i have a 2 year old mini schnauzer who is very aggresive towards my neice i am also in a financial crisis?

Question

i have a 2year old mini schnauzer who is very aggresive towards my 12 year old neice who i look after 5 days a week.he has bitten her a good few times it is always when i or mt 2 sons who are 18 & 14,are either arguing with her or i give her into trouble.iit is so stressing me out.he gets put in his cage when he goes to bite but if she passes the cage he starts aggressively barking at her.The main problem is i am going through a financial crisis having to sell my house as advised to by money matters & declare myself 2 sons & bernie(my dog) homeless please so anyone givr me advice how i can try solve this big problem.I do not have enough money even to buy a book.I am really desperate for advice.This is a hard enough time as it is so please please send sensibly answers.I thankyou now for any advice that will help.

Answer 1

Training is the only way.

Answer 2

OK I have a shcnauzer and if you do not let them know who is boss they will dominate you. You have to be the pack leader but to be honest I could go into a very long post here as to what you need to do with her to get her to stop this behaviour but to train her to stop doing this needs time and commitment and I fear from your post you do not have either, due to your present situation for which I am very sorry.So I do not normally advise this but on this occasion I would see if there is a foster home she can go into so they can train her for you whilst you sort out your present situation. Call your local shelter and ask them if they have any foster people who would be willing to take her, you cant give this dog to another family as you are only passing on the problem and not curing it, and I know you would feel awful if she bit another child. You are going through a lot and I know to you getting rid of the dog is looking like an option but my advice let a foster person have her and when you are more settled and stable she will be trained and you can have her back./

Answer 3

Schnauzers react very bad to stress and arguing. They also tend to bond to one person more than the rest of the family.. and if they see someone as a "threat" to that person (what they deem a threat can be nothing more than play) they remember the person involved. My guess is that at some point the girl was arguing with one of the boys and the dog didn't like that... It's hard to train them out of it, but next to impossible when you are in as much stress as you are.. What I would do is see if you can block the dog off and keep the girl and the dog seperate as much as possible... also, schnauzers tend to react well to food.. so maybe if the girl gives the dog treats often he'll unlearn the negative reaction to her. (Don't let her hand feed the dog right away.. I would say seperate them by a gate or something and let her get his attention with the food and throw it to him)

Answer 4

If you really love your dog do not give it up.The biting you say happens when your sons argue?? Well the dog is only trying to assert his place in the order of things,you all need some calm.He can feel the stress as much as you do.As for who he bites most small dogs do not like to be around small children as the dog usually gets hurt you may not be aware of it.Maybe you could exercise it more often,that will get rid of stress and the need to be too active also makes the dog calmer.Once he sees some order he will calm down.Owner of three all very different .Good luck,and sorry about your finances,it seems its everywhere this year.God Bless you.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like your dog is reacting to the stress in your household. As the tension in the house rises, he becomes fearful and nervous and his aggresive behavior is his defense. You need to get your dog out of this situation or he will end up hurting someone and you will lose him forever. Maybe you could find someone that can foster him until you get your life back on track and the tension is not so high. In the meantime, you are going to have to really think about why you are all fighting. I understand you are going through a terrible time, but it's how you react to that stress that really makes a difference. Try to control your anger and the kids and the dog will follow suit. And remember that this situation will pass and things will get better. Best of luck to you and your family.

Kim at: http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/natural-pet.html

Answer 6

Where aboust are you?

Were in Kent and were pet behavioural counsellors. Ifyour in our area we can offer a session or two for free because of the financial trouble your in.

Feel free to email me if this will help. Otherwise we do also offer free email advice but for this sort of issue we would really need to see the dog.

Answer 7

Your mini schnauzer has bitten your 12 year old niece "a good few times" and her parents still have you watch her 5 days a week?

Tell your sister/brother that you're not capable of providing a safe environment for their 12 year old and that they should not allow her to come to your house.

Answer 8

call a mini schnauzer rescue in your area. they may foster the dog for you till you get on your feet. that way, when you do, you can go and get your dog. as for the biting, i don't know what to say, my dog is two and has never bitten anyone. sorry about your finances, that sucks. hope everything works out. good luck.

Answer 9

It sounds like this is a "no win" situation. I'd ring a dog rescue and re-home your dog. It will be difficult to keep him anyway, if you will be homeless soon anyway.
Sorry for your troubles

Answer 10

i can see from 'your' point of view how u think the two questions are related..... As your having to move house and your having problems with your dog, u think that giving your dog away might be a solution to help?....
Your dog might be agressive because he senses the stress within the house from your problems....