Help....

[Lizmo]

This is making me truelly sick to write, but I need help.


While I was up stairs reading, my brother had 2 friends over. Well one started to go home(he went through our backyard/gate) and my mom let's Lizzie out thinking it will be no big deal as he's been around her multiple times. Once out he leans over her to pet her. Then my mom said she started to growl/show teeth. So of course he backs off. She never bit(thank goodness), but none the less.

Now, she has never, ever done this before. All my family(including my 6 year old sister) has done this before and probably a lot rougher than this boy. And my friends have done it before and nothing happens.

But it is totally NOT okay. It HAS to stop now. Before it gets any worse.

Only thing is I don't know what to do...

Help..?

 

[squirtsmom]

I don't know the answer, but someone will. good luck.

 

[em&ollie]

Could she be sore, Jen? Sometimes there a health reasons for these sorts of things, not necessarily behavioural.

If all health issues are ruled out I would make sure that all future interactions with 'strangers' are handled calmly and gently. If you can, try and be there each and every time to control the situation.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help ((((HUGS))))

 

[jess2416]

Once out he leans over her to pet her.

Maybe she thought that him leaning over her was "threatening"....or maybe he startled her somehow..

I hope someone else can give you better insight on this...

 

[Lizmo]

Thanks guys.

I have checked her over and she does not show any signs of being in pain. We went for a 30 minute run before this happend too.

I'm not sure if this would have anything to do with it but...This boy has teased her once or twice through the fence(my dad and his dad put an end to that). And (if you know) we leave them outside with a dog door to the garage when we are gone on vacation/s. So I don't really know if he teases her while were gone(again I have no control over leaving the dogs out).

Also, when she meet our agility trainer for the first time she bent over the same way I am assuming this boy did, and she was a bit nervous but never even looked like she was about to growl.

 

[jess2416]

Also, when she meet our agility trainer for the first time she bent over the same way I am assuming this boy did, and she was a bit nervous but never even looked like she was about to growl.

Maybe that has something to do with it, I know that Chloe doesnt like people leaning over her and suddenly reaching out to pet her.....

 

[Doberluv]

I never bend over a dog I don't know very well. In fact, I try not to do it at all. It's intimidating body language to most dogs. And she probably felt very cornered by this boy. Thrusting hands out at a dog can also be intimidating....threatening. Instruct this boy to sit in a chair, turn his head sideways and toss treats to her on the floor. IF she decides to come over and be friendly, great. If not, tell her to leave her alone. Or keep her protected and away from him. That incident of teasing may have something to do with it.

In the meantime, I would recommend you (who she trusts) bend over her and feed her high value treats. Anyone else in the family could practice too. (as long as she's comfortable) Associate these un-dog-like postures with praise and very good treats. And above all, never punish the growling. I hope no one did. She was good to at least warn him. Later, you can desensatize her with other people...friends she particularly likes.

This is something that is soooooooo common for people to do. While I'm here in Seattle, we come across so many people who want to pat Lyric. They almost invariably bend over him, thrust out their hands and stick their faces in his face. (affection to humans, not to dogs) However, he is very use to it and takes it all in stride. Rarely, he doesn't look comfortable if it's a particular person he isn't thrilled about. There is just something dogs sense about certain people....don't know what it is but it happens. Then I'll tell them he's uncomfortable...please don't bend over him. I watch his body language very carefully. Then they are usually very polite and say, "reeeeeeelly?" And I'll "educate" them on the fact that dogs often don't like that stance and how it's best to approach a dog. AND I ALWAYS make sure he is able to back away if he wishes...that he has space. Never let a dog feel cornered and unable to retreat if he wishes.

There's a great little book called, On Talking Terms With Dogs; Calming Signals, by Turid Rugas....very good. I recommend it.

 

[adojrts]

I would suspect that this boy is still teasing her, dogs don't lie. I would try to protect her as much as possible by avoiding him having access to her unsupervised. Talk to him and also work at improving her relationship with him in a postive manner.
I agree that by bending over her, he became threatening to her, especially when there is known history of him teasing her. I don't think that she should be condemned for her reaction to him (I don't think that you are condemning her).

Good luck
Lynn

 

[Herschel]

I would suspect that this boy is still teasing her, dogs don't lie. I would try to protect her as much as possible by avoiding him having access to her unsupervised. Talk to him and also work at improving her relationship with him in a postive manner.

I agree.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I never bend over a dog I don't know very well. In fact, I try not to do it at all. It's intimidating body language to most dogs. And she probably felt very cornered by this boy. Thrusting hands out at a dog can also be intimidating....threatening. Instruct this boy to sit in a chair, turn his head sideways and toss treats to her on the floor. IF she decides to come over and be friendly, great. If not, tell her to leave her alone. Or keep her protected and away from him. That incident of teasing may have something to do with it.

Why the certain physical actions of the boy? You're pretty specific.. sit in a chair, turn head sideways (so that he's not looking at her eye to eye?)? I see a lot of people crouch down... is that any better than looming over? Could it have been that his actions were too quick? Because it sounds like they are at least familiar with each other? Sorry to be asking so many questions.. I'm reading that book by Patricia and it's very interesting!

 

[Fruit bat]

I saw another thread about a normally nice dog taking an aggressive stance and growling at one person. the topic was "do dogs just sense things we don't?" Maybe that is it in her case. She has been teased and seems to know the kid is a little turd. I would do my best to keep the kid away from her for her saftey. A dog bite( if it came to that) is never good even if it is really deserved. Poor girl.

 

[Doberluv]

Yes, those are just less threatening postures. I think crouching is fine, better than looming and bending over a dog....but when you're higher up than a dog, you tend to have your eyes smaller as you're looking down, more squinty, which is also a calming signal. When you're level with the dog and if you look straight at the dog, your eyes are bigger, more like staring. If a dog were to lunge and bite, I wouldn't want to have my face level with his. So, I'm not comfortable crouching unless I am quite certain the dog looks perfectly comfortable.

Turning your head and body sideways is also a sign that you don't want conflict. This is what dogs do to each other. I don't know how much they recognize it in humans, but if they do, as the research of this author says, then it's worth it to try. Dogs are much more comfortable (in general) if someone approaches in an arc, not straight on and diverts the gaze. And forget sticking hands out toward the dog. Just stand there sideways. It's just more polite in doggie language. And see if the dog is interested first before doing anything. Now, a lot of our dogs, of course are very use to people and tolerate all kinds of human stuff and some things they totally find normal. But if a dog is shy or uncomfortable looking and doesn't know you, it's good to show a softness toward the dog.

I think this boy needs to show your dog that he is a friend. Associate goodies with him, show him how to act around a dog. Get him interested and involved. Show him a trick or something your dog knows. Maybe he'll give up his old, teasing ways. But, of course, always supervise and if you can't keep your dog put away so he can't be teased just in case this kid doesn't get the message.

 

[Lizmo]

Thanks guys

 

[dogzrulez]

its nothing to be worried about. honestly i think its the boys fault. before petting an unfamiliar dog, u should always place your hands in front of it face and allow it to smell them. after that, slowly take your hands towwards its head to pet him. dogs get suspicious when the hands go out of their view. so, i guess it was just an instinctive reaction. chill