As regards to me not managing it properly, this is mine and my dogs home. What should I do lock her in a room for the past few days not to leave and not to walk about her house? It’s not a case of “popping into each room” my dog lives here. I’ve got 1 lounge and that’s where she mainly chills am I to shut her out of her own home?
Yes you keep it out of the room! If your niece has suddenly become terrified of your dog, you have the dog leave the room - not your niece. Sorry its a shit situation, but you sound like you are prioritising the bloody dog over your little niece.
However unreasonable her behaviour is to the dog, there is obviously a reason for it. Has anyone actually asked her why she is suddenly scared of the dog?
Its a big dog to a 5 year old. If its knee height to you, its almost face height to her. So put in persepctive, its like you coming face to face with an animal the size of a bear. And the adults in the house are repeatedly letting this dog into the same room the child is when she is clearly terrified of it.
I understand its your dogs home, but you've had it just over a year. Surely your niece is more important?
Honestly instead of just thinking your niece is being an entitled brat and has it in for your dog for no reason at all, perhaps the adults in her life ALL OF THEM that are there should be addressing it and working together to deal with it instead of just saying well the dog lives here so tough shit.
Has the dog done something to scare her since she arrived, as you say she was ok with it before? Have you asked her? perhaps it bounded up and scared her when you and her parents were not in the room? Or growled at her? It is a rescue dog and unfortunately, however much training they have had, can be unpredictable is something triggers something in their past that was perhaps traumatic.
I only say this because we had a rescue dog, lots of training, so placid and such a lovely dog. no issues at all. Had him for 3 years. Until one day an old friend visited who had a cowboy type hat on and the dog went mental, never seen anything like it. barking, growling, snarling. hat got removed and dog calmed down. So you just never know. I just can't imagine a small child suddenly screaming at a dog for no reason at all unless its done something to scare her?
And her telling it its naughty when its behind the gate. perhaps thats why, but she is safe behind the gate so able to tell it off them instead of when its in her face.
Perhaps address the actual issue instead of kicking them out early because you don't agree with your SIL's parenting method in calming her terrified child.