Starting to bite
#1
Posted 08 June 2010 - 06:59 AM
About three weeks ago, four maybe, her suspicion turned to snapping. My daughter (mother of Lily) and her husband were visiting, and he was scratching Sophia's ears, something she adores. Suddenly she snarled and snapped at his hand. We disciplined her and settled her down, but the rest of their visit, she was very nervous of him, even though he is a dog person, Lily obviously loves him, we obvious accept him, etc., etc. Daddy reported he was standing and talking with somone outside who she had apparently accepted, someone once again who was petting her, when she did the same thing. Yesterday, she then did the same with with Marilyn, my stepmother, which is really distressing, since, although she is not out here daily, is here every other week or so, and is here for meals, etc., and I can't have this dog barking, growling and definately not snapping. She still loves my father, and she still loves the cleaning ladies, who come once weekly.
These people are not standing close to her food, and at the time of the incidents I mentioned it has not been like she is trying to get them to pet her instead of Lily. Neither Beth or I have been close to her either, at the time, so it is not like she is trying to protect us. Instead, they will be petting and scratching her in a way that she would normally like when she will suddenly snarl, snap, then leap back and start barking. I'll get a muzzle if I have to, but I would rather get to the bottom of the behavior and correct it.
What really worries me is that my sister, her husband, and my nephews 13 and 11, are coming in 3 weeks from Denmark. They have never met Sophia, obviously, since they only come every two years. They will be here for three weeks. Not only is Don male, which will make her more nervous, but he is a large very black man with a beard. Any suggestions besides drugging her (I did that with my mother's antisocial doxie) and getting a muzzle?
Love me, love my dog(s) (cats and goats)
If possible, live peaceably with all creatures
#2
Posted 08 June 2010 - 07:05 AM
Susie Q
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#3
Posted 08 June 2010 - 08:37 AM
I once was bitten by a dog that knew me well and turned out he had a very infected tooth that was bothering him, once that was taken care of, things were back to normal.
Good luck and hope all is well soon.
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#4
Posted 08 June 2010 - 02:19 PM
It matters to the one you save.
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#5
Posted 09 June 2010 - 04:16 AM
Love me, love my dog(s) (cats and goats)
If possible, live peaceably with all creatures
#6
Posted 06 July 2010 - 08:37 AM
We have been giving her quarter doses of promace and using a muzzle on and off (can't leave it on all the time because of the heat -- she did collapse once because she couldn't pant). Sometimes she seems to even welcome it when she realizes she is out of control.
Any other suggestions? She is actually running up to my stepmother and nipping her, which is really distressing. Marilyn isn't a dog person at all, which is probably one reason Sophia does it.
Love me, love my dog(s) (cats and goats)
If possible, live peaceably with all creatures
#7
Posted 06 July 2010 - 09:30 AM
Get Sophia off the furniture. Sophia has exerted herself as alpha in your household and this is why she has started to nip/bite. Keep her on a short leash, don't give her any freedom, and start from scratch to reestablish your position as leader.Glad to hear that Millie is a happy doggie -- and so beautiful, too! Took me forever to get Sophia to get up in bed with me! It's helpful in the winter when I have cold feet. Many happy years ahead!
-Arda Barber
#8
Posted 06 July 2010 - 09:38 AM
I agree with CAB, you need to keep Sophia off the furniture. It sounds like she has some dominance issues, and allowing her on the furniture is re-enforcing her dominance. I agree also with keeping her on a short 4-6 foot leash, until she learns how to behave. I know it a nuisance, but better to be a bit inconvenienced then to have her bite someone.then last night she was laying on the couch next to him and snarled and nipped him totally unprovoked.
Susie Q
SCD's Darlin' Darcy - CGC
SCD's Mr. McBump - CGC
SCD's Liddle Diddles - CGC
Forever in our hearts:
SCD's One Cool Dude (7/05-4/10)
Ralph (SCD) (10/99-6/05)
Rex (SCD) (6/93-9/99)
Sheeba (BYB) (11/82-4/93)
#9
Posted 06 July 2010 - 10:03 AM
#10
Posted 06 July 2010 - 10:08 AM
We have been giving her quarter doses of promace and using a muzzle on and off (can't leave it on all the time because of the heat -- she did collapse once because she couldn't pant). Sometimes she seems to even welcome it when she realizes she is out of control.
I'm assuming you're using one of those nylon muzzles that fit snugly like a glove. While I agree the muzzle is a good idea under the circumstances, please consider buying one of those basket-type muzzles, like the ones they use on racing Greyhounds. They prevent biting but allow the dog to open it's mouth and pant. Sophia shouldn't be collapsing because she can't pant. Her health and possibly even her life could be endangered.
What I personally would do is not allow Sophia to be in a situation where she could possibly bite someone. It sounds like you have a house full of visitors right now, and she is okay with some of them but trying to bite others. Remove her from the situation. Put her in a crate or in another room where she does not have the opportunity to be close enough to anyone to bite. If she has to be in the same room as you and your guests, keep her on a leash, close to you. Give all your guests instructions like Cesar says, "No touch, no talk, no eye contact."
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Waiting at the Bridge and forever in my heart...... Igor, Max, Savanna, Logan, and Tasha
#11
Posted 06 July 2010 - 10:20 AM
again. You have to be Alpha and she has to know it
I had a problem with my white shepherd mix, she had been
abused as a pup, when I got her she thought I was going
to be a piece of cake, didn't nip others just went after me
if I corrected her, so she learned real quick she was not
going to be the leader. We had a couple of very hard
months but she found out and the game was over. She
turned out to be as good as gold. If you let them get
away with things they will be running the house not
you. She was terrified of men and we got over that
as well. Work but it is all worth it in the end.
I just wanted to mention here, when training my dogs, I always
had them look me in the eye (not others because it is a challenge ti them)
and I always made them look away first. You are the leader and they
must know it. By them looking away first you are in charge, you are
Alpha over them. A strange dog no eye contact it is a challenge like I
said earlier.
Edited by Nancy Robinson, 07 July 2010 - 08:56 AM.
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#12
Posted 06 July 2010 - 02:52 PM
WOW! Where did you learn all of that, CAB? I'm impressed! You are so right. WOW!
Arda, we do listen to the Swamp Mama!!!
Lee Ann
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#13
Posted 06 July 2010 - 05:14 PM
#14
Posted 06 July 2010 - 05:40 PM
I agree with the others and getting back to basic's and establish who is the pack leader. I would also look into getting the Greyhound basket muzzle, that way they can breath good, drink water and yet not bite anyone.I'm assuming you're using one of those nylon muzzles that fit snugly like a glove. While I agree the muzzle is a good idea under the circumstances, please consider buying one of those basket-type muzzles, like the ones they use on racing Greyhounds. They prevent biting but allow the dog to open it's mouth and pant. Sophia shouldn't be collapsing because she can't pant. Her health and possibly even her life could be endangered.
What I personally would do is not allow Sophia to be in a situation where she could possibly bite someone. It sounds like you have a house full of visitors right now, and she is okay with some of them but trying to bite others. Remove her from the situation. Put her in a crate or in another room where she does not have the opportunity to be close enough to anyone to bite. If she has to be in the same room as you and your guests, keep her on a leash, close to you. Give all your guests instructions like Cesar says, "No touch, no talk, no eye contact."
SCD's Wild Child Gamble CGC
#15
Posted 06 July 2010 - 06:42 PM
I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.
-Robert Lewis Stevenson-
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit,
you would stay out and your dog would go in.
-Mark Twain-
#16
Posted 07 July 2010 - 02:26 PM
-M. Acklam
#17
Posted 07 July 2010 - 06:59 PM
Love me, love my dog(s) (cats and goats)
If possible, live peaceably with all creatures
#18
Posted 29 April 2011 - 05:18 AM
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