Rescue dog growling at dd

[marcogreen]

Hello everyone

I'm a nervous wreck after recently adopting a young terrier (about 2) from a local (very reputable) rescue.

He seemed fine when we met him and walked him at the rescue but since he's been home with us (just over a week), he's started growling at my daughter (9).

He can be relaxed and happy one minute and the next he's growling and barking at her. He hasn't snapped or bared his teeth - but I am very worried and I can see she's wary of him. He doesn't do this outside or on walks, just in the house.

My partner thinks I'm overreacting and reckons the dog just needs time to settle in but I don't want to take any chances.

I've spoken to the rescue who said they think it's status-related (i.e. he's trying it on with my daughter because he sees her as the weakest link) and have given us some tips to deal with it - e.g. have my daughter feed him and hold his lead on walks (all under close supervision) and generally show him that she's further up the pecking order. But having looked into this online, it seems this sort of pack theory is years out of date. I'm quite confused.

The rescue also said if they honestly thought he was a threat, they'd take him from us but they really think he'll settle down with time. He's otherwise a sweet dog, very energetic but a real character. I just can't stand the idea of my daughter having to tiptoe around her own house until (if) he settles down. She's putting on a brave face because she's desperate to keep him but I can see she's nervous.

Any ideas?

Thank you!

And it's not your fault. A good rescue will work really hard to match the right dog to the right home. The right dog for you is out there.

And please please tell your daughter that this is absolutely not her fault. It's the safest thing for both her and the dog.

OP I have a (very) large breed rescue but no kids in the house. He is aggressive towards me but not DP. Initially we worked with a trainer who subscribed to pack theory and it made everything worse. We are working with a behaviourist who is great but it’s incredibly hard work and stressful. His behaviour has got worse as he’s got more comfortable in the house as he feels more able to show how he really feels.
I love dogs and will continue to work through this process because I know that we can’t rehome him (behaviour is too far and he’s too big) so this is his last chance but in your situation I wouldn’t hesitate.

Aren't you concerned for your own safety, Burnamer? Sounds like a scary situation to me. Hope all goes well.

Thanks @Marynotsocontrary
We’re managing the situation really carefully and I’m learning to read his body language much better. I do have to be constantly “on” around him though which is why I don’t think it’s feasible for a child to take on something similar.
His aggression comes from how badly he was treated and it’s all fear-related. He’s not a bad dog, just damaged by his early life.

I had a dog which was like this with dh. We struggled on for ages thinking he’d settle, that behaviourists would help, etc. The behaviour escalated. Looking back he should have gone back in the first week. He ended up being pts as by then he was unrehomeable.

Maybe you can offer to keep the dog until he is rehomed to another home straight from yours? But obviously keep him away from your daughter in the meantime. That way he wouldn't have to go back to kennels and your daughter would know he has a home to go to.

@Burnamer That's an amazing thing you're doing for this dog. It sounds like a scary situation though given the dog's size. What breed is he?

Thanks for all your messages - it's been really helpful. We've spoken to the rescue and they've agreed it's safer for all if we return him so they can find him a home without kids.
We're all very upset but agree it's for the best.

Glad you have resolution but nationally I'm concerned at how many difficult/stressed/damaged dogs are circulating from rescue-home-rescue-home, this is a real worry.

Well done, OP, that's the best option all round. A rescue group tried to rehome a very reactive dog with my friend without being clear on his issues - all done with the best of intentions but thankfully my friend was savvy enough to realise it wasn't the right setup for either the dog or her.