what to do?

[dws1410 8]

2 weeks ago i took on a 2 year old collie/grey/saluki cross she's a cracking wee dog works well day and night and very affectionate but last night my 4 year old son was sitting on the sofa she was sitting at the other end of the sofa the boy was neither looking at the dog or touching her but she snapped at him twice with no warning the boy got a fright but no harm was done up until then there had been no issues would any of you guys let her stay or must she go?

[mattydski 560]

Sounds like a pack hierarchy issue...

He feels more important than the child. First thing is not to let him on the settee. Re establish the pack position.. Even if that means locking in a cage in the kitchen..if you have no kennel.

But I think alot of people will suggest that it wont work out.

The last one i had with this problem, didnt work out.. Thats the problem with rehoaming is you dont always know all of the history..

Our's was PTS for nipping my son on the face.

best of luck

[LDR 29]

if you aint got the facility to kennel it and keep it away from children, i'd say you've had a lucky warning, might not be as lucky next time mate!!!

[fireman 10,934]

First thing i would have done was knock the shite out of her,pinned her down and had the kid next to me when i did it.never let her on the settee ever again and make the dog give room for the kid,watch for any repeat and if it looks like it will happen again then pts is safer for all around.Imagine if she sinks in her teeth the next time,let her know where she stands,at the bottom of the ladder you and your family are top dogs,make her understand or you may regret it.

[dexie 2]

i always be told floor dogs domain not settee. never had it but would of give it a kicking to remind who top of pecking order then kicked it out in kennel or other means. watch it carefully and if showed any signs again reach straight for gun cabinet and spade no questions. Dogs been pts for a lot less.

[mattydski 560]

The other thing to add, is if you do physically punish or repremand the dog, it must be done fairly and immediately. Not even a few seconds after. This way the dog now exactly what it is being punished for..

If i need to punish an animal severly, i grab it as hard as i can on the scruff on the neck with the left hand and raise my right hand as if i were going to hit it, but i dont..i almost pick the dog off the floor. Not round the jowls, as this is seen as aggression by the dog, not assertion.

 

Now, all i have to do, is raise my hand, and say no in a certain voice. no grabbing.. I dont condone keeping a dog, where you have to use violence to control it.. Its not fair on the animal.