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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Ddog snapped at two children :-(

47 replies

Harumff · 17/06/2017 21:34

I really need some advice/reassurance I'm doing the right thing here...

Adopted a c5 year old collie cross 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was a stray so the centre didn't know her history but she had been with them two months and was very sociable. She is incredibly placid at home and loves nothing more than to go between us for cuddles and tummy rubs and has dealt brilliantly with our two cats.
Despite being a stray she was obviously loved at some point as she came to us very well trained - will sit, lie down, leave food until told she can get it etc.

All great.... about a week ago when we were out walking her, a boy about 3 ran up to her with a massive stick in a 'lion tamer' sort of stance and she growled then tried to snap at him (she was on the lead so no harm done). I didn't think too much of it as I didn't blame her for being scared the way he approach and the parent actually apologised to us.

Then today my sister was having a barbecue and invited us plus dog. For a couple of hours she loves the attention and got lots of strokes and cuddles from the dozen or so people who were there and was very well behaved (I should say everyone there was an adult or child between 11-16). Then a friend turned up with her 6 year old daughter. The dog was lying asleep under a chair and the girl ran straight in very noisily (she has autism and 'squeals' a lot) straight towards her. The dog growled and snapped at her as I grabbed her.

I'm utterly devastated. She has shown no aggression whatsoever towards my two dc (11 and 13) or anyone else, although she does look out of the window and sometimes growl at people walking past. My first instinct is we need to take her back as this was two warnings that I can't ignore.... but now I'm thinking that in each of these cases the dog was understandably scared by the situation and maybe I give her the benefit of the doubt. Small kids aren't really a part of our life (these two are the only two she has seen in 2 1/2 weeks) and we always keep her on a lead outside so it's unlikely that she would have the opportunity to do harm. But can I trust her properly now? I'm considering getting a professional involved before I give up on her but just wanted some opinions/advice from you more experienced dog owners. Thanks

OP posts:

LoveMyLittleSuperhero · 17/06/2017 21:44

Sounds like maybe she has had a bad experience with a young child. I'd say yes get a professional involved (the rescue you adopted from may help with this) Also it might be a good idea to use a muzzle on your walks till the issue is resolved as a safety net for you incase she or the child are too quick for you.

OwlOfBrown · 17/06/2017 21:53

Yes, sounds like she has a fear of smaller children, so it would be a good idea to keep her muzzled on walks where she is likely to come across them.

Do also bear in mind that, assuming you're in the UK, it was very hot today and that will affect a dog's temperament. She'd already spent a couple of hours getting attention from people she didn't know, in the heat, so was probably completely overwhelmed by an excited 6 year old.

You may have to accept that she is not the 'goes-wherever-I-go' type of dog and make sure she is left at home in a quiet safe place when you go out socialising.

Orangebird69 · 17/06/2017 22:01

I think you're overreacting a bit tbh. In both situations the dog was approached uinvited and nor very nicely. Just tell people with small kids to stay away.

ToothTrauma · 17/06/2017 22:02

Oh don't take her back it sounds like she's had a rough time of it. Get a good behaviourist and muzzle her when you're on walks for the time being. Good luck

DisappearingFish · 17/06/2017 22:04

My dog doesn't like children. It's manageable. You just have to be alert. He goes out of his way to avoid them and we tell kids not to bother him.

It sounds like even the most placid dog would be spooked by those instances.

razzledazzel · 17/06/2017 22:08

I was also thinking that the heat today may have been a factor. My own placid usually fantastic with kids dog has been known to snap when hot and bothered when overexcited children won't leave him alone.

wheresthel1ght · 17/06/2017 22:10

Taking her back is a massive overreaction. On both instances she has been badly startled and in the first threatened and she has really reacted. In both cases the parenrs of the children are at fault not the dog.

Ask the rescue for names of behaviourists and work with her. Collies are very smart and you can teach her.

My mum has 2 rescue collies. The younger one was very wary of small kids when they first got her. It took about a year of working with her an using a soft muzzle on walls but these days she is fabulous with kids and often used by locals to teach the kids who are timid around dogs about how to get over their fears. Whilst I wouldn't ever leave any dog alone with a child, she has never shown any aggression to my dd, as a baby dd would screech and yell and when first walking would run unstably towards the dog, never a reaction. Even when dd fell full force onto her (dog has a habit of appearing from. Nowhere and laying under feet) the dog never reacted.

Dewey595 · 17/06/2017 22:11

Don't take her back she has probably been traumatised by young children before. As yours are older I don't see it would cause much of an issue for you. Be patient with her.

IrregularCommentary · 17/06/2017 22:13

You're in the very early stages. 2.5 weeks is nothing - the dog will still be finding its feet and settling in with you.

I think you're right to take it seriously, and it might be worth speaking to a behaviourist for advice, but the two situations you've described don't make me think you have a dog that's aggressive towards children.

I think you have a dog trying to settle into new surroundings who has been put under an immense amount of stress on two occasions, coincidentally both by children, and he's reacted by clearly telling you he's not comfortable.

Don't write the dog off over these incidents, honestly.

Orlandointhewilderness · 17/06/2017 22:14

She doesn't sound like an aggressive dog - just one who was worried and scared. Just make sure she isn't in this position again.

IrregularCommentary · 17/06/2017 22:14

She, not he. Sorry.

raindropstea · 17/06/2017 22:16

It's not her fault. Small children need to be supervised around animals at all times and taught not to do things that scare them like sudden movements. Sorry but your son should have never been able to stand like a "lion tamer" with a stick above her. She may have been abused before you got her. Children make a lot of fast and unsettling movement which can be unsettling even for the calmest pets who have always been in good homes. Teach your children how to treat her and watch them closely. Sorry if this is blunt but I volunteer in animal rescue and so many people give up lovely animals because their kids are poorly behaved around the animals. It isn't the animals fault!

Original poster

Harumff · 17/06/2017 22:17

Thanks so much for the responses. I'm pleased a few of you have said it's an overreaction to take her back, I was worried I would get the opposite...
I'm feeling calmer now as I reflect on it. I won't be taking her to such events again and she won't have kids approaching her generally the fear I have is just re walks but the muzzle is a good idea for reassurance. I've emailed a behaviouralist too for some further advice. I do feel like both situations were a bit unfair on her (and yes it was very hot today!) but I was worried I was making excuses for her.
I wish I knew more about her past but that isn't going to happen but hopefully we'll be able to rid her of her fear going forward - even if she is always scared of kids to an extent it shouldn't impact daily life I just don't want to have to be scared to take her out in case of an encounter.

OP posts:

raindropstea · 17/06/2017 22:19

And like another poster said, this dog has been through a lot. She's trying to settle in which is already stressful in itself. But your kids are allowed to do things that make her more stressed out. You shouldn't be allowing this. The kids have to be taught how to behave around the dog and to respect her. It can't just be a free for all. Make her life less stressful. Your kids are obviously stressing her out and you have allowed the 3 year old to stand above her like a lion tamer and while she was napping a girl came running up to her. What do you honestly expect?

Original poster

Harumff · 17/06/2017 22:19

And it's wasn't my son raindrop!

OP posts:

Original poster

Harumff · 17/06/2017 22:20

Please read my op again, neither were my children - one was out on a walk and one a kid that arrived at my sister's when we were there!

OP posts:

raindropstea · 17/06/2017 22:20

Okay well she's your dog. So don't allow other kids to do that to her.

raindropstea · 17/06/2017 22:23

I have a golden retriever who is the sweetest dog in the world and even she would be upset by what you've described. I wouldn't let other kids startle or scare her.

Dewey595 · 17/06/2017 22:25

Really pleased to hear your update. It sounds like she has found a very caring home with you.

Original poster

Harumff · 17/06/2017 22:25

Sorry for being defensive but in the first situation a boy ran up to us while we were walking her and the second we were at my sister's where I wasn't even expecting there to be a child and she ran in and straight towards her before I could do anything. I think it's unfair to imply that I neglectfully allowed kids to treat her badly.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 17/06/2017 22:28

If someone ran in and screamed at me as I was sleeping I think I might react in a pretty extreme way too!
Perhaps an "I need space" or "nervous" lead or bandana or whatever. Avoid parks etc where very young children are likely to be free range. At a social gathering I would consider a playpen or crate etc as a safe space. (If dog is happy in one.) or just avoid putting her in a situation where she has to face so many people.

TheFlyingFauxPas · 17/06/2017 22:31

Bloody hot today don't blame her.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 17/06/2017 22:33

I have a dog who gets very stressed with young children. She hates the sudden, loud noises they make. She have never snapped at a child but has growled so I never take her to events where small dc will be running around and if they come to our house she goes up into our bedroom with the door shut.
I'd also echo what others have said re the heat, on a day like today she should be indoors for most of the day as it's far too hot, unless she's sat in very dense shade.

dotdotdot3 · 17/06/2017 22:36

I'm really pleased to hear you've reconsidered and hope it all goes well.

Just to add - realistically, rescue dogs can take months to settle into their new home, and behaviours shown during the first few weeks are often not typical of the dog you'll end up with. Lots of rescues lack confidence for a fair while, understandably, as they have been through a confusing and frightening time even though they are now being treated with kindness.

I have always found the first task with any rescue is to do as much as possible to provide a calm and predictable environment - so no parties, loud or excited children etc. Even taking a dog to training classes can be stressful for them until they have properly settled, so go slowly. One to one training is best at first (in my opinion) with a reward-based trainer. It could take three months for your dog to 'come out of her shell' and to begin to respond more reliably. I would certainly allow for that unless there were major problems with unprovoked and unexplained aggression, which is not what we have here.

Good luck with it all and do keep us posted!

Venusflytwat · 17/06/2017 22:37

It was hot, in both cases the kids were the ones behaving stupidly towards her.

Have to say I think 2 weeks in is ridiculously early to take a rescue dog out to a big event where they don't know the setting or people for hours on end. That would have been a stressful day for her.

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