Urgent advice needed re: taking in 11 year old lab

[Pammym]

Briefly, mum-in-law was recently admitted to a nursing home because of dementia. We thought we could home her 11 year old labrador who, on the times we have visited mum-in-law (a few times a year), has always been v. good with the children (5 & 7). We have had her since the weekend but yesterday, when she was in the back of the car, I opened the back up to introduce her to a friend of mine and she barked and snapped at her. She also did the same a bit later with our neighbour who came over to see her (again she was sat in back of car) and she narrowly missed my neighbour with her teeth.

I am a bit shaken by this behaviour as I didn't think she had it in her and I am now re-considering our decision to take her in. The dog has lived a very quiet life in the country with just her and mum-in-law and maybe it is too much to ask of her at her age to suddenly be a lot more sociable. We also have a cat which we were hoping to introduce but the snappy behaviour has also maded me a lot more wary about this than before.

Do you think there is a chance that with a bit more time that this old dog could learn to be more sociable or is it unlikely?

Thanks.

poor thing - she is probably so confused and bewildered by why she has suddenly been moved from the home and owner she clearly loved so much. I don't have any advice for you but I so hope you can sort things out and not rehome her. It is probably very early days for her and maybe she is just realising that this is a permanent situation and wondering why. Everything must be so different for her. Hope someone with some advice comes along soon

She's scared. Very scared. Her whole life has gone to pot.

Has she been crate trained? I'd probably go that way if it were me. Gives her a space to have time out, and a place for her when you aren't able to actively supervise when the kids are around her. And also the best way to cat train dogs apparently.

It'll probably take months for her to settle, but no reason why she won't eventually.

Crate training takes between 30-60 minutes - there are lots of good videos on YouTube on how to do it. I used lots of cheese training my 9 yo rescue dog. Not all dogs will accept a crate though, but I think most do.

And it's very kind of you to take her in. She'd have next to no chance of being re-homed via a rescue centre.

Another possible reason for unexpected snappiness is an underlying medical problem.

(sorry for all the messages. Keep hitting return then think of more!)

Also dogs do get more territorial about cars than other areas. I second, she will needs lots of love to make her feel at home in her new home... don't give up on her

She is very stressed and insecure at the moment so you need to take things very slowly. Have a bed for her in a corner, or under a worktop so she has a safe place. Do not allow the children to disturb her there, and allow her space. I would also hold off from inviting people to come and see her until she has settled.
I don't think the snapping indicates an aggressive dog, she is stressed and reacting. Try to establish a calm routine for her, and only allow the children near her when you are supervising.

She will adjust, but has only been with you for a few days. She won't have a bloody clue what has happened to her.

She is very, very frightened, missing her old life and I have no doubt struggling to adjust to the difference in noise, activity and people that moving to live with you will have brought.

Go easy on her. Be kind, gentle and consistent. Avoid putting her in a situation which is going to stress her at the moment.

The flashpoint has been the car - did she not go out in the car much before? Is it a different model car? Is she sitting in a different place - the boot rather than the back seat say?

I would avoid the car with her for a week or so to let her adjust to her new family and gather her self together.

Please allow her to settle in gently and quietly and do not introduce her to friends and other family for a while yet. As others have said, she is probably completely bewildered, frightened and missing her owner. Everything willl smell and sound different, maybe even different food and a whole new routine to learn. Just take things very, very gently and slowly and avoid crowding her or too much excitement or noise in the early days.

So sorry you are taking her on in these circumstances. Good luck.

I think the situation with the car is to do with a strange person looming in on her in a confined space. I own a nervous dog, and avoid putting him in a stressful situation in a confined space as he could snap. People looming over him, and hands in his face also stress him. He is fine if he is allowed to approach people in his own time, and they crouch down and hold out the back of their hand to him. Just give her time poor girl.

My latest rescue dog (10 year old Rott) nipped me a couple of times in the first few days, and I do I understand the feeling of panic/worry - I was a bit upset and shaken at the time as it did hurt and leave marks, and I wondered if I'd taken on more than I could handle!

But he's not an aggressive or unsociable dog - he was just scared and stressed. He's been through a lot in his life, and he didn't know me and wasn't sure what I might do! It was his way of saying 'leave me alone'. As an elderly dog he can get a bit stiff and sore as well, and possibly didn't trust me to touch him gently and not pull him about.

You know this dog, you know she's not aggressive. She's stressed and bewildered by the new surroundings and strange people, missing her home and her 'mum', it's no surprise she might act a bit out of character sometimes.

Give her space and time, take everything slowly with getting her used to the car, introducing to new people etc. There is no rush.

is the OP here!? How's it all going Pammyn

Thank you all very much for your messages. I am so relieved that you didn't all come back telling me to get rid of her! I have been given loads of useful advice and will probably try the crate training - thanks Katherine. I do think the car is the flash point and it was probably my fault allowing people to come up to her while in a confined space - we live and learn. My DD has a friend to the house to play last night and obviously I was completely on guard with the dog but she was as good as gold - she wagged her tail and was so friendly. I think you are all right - she just needs lots of time and understanding.

Thanks again (and thanks Allergic for checking up on me) :)

Pammyn- so pleased for you, and for lab