Sheltie growled at daughter

[juliefurry]

Ok, things have been going good with us and Foxy. He is pretty scared of my daughter still and will run away when she comes by him but I figured that will get better in time since he is still getting used to us. Tonight he was on the couch with my husband and my daughter went to climb up on the couch (she was right up next to him almost) and he tried to back up but couldn't so he let out a really low growl that my husband barely heard. He made him get off the couch right away and then brought Emily up so I told him to get some treats and have Emily feed the dog treats and he did that but I am worried now. I've never had a dog growl at her, bite yes but not growl. Is this a warning that he won't be able to adapt with her? Or do you think that he can still get used to her? What can we do to help him understand that she is not going to hurt him. I've been having them also do supervised petting time where we will hold his collar and let him sniff her hand and then have her pet him and so far she has been really nice with him. Should I be really worried about this growl?

 

[bubbatd]

I'd be causious but not worried .... Foxy is just learning and having her feed him is a good idea, Everything is so new to you all. I had a lot of people buy a sheltie after losing their Golden and the other way around.... seems their personality is a lot alike. Go slowly and re assure .

 

[LabMumSF]

If you want to be on the safe side, I would revoke his couch rights. Dogs who are allowed on the couch or beds often get very possessive of their "thrones" and growl or even snap at other dogs or people who try to claim the same space. He doesn't do it to you because he believes you're his leader and you outrank him, but your daughter is another story. If you're retraining him on this, attach a short leash on him inside the house, that way everytime he jumps on the couch, you have the means to get him off.

 

[Gempress]

I wouldn't worry too much. It sounds like a defensive, fear-induced growl, and not any attempt to be territorial. He only growled when he realized that there was no escape route. Young children can be very scary to smaller dogs: they make loud noises, their movements are fast and sometimes uncontrolled, and some of them don't understand that a small dog cannot be squeezed and loved in the same way as a larger animal.

We went through the same thing with my mom's new maltese. She was afraid to be on the ground with my 18-month-old niece, and would growl at her. It's been almost a month, and the dog is now fine with it.

Once the dog learns that your daughter is all right, things will go well. If your daughter is old enough, have her give a few tidbits to Foxy. That always helps makes friends.

 

[RD]

It sounds like a warning, much better for him to give that warning than to skip it and just snap at her. He doesn't know your daughter and felt uncomfortable being cornered by her. I agree with having her give a few little treats to him and having her be extra careful around him until he trusts her.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I agree with Gempress and RD.

 

[Sheba]

I'de keep him away from here... Sheba, my old dog, glowled every time I pet her, sometimes turning around suddenly, but she didnt bite..Shelties are usually good natured dogs, just be cautious.

 

[Doberluv]

I think you got good advice. I'd revoke furniture privelges too. Also, be really careful that your daughter or anyone doesn't give treats right after or while the dog growls or otherwise is uneasy. When the dog is clearly calm and relaxed....not growling, that's when the treats are given. If she's old enough, your daughter can also impliment some commands to sit (if the pup knows this) and treat for compliance, but supervise very carefully. And of course, only if the dog overcomes some of the fear of your daughter. If done unobtrusively...not too forcefully, gently etc, it may help the dog to overcome some of the fear because he'll start looking at your daughter as his caretaker also. Try not to let on to the dog if you're nervous or tense. I'd also err on the side of not giving a whole lot of gushing attention without the dog earning it....at least for a while. If the dog will play, you can play tug and let him win. It sounds like he needs some confidence building. Hide and seek is another good game for that and treat him when he finds you. It also helps with the recall. Another game is give and take....he gives you a lower value toy and you give him a treat. And then give him the toy back again. Fetch can be an extension of that game.

 

[juliefurry]

this is julie's husband, mark, she asked me to post for her. We have been having him sniff her hand and then having her pet him and as long as we are holding his collar he will stay but the second we let go he will run away. he hasn't growled at her today though. she has given him treats a couple times today but she can not say sit or anything so she can't have him do tricks for the treats. he will go up to her to get the treat out of her hand though. he is still trying to avoid her by going behind the couch, table, or next to our bed (or on it with julie) but hasn't growled. She fell today and I think she pushed him or fell into him a little bit and he did startle but did growl, bark, bite or yelp he just moved away quickly. he doesn't play with toys at all and he will only respond to julie right now. I think because he was raised by a woman and julie is a woman as well. he definetely needs his confidence raised though he is afraid of everything and everyone. even if he was friendly and happy to see you one minute if you go away and come back he will shy away. we will keep working on it though, but julie asked me to come and tell you guys since she has to stay in bed. I told her in order to keep the dog she had to stay in bed for the full two weeks.

 

[Saje]

My initial thought is not to hold his collar and make him stay next to your daughter. Maybe you (Julie) and your daughter can down on the floor to your level. Let him choose the time to come up to her. That way he will build his confidence and not feel threatened. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just be watchful - I know you are

edit: It might also be useful if you let him watch you guys interacting. You and your daughter. Dogs learn a lot that way and he may be more accepting of her if he sees how she is with you. And I just remembered the bed rest thing. Stay in bed!

 

[thewhitewitchone]

I have known a LOT of skittish shelties in my time...it seems to be a common trait with them. They are very family oriented dogs and are shy and wary of strangers. Give Foxy time. He's only been with you for a few days and isn't used to children or maybe even men.
I would agree that he growled out of fear because he was cornered. I would just go about my business as usual and keep your daughter and Foxy supervised when they are near each other. I'm sure he will adapt but it isn't going to happen overnight. His whole world has changed...look at it from that perspective.

Pam

 

[Angelique]

A fearful dog is a bite waiting to happen.

There is no way I'm going to give any advice other than keep the dog off of the furniture, keep in between the dog and your daughter at all times, and get yourself a qualified trainer/behaviorist ASAP.

This situation must be viewed, evaluated, and handled in person.

I'm sorry, but right now all I'm seeing is a bite in the face for your daughter.

 

[Doberluv]

Personally....after reading that last post Mark, I see this as more serious than I did in the first post even....I wouldn't have a dog as unstable as that around my child. If your child fell into or against the dog, then that was not adequate supervision. I agree with Angelique...here is a serious bite waiting to happen. If I had a dog this messed up, I'd re-home it to someone very experienced who might be able to help it (without children) and with their full knowledge of the situation....or.....have it pts. I would not have it around my babies. I could never trust it.

 

[Debi]

Personally....after reading that last post Mark, I see this as more serious than I did in the first post even....I wouldn't have a dog as unstable as that around my child. If your child fell into or against the dog, then that was not adequate supervision. I agree with Angelique...here is a serious bite waiting to happen. If I had a dog this messed up, I'd re-home it to someone very experienced who might be able to help it (without children) and with their full knowledge of the situation....or.....have it pts. I would not have it around my babies. I could never trust it.

just adding that this may not be the right time to work with him since Julie is on bed rest. I don't mean that to sound harsh in any way, just taking that in consideration, because I agree with Doberluv that this pup may need someone very experienced (and able) to help him. sounds like it's alot of extra to deal with right now. I'd also be too worried to have him around babies.

 

[bubbatd]

Mark...How is Julie ??? Did she show signs of early labor ?? Give her a hug and a kiss from Grammy. BTW...she doesn't need this stress . Could someone take Foxy until she's up and around ??

 

[juliefurry]

thank you all for your replies. the baby has been showing signs of stress and julie has been having quite a few contractions so the doctor said some time in bed may help. i stay home now to watch emily and the dogs. foxy is not, what i would consider, unstable. a little unsure of himself yes but he has been through a lot. just because she fell into the dog does not mean i was not supervising her, she merely tripped over the baby gate and he was following her and that is why she fell into or close to him. i meant to say he did not growl or anything at her he just got out of the way, just like our lab or poodle would do. there was no aggressive moments made by him towards her at all. i am not a good typer or speller so you will have to excuse me. i was more concerned about the husky we used to have seeing as she bit everyone that lives in this house atleast two times, i always thought of her as unstable but foxy is just adjusting. he has not growled at her at all since then she has been giving him treats throughout the day since we only let her give him treats now. he even has been not running away from her and she has even pet him without him trying to get away. i am watching them closely but he prefers to stay by julie usually all day. he will come to me when he has to go outside and that is about it usually he is up on the bed being with julie. we are watching him and as soon as the doctor says julie can regain normal activity again we plan on going to see the behaviorist that we took both our husky and our pitbull mix to go and see. i took him to the vets today just to get a checkup and the vet basically said he just needs time, he lived in a house with an old woman his whole life with barely any visitors or activity and now this house has quite a bit of activity and a toddler ofcourse he is going to be understandably freaked out. julie more than likely thinks that he just believes we are watching him for a bit and that his owner will come and pick him up so she said it would probably take him quite some time maybe even months to start fully trusting and not freaking out about us. we'll see the trainer and see what they have to say though. also, i wish we could find someone to take foxy but no relatives are willing. there was one that was but that was just so they could get the money that comes along with him. that was one of the main reasons we took him as well but we also took him to make sure that if he didn't stay with us we would atleast get him into a rescue or a new home and not stick him in a shelter to get pts because a shelter life would seriously freak him out and he would most likely not get adopted because that is just way too stressful for him.

 

[Saje]

I think you are doing all the right things and just need to give him time. I understood that he only growled at your daughter the once. I'm sure he's in a bit of shock. Just give him his space and let him figure things out. He'll come around.

 

[Renee750il]

I think you're on the right track, Mark. What you've described really doesn't sound unstable, just unsure, and, as you've pointed out, Foxy has just entered an entirely different world! It seems like you're doing the right thing and Foxy will be fine. I'm glad he is there to keep Julie company while she's stuck in bed. I know she must be an AWFUL patient, lol, wanting to get up and fretting over not being able to do the things she just knows need to be done Take good care of her and let her know we miss her and are thinking of her . . .

 

[juliefurry]

foxy just did something amazing, which I had to share. emily was getting ready for bed and patting his butt he really loves getting his butt patted and scratched. well she stopped patting him and he did what he does to me and backs his butt up into her to get her to keep going. i think he'll be ok, we are still very cautious with him but that was a good sign. oh and he also has no problem following her around the house when she has food he loves to try stealing it from her hand too but he is always very gentle. she still gives him treats too she is the only one that has been giving him treats and he takes them very gentle from her hand. the only time now we notice he gets nervous is if she starts running, if there is a loud noise, or if he hasn't seen you for awhile and you reach down to fast to pet him he'll scoot pretty quickly. hasn't growled at any of us besides lily since the one time he growled at emily. i really hope he works out for us because julie is in love with him and i think he likes julie a lot too. he sleeps with her all day and all night. she has been sleeping with a eeyore stuffed animal for about four years now and the stuffed animal is so ripped up and sad looking and foxy has taken the place of the stuffed animal because he will just let her cuddle with him all night. if she wants to use the eeyore he will wait until she is asleep and then snuggle up as close as he can to her belly i feel a little left out. i have my fingers crossed that he keeps improving though because julie loves this little dog so much and i really want her to be happy.

 

[smkie]

sounds like your all off to a great start!