old dog troubles

[cuddlemonkey2016]

My old dog (11 years) has started being really grumpy with my two daughters (aged 2 and 3)

They obviously want lots of cuddles etc and he keeps snapping at them. I feel bad on the girls continuously telling them to leave him alone and feel bad on poor doggy as its not his fault he is old and can't be arsed with my two girls :(

A friend of mine has offered to have him for the rest of his days and give him some peace and quiet. Although I know deep down this is the right thing to I feel awful on him as he has been with my since my 20's.

AIBU? The vet has suggested keeping him in another part of the house whilst girls are around but that would be even worse from him stuck away from the family.

He's not that old.

Is he in pain for some reason?
I would not send him away in his old age, but if you feel he's have a good home with your friend, than maybe.

Does he know and like your friend? Can you do a staged move over to their house, over a few weeks? Obviously in that time you would have to be really strict about keeping him separate from your Dds. He is giving clear signals he is not happy with being hugged by them, please don't put him in a position where he feels he has no option but to take it a step further.

Yup, my first thought is has he got something wrong,is he in pain.
Worth getting him checked out?

Sorry, it might be worth adding I am experienced with dogs, so wouldn't just send him away.

Yep she walks him every day (I pay her) and he absolutely adores her.

I think it'd be incredibly mean to send him away at his age. Poor dog having to snap just to be left alone and not cuddled. Just stop the kids from harassing him and let him enjoy his golden years in the home he's had all his life.

I totally agree Ginsoaked, however is it not meaner to let him get into a position were he could bite one of my girls and be put to sleep?

You're going to rehome your dog rather than just stopping your children harass him?...

Apologies, I assumed you might just send him straight there. the Doghouse really does attract all sorts of owners,

I think if he has been used to the run of the house and now your Dds have reached an age where they also have the run of the house it would be unfair to shut him out of part of that.

If you stop your kids from doing it then he won't have to escalate it will he.

Sounds a lot like he's in pain. Arthritis is a common one - manageable with pain relief and even stuff like acupuncture. Definitely worth investigating because you could get his old personality back if so. He's a bit young for it to be dementia and it's odd for a dog to change personality suddenly with no reason.

What breed is he?

If you don't mind saying, of course.

I agree it sounds like he's in pain. Ask the vet about dog pain relief - do they have Metacam (anti-inflammatory) like cats do? I'm not a dog person.

One thing that helped a friend's old dog was raising his food bowel on a block so he didn't have to bend his neck.

Bowl not Bowel - argh!

I'm a vet and pain is definitely a likely problem, worth trialling pain relief (if your own vet agrees) to see if there is any improvement. You also need to have a word with your DCs as it may be simply that the dog can no longer get away when he wants to. Get him a very thorough vet check if you've not done so already.

If nothing else works I don't think rehomiing to someone he knows and likes is a bad option if it is in his best interests. It's lovely that you're not just giving up on him.

He is a mini schnauzer. We lost his sister in December as well :(

Will take him vets and get him checked. He has always been a bit grumpy but old age is creeping up on him. I can't just shut him away as that's no quality of life for him.

Thanks Magster. He certainly won't be going anywhere i didn't know and I can still see him.
He just wants quiet time and my girls want cuddles. Doesn't help he is really cute :(

11 isn't that old for a mini schnauzer, but who knows.

I do feel sorry for the old boy.

" I can't just shut him away as that's no quality of life for him."

No, you can supervise your children and teach them how to interact with a dog appropriately.

I completely supervise my children, but thanks for the tip.

Obviusly not well enough if they're cuddling him.

Sorry, but your dog is quite clearly telling you that he's unhappy with the way your children are treating him, whether that's because he's sore and they're hurting him or just because cuddling isn't actually something that all dogs find enjoyable...

Could you get a mini schnauzer toy for them to squeeze & ask them just to chat to & pat the dog?

like this

Maybe they are too rough? Young children can be.

Children are more important than dogs.

This dog is unhappy with the behaviour of these two small, unpredictable children.

Dog is expressing his displeasure. Children are not recognising it because they are children. Adult is. The situation is currently in hand. Adult removes children from dog.

Dog may well be in pain. Or may just be annoyed by the children.

There are two children who may misbehave in future no matter how good the children re trained to be. This could have catastrophic results for the children and then the dog. Owner is poking to prevent this.

Trip to vet to check for pain is key.

Not locking dog away but giving him a "safe place" could be useful in don't know the size of a miniature schnauzer, but could you give him a den. Somewhere he can etc to but the kids can't. Somewhere he can take himself to? We are teaching our dd that dogs bed is hallowed ground and only dog goes there. She must not touch, same as she must not touch the fire eve though it is summer and the fire won't get on for ages.

If you cannot make safe then yes removing is better than euthanasia, especially removing with someone has knows and loves. But are there other things you can do first?

My JRT is about 15 now, he is an old boy but never has he been grumpy with the kids they respect him and his space and he adores them. 11 is still young for a small dog and sending him away from his home rather than getting him examined and teaching your children to respect him is just cruel to be honest.

Realistically it would be difficult to supervise the dogs and kids all the time. You can't trust kids that young to be gentle all the time and physically separating them would be the only completely safe way to protect both children and dog.

I would go for the managed move. If the dog seems distressed you can always reconsider. If successful the dog gets a happy retirement.