it for a walk. Take your time looking and find one that all of the family will like. Good luck. We have had many nice animals from our local shelter.

Answer 7

You did adopt a breed that is well known for being a biter of children so that was your first mistake.
But now that you made a decision to take the dog it is your responsibility to work with it before you dump it back into the shelter system.
Yes it is a wonderful idea to go to obedience school and also have your son leave the dog alone in its bed.ALso have the dog live by the NIFF rule *nothing is for free* the dog must sit for every piece of food,sit to be leashed for a walk, etc.
The dog should not be slapped or harmed just shown that it is not dominant and hopefully things will work out.
If things do not work out,then have the dog destroyed, do not dump a biting dog back into our shelter system we have so many there already.

Answer 8

If I were you,I wopuld keep a close eye on the dog,AND your son.make sure your son does not attempt to annoy the dog in any way. as for the dog, his previous owners may have had children who used to annoy the dog and or teased it so the poor animal retaliated in the only way he knew,and that was to snap or nip at whomever was bothering him. When I was younger,I had a collie,my niece (at the time)was about 7 years old and she once grabbed the dogs underside and the dog went for her,she didnt bite her she just growled and bore her teeth. so I yelled at the dog and reprimanded my niece foe grabbing the dogs tummy.PS the dog never did that again and my niece was good as well. Give both your son and the dog another chance,Im sure that it wont happen again. rubberstampr

Answer 9

How old is the dog?? If it is young enough, you should train it to not be bothered when it is eating. You can do this by playing with its food when it is eating ie.. take the food away while eating, play with the food. And about your son the dog feels dominant over the boy, teach your son to talk to the dog in a strong voice, also try having you son sit on the floor with his legs apart, put the dog on its back between his legs and rub his belly, do not let it up until you are ready for it to get up. The dog will wiggle and hate it at first, but eventually this will become okay for it, make sure to do this a couple times a day until the dog just lays there enjoying it. Also you can try having your son look the dog in its eyes, and make the dog look away first. This help the dog recognize who is dominant in the house.

Answer 10

Why in the international might 3 years be too youthful to microchip a dogs? It has finished all develop and progression, what ought to he in all risk be waiting for? i think of micro-chipping is a huge thought. I constantly use a collar to boot so as that if my dogs became discovered by ability of a civilian they'd only call the quantity on the tag, yet a chip helps the dogs to be reunited with you notwithstanding in the event that they lose the collar. there is not any prefer which you will get yet another dogs, yours would be only fins as an in basic terms dogs. in case you do be certain you prefer yet another dogs i might enable the dogs some greater months to settle in earlier you deliver in yet another dogs. As you have one in each of those youthful toddler that is a marvelous thought to attend a pair of years until eventually you're able to desire to handle 2 dogs. Are you beneficial this guy is definitely a qualified vet? Judging by ability of ways he dealt with you i might have substantial doubts and might certainly never cope with him returned. If he's flummoxed by ability of a few thing as concern-loose as a micro-chip how might he cope with an certainly ailment?