Dog growling at DC

[seastheseasagain]

Had no issues previously. A few days ago we got him back from a kennel after going away for a week, and he seems a bit different

He keeps trying to rummage in the bin, despite his well loved by him diet continuing at home, so not sure why he's doing this.

He was a bit mellow when we got him back, happy to see us but far happier when we walk through the front door on a day to day basis etc

Anyway, DC was just walking by the dog, not doing anything else. And he snapped. Not a growl but a warning air bite if that makes sense, not sure what you call it

Yesterday DC walked by in a similar situation, not interacting or bothering the dog, and he had a bad jump startle (didn't growl or go to warn. Just really jumped out of his skin)

Why is the dog doing this? It's wording me

Sounds like he didn't have a good experience at the kennels.

He needs some time to decompress, be left alone completely and given time to readjust. Keep children away with baby gates.

Should also add we've had him for 5 months and he seemed to settle in straight away, but does like his space and doesn't initiate any playful behaviour with DC

My mum has a tiny poodle cross breed the size of a small cat and he loves DC and seeks them out

I've noticed recently that our dog has stopped showing signs of excitement when DC comes back from school and is only happy to see me or H

Thank you. He was actually rehomed from there (they do a holiday service for those dogs only that isn't advertised)

Can I said, what do I do if the dog won't stay away? I've tried putting him in a separate room but he whinges and cries until he can be in the same room as the family again

Poor dog has had a bad experience at the kennels. Precisely why mine would never go in one.

Your dog's behaviour is preferable over that of your mum's with regard to children and playing. Neutral interactions are best.

Are there children at the kennels? 5 months isn't very long to have owned him, perhaps he was unsettled by the whole thing, especially if rescue. Not criticism for kennelling, life has to go on, just wondering what could have caused it. I agree with poster who said decompression time and calm environment. Maybe the kids can pass some tasty treats through a baby gate. I would also drop in the kennels and see if it's not as nice as you thought, it could help protect other people's dogs if it's a cruel place. Good luck, try not to worry yet.

It was the same kennels he was rehomed from? He might’ve thought you were giving him up and it’s triggered previous trauma.

That doesn't mean he had a good experience there.

Use a pen so he can be with you but the children really must be taught to give him space. He sounds nervous and anxious.

I'd recommend a full vet check as a first port of call and then a consultation with a qualified behaviourist if no health problems are found. I'd not be messing about with this in case the aggression escalates which it is likely to do.

I asked the owner that (it's a refining charity and they're very caring about the breed). She said she finds they like being back and seeing fellow dogs, and very happy to see owner

I trusted that advice as I had no reason to doubt it

Vet check first surely. If this behaviour is new then your dog might be in pain. It could be trauma of course, I think using kennels he came from was a huge mistake and was likely triggering for him. He didn't know you were coming back. A home boarder would probably be more appropriate for a rescue. Anyway, vets tomorrow I'd say, could have been injured playing with other dogs or picked up a bug.

I fostered the most wonderful little dog earlier on this year, she adored my youngest and vice versa. We had every intention of keeping her if it all panned out.

Few behaviour niggles i sorted but as she settled, about 5 months in, i could see the brick work was there for resource gaurding toys/food, she growled and snapped at me over something high value and was possesive/grabby over things.

And I realised i didnt trust her with my children (never unsupervised anyway) and i knew eventually we would end up with a bite and i wasnt willing to risk waiting for it to happen.

I contacted a rescue and the perfect home came up for her within days and we let her go.

If im having doubts about my childrens safety, its a number one priority and i wont mess about in acting on it.

Thank you. It's a shame because he's very placid and docile. And the most gorgeous dog. But I feel like he's just tolerating DC instead of seeking them out and being interested in them like my mum's dog

He has passed on now, but another family member has a Staffie who also adored children and was very happy and playful - However, if he was asleep and a child passed by, (and not my DC but other DCs stroked him), he just wagged and came to life, happy to be with them

A friend's golden retriever is similar, just has a different vibe that doesn't scream he's just tolerating DC like mine is at the moment

For context, he was recommended to us because of his very calm nature

But I'm thinking maybe he's a bit too calm!

I will be taking him to the vets tomorrow anyway, maybe something has come up with him and he's hurting

He could have hurt himself in kennels, digging up concrete, chewing at cage. So paws, mouth, could be sore.

It's more likely trauma from previous stay in the kennels.

I'd ask your daughter to start feeding the dog, that will help with bonding, also gravy bones, snapped in half and thrown for him to enjoy.

Can I ask what breed he is?

@justasking111 he will tolerate being fed treats fine and is okay with that, no problem

He's a GH

what is a GH?

Greyhound?

Exactly this

That’s not fair, not all kennels are the same or bad. Ours goes to kennels and is always happy to go back. Fellow dog owners use the same kennels because they’re great. I’d be equally wary of home boarders, they’re just as capable of abusing or neglecting your dog.

Regarding the rehoming of a rescue after a short time pp, after 20 years of rehoming and rescue in the Middle East, I am amazed how many people decide to get rid of their dog and then the next day the 'perfect home' comes up. More like respectable fro to for bait collectors. It's mazing what a guilty conscience can persuade you to believe. Pest control tell people there is this lovely farm where all the rescues run free, then sell them on to god knows who.

I've no idea, neither has Google.

Yes, it's a Grey

If you’re at all concerned about your children’s safety you must ask for him to be rehoused.

If he's not keen on children then you need to potentially re-home. We had a lurcher who we rehomed once DS was walking. We realised he was anxious around DS and it's not fair on the dog to live like that. We managed to re-home to a family with much older children and he had a great life with them. Actually better than we would have managed as the bloke worked for the forestry commission and took him to work with him.