Pet Problems
 

I know this is probably the wrong forum, but it does concern the relationship to our new dog, so here goes: We adopted a dog last week from our local animal shelter. He LOVES our 11 year old daughter, tolerates our 7 year old daughter, and HATES me and my husband. I think he was abused in his previous home, and I just don't know what to do (PLEASE no posts telling me to tie a pork chop around my neck, thank you). If I pick him up he growls, and when I pet him he tolerates it until he gets a chance to escape. Any suggestions you might have would be very helpful!

maybe something you could do is make sure you're the one to feed him and groom him etc. so he knows you're really the one that's looking after him and that you're the boss.

don't let the growling go on. It'll get out of control and before you know it, he'll be snapping at you. You have to assert your authority as the leader, but do it in a loving way. Probably should have a talk to an animal specialist such as a vet maybe, or animal training school. they might be able to help more.

Is he fixed?

Is there any trainers near you? Get some training from a tough trainer...I suspect you and your hubby look 'alpha' to him but he thinks he is alpha over the kids.

Aliantha's spot on, you have to establish the pecking order right away.

What kind of dog is he? What age?

The fact that he is trying to *escape*, it sounds to me more a fear growl than an alpha growl.

Does he look timid or wary when he is growling...or is he being bossy and telling you to piss off?

I agree with Ali and Bruce if he's being bossy and alpha-ish, but if he is growling out of fear (due to previous abuse)....its a hugely different kettle of fish.

If its a confidence thing, it will take some time to win him over and let him trust you and your husband arent going to harm him.

Feed him, sit in *his* room or area, where he feels comfortable with some treats and let him get to know you on his turns....with some special treats as encouragement.

Over here, adoption and rehousing shelters do a lot of work establishing the temperament and needs of the dog, before matching them with the correct family.

Did they give you any indication to what kind of personality this fellow had?

He is fixed, and a grown Chihuaha(?) mix, not old and his growling is not bossy, it is fearful. I do think he might have been abused by adults in his previous home, so we are being gentle and patient, and I think I will call the humane society (where we got him) for any tips they can provide. I guess I should be glad that he likes ONE of us, doesn't chew anything, or go to the bathroom in the house, and we will just have to give him some time

Maybe he liked the abuse. So get with the rolled-up newspaper, you know he wants it...

:bolt:

Yeah, ditch the discipline approach then and go with the encouraging, treat approach.

Dogs are a sucker for food rewards, you will win him over :)

Your compassion levels may be much higher than mine, but I would have serious second thoughts about keeping the little guy around. If he has been abused you may get him to warm up to you, but there will always be the risk of him getting startled and turning on you, or worse - one of the kids.

I might agree with Lookout if there were little kids involved.

A trainer once told me that when you pick up a small dog, off the floor or even furniture, snatch them quickly. If you fumble around trying to get a comfortable grip, or pet them first, they are likely to nip you. If you snatch them so they are way off the ground quickly, they settle down quickly for fear of falling.

That just doesn't sound like a good plan with this "unfamiliar" dog to me. If he is skittish already quick movements are probably not a good idea.

Dogs communicate differently than humans do. To them, body language is everything. Looming over them, reaching down from the sides or top is threatening and something to be feared. Little dogs are more prone to fear due to their small size and feeds their almost universal "Napoleon Complex".

There are lots of free websites dealing with this subject. Try here or here or even here for more information.

chihuahuas are high strung to begin with... if it's got issues with abuse or pack structure probably even more so..... you need staceyv here. she's our tacobell dog authority. anyone got her email addy?

Just an addition to some of the advice here: don't try to hard to win the dog round. Be calm and give treats and stuff but don't keep approaching him with affection. Once he's settled in (and that might take a while) and beginning to feel more confident, he'll likely come around. If he feels sure you are the leaders of the pack, and feels confident you present no threat, he will eventually ( I think) start to court you for your approval and affection.