Hi,
A bit of background: my sweet, sensitive, deep feeling/thinking 8yr old dd has been dog obsessed for over a year. She has been desperate for a pet dog for this time, but never nagged or anything. I am not a dog person. We also have an energetic, stubborn, boisterous 4.8 yr old ds.
After sponsoring a dog at the local dog rescue for a year, and visiting it weekly, the staff told us about a 6mth old terrier/daschund cross looking for a home. After discussing it with dh and doing some research, we decided to go for it. This was one month ago. The whole family is in love with dog. I am not. Very.
I freely admit I don't know much about dogs, although I am trying. I am worried about a few things:
- Dog growls in his throat quite a bit, and it's getting worse eg. if we approach him and he doesn't feel like being stroked, if we say 'no' and he doesn't like it or sometimes if ds just approaches him. He has never bitten or seriously attempted to bite the kids. Just 'mouthing' sometimes.
- He sort of attacked me the other day when I tried to move hime away from a hole he'd dug in the lawn. He'd growled a few times when I'd tried to call him away, and I then put my hand down and tried to get him by the collar. Before I'd touched him, he went mad, snarling and lunging for my hand. He didn't bite me, but only because I moved quickly!!
- He barks alot when we aren't in the house. Neighbours patient at the moment but how long will it last??
So, what to do? Will it get better? Do we all need 'training'? I know my dd will be utterly DISTRAUGHT if we have to get rid of dog. Rest of family would be upset but would get over it. I feel totally trapped. Help!!!!