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dog snapping at 3 year old
Can anybody give me some good advice. I have recently purchased a 18mth old spaniel after having 13 years experience with spaniels. I bought her from a lady who informed me that she was excellent with her children 6 and 2 years. Since owning her she has snapped at my 3 year old numerous times. The couple of times was when my daughter was cuddling her and I thought that she was maybe a bit rough as these are warning snaps. But I have recently witnessed her snap at her when she has gone up to stroke her but each time this has been when the dog has been with another family member. I called the lady and she wont take the dog back as she said she has no time. I feel so sorry the dog as I dont want it passing from pillar to post but my duaghters safety is the most important thing. I called a dog trainer who quoted me �75 for 1 hour consultation she said it can be rectified. I think the dog is jealous of my 3 year old but other times she has come up to her and licked her. She is not spayed (which I am going to get done) and I am willing to take her to obedience classes but I just need some advice on how I can get the dog to respect my daughter.
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Why did the lady want to get rid of the dog? I think I probably know the answer to that one.
How have you allowed the dog to snap at the child numerous times? Once should be enough for you to do something.
As the dog snapped at the dog when the child was cuddling it, maybe the child hurt the dog, and it is now warning her not to do it again. However this is no excuse and you should not take the chance, no dog should be allowed to snap at anyone let alone a three year old. Either find it a home without children and warn the people what it is like (they may have grandchildren or friends children to visit) or consider having the dog put down rather than pass the problem on.
How have you allowed the dog to snap at the child numerous times? Once should be enough for you to do something.
As the dog snapped at the dog when the child was cuddling it, maybe the child hurt the dog, and it is now warning her not to do it again. However this is no excuse and you should not take the chance, no dog should be allowed to snap at anyone let alone a three year old. Either find it a home without children and warn the people what it is like (they may have grandchildren or friends children to visit) or consider having the dog put down rather than pass the problem on.
I appreciate and take on board your comments. Firstly I have not allowed the dog to snap at my child and I totally understand the seriousness of this. The lady said she has to work full time and can no longer give the dog time it needs. I have just booked the dog in with a trainer who will give me some professional advice as the dog is reacting to something that has happenned to her in the past. There is no way I would endanger my childs safety and understand that I may have to give this dog to the Spaniel rescue.
Hi, this needs to be sorted out quickly...like today!!! If you are not willing to pay to have someone come to your house today...no matter what cost, then the dog must go. As Lankeela pointed out the previous owner had a good reason to get rid of the dog, personally I think you have been conned. Do not gamble with what could be your childs face and I can assure you, you won't feel sorry for the dog once it has attacked your child.
Lisa x
Lisa x
I'm proparly going to get attacked for this, but I also think that your daughter has unknowling to you hurt the dog or the dog has been hurt from the children from the other home the dog came from
A dog will not give a warning snap, a snap is a snap,
How was the dog with your child in the first couple of days of you bringing the dog home?
All breeds of dogs are very suspicous of Children, would you cope with a three year old hanging of your neck and flapping her arms in front of your face, and if your honest your answer would be no, and you would proparly shout at the child for annoying you.
But I also agree that the safety of the child is more important, in your position until you have worked with the dog to recetify this problem, never leave your child unsupervised with the dog.
Respect works both ways, does your daughter respect the dog
joanne
mygermanshepherd.co.uk
A dog will not give a warning snap, a snap is a snap,
How was the dog with your child in the first couple of days of you bringing the dog home?
All breeds of dogs are very suspicous of Children, would you cope with a three year old hanging of your neck and flapping her arms in front of your face, and if your honest your answer would be no, and you would proparly shout at the child for annoying you.
But I also agree that the safety of the child is more important, in your position until you have worked with the dog to recetify this problem, never leave your child unsupervised with the dog.
Respect works both ways, does your daughter respect the dog
joanne
mygermanshepherd.co.uk
I think you may have the wrong impression - I know the dog should not be doing it and have thought exactly the same as you all and agree. The advice I am wanting really is how to react to the dog when she does it - as I have heard about using there own body lanuage to show the dog where it's place is. I cannot get the dog to see a professional until tomoro and I do not let the dog be alone together. I know I said 'numerous times' this has happened 3 times which is 3 times too much - thats why I am seeking help and KNOW that I may have to give the dog up to a rescue centre as I have a conscience & would not be able to pass the dog onto anybody for that persons or the dogs sake. I did really want advice and not lectures on whats right and wrong as I already know this. I am not shouting at anybody and thank you all for your comments.
Hi Mrs R, I think some of the posts have been a bit strong in their replies to you (yes you lankeela!) although it was being said with your best interests at heart.
I have not felt from what you have put in your post, that you have been irresponsible and feel that you owe it to the dog to try as many avenues as possible before thinking about putting it down. As has been said previously, there are no bad dogs, only bad owners and most dogs with the right care and training should prove to be loving pets.
Best of luck, Sue.
I have not felt from what you have put in your post, that you have been irresponsible and feel that you owe it to the dog to try as many avenues as possible before thinking about putting it down. As has been said previously, there are no bad dogs, only bad owners and most dogs with the right care and training should prove to be loving pets.
Best of luck, Sue.
Just a thought - has the vet checked the dog over? I know she is only 18 months old but there may be a medical problem?
What type of spaniel is she? This behaviour does seem out of character for spaniels.
Also if the dog has been used to being left in a quiet house all day, it may not be used to having company all the time. Do you have a quiet place the dog can retire to where your child cannot bother it?
People rarely tell you the real reason why they want rid of the dog and the woman probably has good reason why she doesn't want it back - if it was just that she did not have the time I am sure she would take it back rather than have it put to sleep or rehomed!!
I would get her checked over by the vet though - she may even have something stuffed down her ear (a pencil or something!) or toothache or something else you cannot see. It is always possible she may have even had the kid at the other place fall on her and injure her somehow that is not visible.
She may also be due in season and be a bit hormonal?
What type of spaniel is she? This behaviour does seem out of character for spaniels.
Also if the dog has been used to being left in a quiet house all day, it may not be used to having company all the time. Do you have a quiet place the dog can retire to where your child cannot bother it?
People rarely tell you the real reason why they want rid of the dog and the woman probably has good reason why she doesn't want it back - if it was just that she did not have the time I am sure she would take it back rather than have it put to sleep or rehomed!!
I would get her checked over by the vet though - she may even have something stuffed down her ear (a pencil or something!) or toothache or something else you cannot see. It is always possible she may have even had the kid at the other place fall on her and injure her somehow that is not visible.
She may also be due in season and be a bit hormonal?
No-one has to take my advice, but if they ask, I try to reply honestly and not try to give answers that are just what the person wants to hear.
From the limited information fgven it seems the safety of a child and therefore the life of the dog are at risk in this situation. If the dog does bite the child, the dog will no doubt be put to sleep and the anti dog lobby will have another field day.
If it was mine I would rather have it put to sleep myself than pass it on to a rescue society who may well try to rehome it with another child.
From the limited information fgven it seems the safety of a child and therefore the life of the dog are at risk in this situation. If the dog does bite the child, the dog will no doubt be put to sleep and the anti dog lobby will have another field day.
If it was mine I would rather have it put to sleep myself than pass it on to a rescue society who may well try to rehome it with another child.
I disagree putting the dog to sleep, Mrs R has said she wants to correct this behaviour and it can be done.
Meanwhile, If the dog snaps in the meantime you need to tell your dog NO immediatley in a authortive tone, this will hopefully startle your dog
Good luck tomorrow, let us know how you get on
joanne
mygermanshepherd.co.uk
Meanwhile, If the dog snaps in the meantime you need to tell your dog NO immediatley in a authortive tone, this will hopefully startle your dog
Good luck tomorrow, let us know how you get on
joanne
mygermanshepherd.co.uk
Kita, the women told me that she was due into season at the end of November & I have discussed this with the vet and I am going to get her spayed before she comes into season even though he said the best time is around 3 - 4mths after a season - so I agree that could be one of the problems.
Lankeela, rescue centres are very specific as to who they rehome dogs to - if you went onto one of there websites they do state with certain dogs that will only be rehomed with older people, or children over 10years etc, they are very thorough and inform if the dog is good with other animals and even livestock as if it is not you will not be accepted, they come and check out your home and surrounding areas and even how high your fence is. They insist that if the dog does not get on with the adoptive people then it must be given back to them.
The woman was amazed when we went to see the dog on how much my 3 year old looked like her 2 year old so the dog may have had a bad experience with her little girl. I agree this is out of character for spaniels as I have had spaniels since I was a kid and have never experienced this yet - the woman told me the dog was a cocker but with my experience she looks more like a small springer (could even be a field spaniel). The dog is not bothered about being left alone but does have strange habits such as being frightened to eat her food out of her bowl she pinches a bit and eats it around the corner, she also just wants you to stroke her constantly licking you. This is why I couldnt understand her behaviour as she does this with with all of us including the 3year old.
I will let ypu know what the trainder says to day and thank you all for your comment good or bad.
Lankeela, rescue centres are very specific as to who they rehome dogs to - if you went onto one of there websites they do state with certain dogs that will only be rehomed with older people, or children over 10years etc, they are very thorough and inform if the dog is good with other animals and even livestock as if it is not you will not be accepted, they come and check out your home and surrounding areas and even how high your fence is. They insist that if the dog does not get on with the adoptive people then it must be given back to them.
The woman was amazed when we went to see the dog on how much my 3 year old looked like her 2 year old so the dog may have had a bad experience with her little girl. I agree this is out of character for spaniels as I have had spaniels since I was a kid and have never experienced this yet - the woman told me the dog was a cocker but with my experience she looks more like a small springer (could even be a field spaniel). The dog is not bothered about being left alone but does have strange habits such as being frightened to eat her food out of her bowl she pinches a bit and eats it around the corner, she also just wants you to stroke her constantly licking you. This is why I couldnt understand her behaviour as she does this with with all of us including the 3year old.
I will let ypu know what the trainder says to day and thank you all for your comment good or bad.
First of all the lady you bought the dog from should NEVER of sold it on.if she couldnt keep the dog then she should of rehomed for free.
Setting that aside.................we have GSD's and we also have a 5yr old grandson,when he was first brought into our home(the grandson) i had him behind a lindum gate,admittedly...........one of my girls growld at him............but it was shear fear on her part.I know can tell you she absolutely adores him.
Even now as we have had dogs for the past 30yrs we never allow a child to hang on to a dog,the dog is small and so is the child..................
As metioned before..........i wonder if this poor dog has been at the end of a child either scareing it or hurting it,as it looks like the women you bought it from is not going to help you ..........you have a reeducation (for both dog and child) to teach.
I would imagine the best way to tackle this is to only allow the dog with the child when you have the child on your knee and under control and to allow the dog to come in the room and sit beside you with her .It is clearly jealous and it has to see that your child comes first............and also that your child is not going to grab it.
I apologise for reffearing to you dog as it,i have just checked your mail and can see she is a little girl.
Even now as our grandson is 5 and lets the dog in we never leave him in a room with her there is always one of us there.Im sure you know dogs have times when they want to be alone.ie,sleep time,meal times and you never know if this little girly has been messed about or disturbed and it has frightened her.
I think only time will tell and as long as your daughter is restricted to only touching the dog when with you,it is going to be a slow process.Best Regards,
Setting that aside.................we have GSD's and we also have a 5yr old grandson,when he was first brought into our home(the grandson) i had him behind a lindum gate,admittedly...........one of my girls growld at him............but it was shear fear on her part.I know can tell you she absolutely adores him.
Even now as we have had dogs for the past 30yrs we never allow a child to hang on to a dog,the dog is small and so is the child..................
As metioned before..........i wonder if this poor dog has been at the end of a child either scareing it or hurting it,as it looks like the women you bought it from is not going to help you ..........you have a reeducation (for both dog and child) to teach.
I would imagine the best way to tackle this is to only allow the dog with the child when you have the child on your knee and under control and to allow the dog to come in the room and sit beside you with her .It is clearly jealous and it has to see that your child comes first............and also that your child is not going to grab it.
I apologise for reffearing to you dog as it,i have just checked your mail and can see she is a little girl.
Even now as our grandson is 5 and lets the dog in we never leave him in a room with her there is always one of us there.Im sure you know dogs have times when they want to be alone.ie,sleep time,meal times and you never know if this little girly has been messed about or disturbed and it has frightened her.
I think only time will tell and as long as your daughter is restricted to only touching the dog when with you,it is going to be a slow process.Best Regards,
Hi, Just thought I'd let you know that the dog trainer was great she told me that I need to get my child involved in feeding time, by giving her treats and letting the dog see her put the food in the bowl and making her sit before she gets these, she also told me loads of other things and good websites and books to read. I can honestly say that my daughter and the dog have a better relationship already the dog is following her around (tail wagging) and giving her the ball to play with her and sitting for her (she did not do this previously). I know theres along way to go yet but even after just one day the situation has improved. And yes I will always be vigilant when they are together.
