4 months ago I adopted a Romanian rescue puppy of 6 months old.
I had wanted a dog for a long time but because of work commitments I decided it was not a good idea. For a while I got my dog fix by walking a dog for someone else. Finally when I had to give up work because of caring commitments I decided to take the plunge and get a dog of my own & decided to go for a rescue pup. When we first got our pup I must admit I found it tough particularly as barking seemed to be his default setting all the time but we took things slow and after a few weeks things slowly improved and we fell into a routine.
Now 4 months since he arrived it’s all gone to pot. He is barking at all family members apart from me. One occasion my husband dropped a pen on the floor and bent to pick it up and the dog lunged at him. While he uncrosses or crosses his legs while sitting the dog will growl and snarl at him. He has growled at my brother in law, my son and even my disabled daughter. Initially we hired a behaviourist for a few issues and his advice was simple but did work around initial barking but I am really concerned now that the dog could bite someone. I was hoping after 4 months he would have settled more than this. While we sit in the lounge and we are all still he is OK but as son as one of us moves he growls, snarls and barks. Mealtimes are the same. I have invested so much emotion and money in this dog( he is good with other dogs but will bark at their owners if they approach him. He also barks at children in the park) so I would reluctantly return him to rescue as he has improved in some areas and feel it would set the dog back but I don’t think my nerves can take much more. Any advice/opinions I know the issue of dogs is highly charged so I won’t be offended by any criticism…..