Dog snarling and showing teeth

[OdeToDiazepam]

My dads dog keeps snarling and showing her teeth to me when she doesn't want to do something. For example if I ask her to go in her crate, I'll get a treat I'll ask nicely but she'll go under a table and start to act very aggressively. She can do this if I want her to go upstairs too either at night or because I understandably won't leave her alone with the children.

She's a staffy cross and it seems to be getting worse. I'm not sure what the best approach is

[OnceUponAMidnightBeery]

How old is she? Does she have any health issues?

[OdeToDiazepam]

She's quite old maybe about 9 she's a a rescue so we don't know exactly. She has some issues with allergies that she's had for years

[adaline]

What is she like with everyone else?

[LadyGuffers]

I'm not sure what the best approach is

Set up the environment and task so that she WANTS to do what you want her to do.

If she is hiding under the table when asked to get in her crate then she doesn't want to be in the crate. Figure out why and change it.

Does she do the same if, instead of asking, you toss the treat into the crate and leave her to wander in and get it?
Is the treat tasty enough to be worth the crate (to her)?
Do you overuse the crate so that she resents being in there?
Is it comfy in there, especially considering she is an old dog and likely to have some aches and pains?

[pigsDOfly]

Is this a recent change in behaviour? You say it's getting worse, has she always growled at you?

If it's recent change in behaviour I'd be getting her checked out by the vet, she could be in pain, especially as she's old now. You're asking her to move, perhaps moving is painful for her.

Does she only do this with you?

[villainousbroodmare]

I'd stay far the fuck away from her and don't let your children near her whatsoever. I'm on a trolley right now, waiting to be transferred to a facial plastic surgeon after a bite to the face from a dog who genuinely gave no warning.

[LochJessMonster]

@villainousbroodmare And that's relevant to this particular post because?

This dog is obviously giving pretty clear warnings that she is not happy with something (ie the crate), now the op needs to figure out why and how she can change her response to the crate.

If its just the crate that seems to be issue then something has happened. It might not even be directly related to the crate. Was she is the crate and something loud scared her? Did she accidentally catch a foot in the crate etc.

Can you start by feeding her in the crate with the door wide open so she associates it with good things.
Maybe buy a bigger crate?

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

But it's not just the crate, it's going upstairs as well.

[BlastEndedSkrewt]

has she always done this? how long have you had her OP?

[LochJessMonster]

But it's not just the crate, it's going upstairs as well.

Could she have arthritis and going up the stairs and curling in the crate hurt her?

[adaline]

But it's not just the crate, it's going upstairs as well.

It could be that the dog has sore joints, or has had bad experiences or maybe being dragged into her crate or up stairs at some point. Maybe someone has accidentally hurt her in some way and now she's scared.