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Post by jennc10 on Jan 19, 2013 12:43:05 GMT -5
We just rescued a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from a local animal shelter. They estimated her to be around the age of 3. We have had no problems from her since bringing her home two weeks ago besides her taking random things out the doggie door. It's very evident that someone has taught her basic manners and is very submissive to both my husband & I when she's taken things outside she wasn't suppose to. Our problem we're facing now is her growling at my mom while she's visiting us. When she holds our 4 month old baby it seems to get a growl out of her too. I don't mind her being protective of us but I need help socializing her with family members in our home. She's been to Petco for baths & all the girls rave about how sweet Lexi is. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 20, 2013 11:39:38 GMT -5
Hey there, welcome to the forum.
Transitioning to a new home can be very stressful for a dog. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to expect too much too soon from the dog (too much freedom, expose the dog to too many new people, places, things, etc). Your dog needs some time to settle in.
To start, read this:
Your Newly Adopted Dog
Some things to consider.
It takes time to settle in: Chances are, the dog you are bringing into your family has been shuffled around and possibly has spent a number of months living in a kennel run. He hasn't known a permanent home, and hasn't had the opportunity to learn proper house manners. Nor has he had the chance to really bond with someone. You know he's home now and safe, but he doesn't. So, give him time to get to know his new home, settle in, and learn the rules. It takes a good 3 to 6 months for a rescue dog to really start to feel like a member of the family. Don't get frustrated if he doesn't turn into Lassie overnight.
Freedom needs to be earned: A new dog loose in a big house all by himself is a recipe for disaster. Instead of giving your new pet free reign, gradually accustom him to being in the house by limiting his freedom and granting more as he proves himself worthy. A new dog needs security and time to learn the rules (for instance, the leather couch is not a chew toy, and the white carpet in the bedroom is not to be used as a toilet!). Keep a close watch on him so you can stop bad behavior before it starts. Initially, it may be a good idea to keep a leash on the dog in the house so you can keep him under control and with you at all times (you don't necessarily have to hold onto the leash, just have it hooked to the collar so it's there if you need it in a pinch). When you cannot watch the dog, utilize a crate. At the very least, when you aren't able to be with him, keep him in a single room or section of the house.
Spoiled dogs are no fun: It will be very tempting to dote on your new pet and shower him with attention and affection. After all, the poor little orphan has never known real love and you are just trying to make up for lost time. The truth is, however, too much attention and spoiling can cause real problems in the owner-dog relationship. A big concern is the development of separation anxiety (intense distress when left alone, which manifests itself in destructive behavior). Because rescue dogs have many times been severely neglected, they often tend to latch on strongly to their new person when they suddenly begin to receive love and attention. The first instinct of the owner of a clingy dog is usually to give out more attention. This is the exact opposite of the correct reaction, however. Right from the get-go, you should avoid over-petting, cooing to and fawning over your dog. You should also work to get your new dog accustomed to being away from you, even when you are home. Even being in separate rooms is sufficient (use the crate or a small, dog-proof room for short periods--give him a chew toy to keep him occupied!). Randomly ignoring the dog for periods of 30 to 60 minutes (give or take) is also a good idea. Get into the habit of asking the dog to sit before you pet him or offer any sort of affection. If this sounds like tough love, it is!
Dogs aren't born civilized: Dogs are born to be dogs. They have all sorts of annoying (to us humans) behaviors that can really clash with our own ways of living. And rescue dogs, who have oftentimes reached adulthood without ever having received any sort of real lessons in human etiquette, may be especially prone to obnoxious behaviors. That doesn't mean they cannot learn to be good canine citizens. What it does mean, however, is that you as the human owner (and leader) are in charge of teaching your new dog manners. Don't expect to bring him home and have him magically conform to your mental image of the ideal dog. Be prepared to put some time into training him. Dogs don't know they aren't supposed to jump on the countertops, jump on guests, or dig up the yard. It's up to the human to teach him.
Housetraining: Your new dog may or may not understand that the house is off-limits as a potty area. Even if he seems to know he must not "go" in the house, it is a good idea to be very vigilant the first few weeks when it comes to elimination habits. Get a schedule going from day one, and stick with it. Initially, you may have to schedule in more potty breaks, but as you come to recognize the dog's own biological schedule, and he comes to understand what the daily routine is, you'll be able to cut down (a medium-sized adult dog should, after training, should have opportunity to eliminate 3 to 4 times a day). Get the dog used to going out one specific door and take him to the same area in the yard. Go out with him, on leash, and praise him when he does his business. Do NOT just send him out in the yard on his own. Here's the important part: work to prevent accidents in the house by carefully supervising your dog. Each and every accident that occurs will make it more difficult to train the dog to be reliable. Yes, it's work, but the extra time spent establishing good bathroom habits will be well worth it! When the dog begins to signal to you that he has to go out (by running to the door, nudging you, or trying to get your attention in some other way), you'll know he got the message and you can being to send him out on his own and giving him a bit more freedom.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 20, 2013 11:46:54 GMT -5
I just wanted to add that the growling, especially since you have a young child in your home, and you have brought in a dog of unknown history/background, is concerning. Please keep this dog contained (crate/leash) until you get to know him better and do not allow contact with your mom or the baby for the time being. "Protective" behavior is NOT normal for Staffy Bulls or Pit Bulls (is this dog a Pit Bull or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?) I'll wait until you post again before I say more so I'm not overloading you with information  |
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Post by Dave on Jan 20, 2013 19:08:11 GMT -5
*cough* toolate *cough*  |
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Post by jennc10 on Jan 20, 2013 19:44:16 GMT -5
We have now all deducted that Lexi growling is a fear mechanism. My mom has now been here for 2 full days and Lexi hasn't growled at her at all today and even comes up to her like our other dogs do. We have 2 other dogs in the house & she is EXTREMELY passive to both of them. I called the animal shelter and talked to them about checking with the people that had her before us to see if they had any problems with her. Lexi has NEVER shown any aggression to us and we pass Wylie over her because a friend of ours that has pits explained that will help the dog know the baby is dominant to her. Anytime Lexi growled at my mom she turned right around & walked the other way. She never onced showed teeth or tried to go after mom which gives me hope that she is just nervous having other people in our house that she's stii adjusting to.
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Post by Dave on Jan 20, 2013 19:50:56 GMT -5
Don't discoourage or otherwise punish for growling. Accept it as communication from your dog. She doesn't know how to tell you she is uncomfortable any other way. At least you know what situations are making her uncomfortable and can adjust to it, and apply some training. Please keep us updated!
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Post by jennc10 on Jan 20, 2013 21:47:24 GMT -5
That may very well be her way of communicating but it is still unacceptable because I can't have a growling dog in my home with a 4 month old infant. We already love her but need to work this out so she doesn't feel the need to growl. I'm hoping time will solve the problem when she feels more comfortable in our home.
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Post by maryellen on Jan 21, 2013 6:46:43 GMT -5
should you express dislike at her growling (communicating) she will bypass that and go to something else... being a new dog in a new home from a shelter environment she is trying to communicate with you. do not ignore it. is she growling at the baby or at your mother?
when people bring dogs home from shelters they expect them to be perfect dogs and to know all the rules- its not fair to the dog for the human to expect this of them.
she needs to settle in, not have free reign in the house, and to be taught what the rules are and for the humans to take their TIME and PATIENCE teaching her this.
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Post by maryellen on Jan 21, 2013 6:47:31 GMT -5
i would also do the 2 week shutdown as well, so far you have taken her to too many places and given her too much freedom
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 21, 2013 8:19:51 GMT -5
*cough* toolate *cough* ROFL Thanks Dave, at least I tried.  |
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Post by RealPitBull on Jan 21, 2013 8:23:31 GMT -5
We have now all deducted that Lexi growling is a fear mechanism. My mom has now been here for 2 full days and Lexi hasn't growled at her at all today and even comes up to her like our other dogs do. We have 2 other dogs in the house & she is EXTREMELY passive to both of them. I called the animal shelter and talked to them about checking with the people that had her before us to see if they had any problems with her. Lexi has NEVER shown any aggression to us and we pass Wylie over her because a friend of ours that has pits explained that will help the dog know the baby is dominant to her. Anytime Lexi growled at my mom she turned right around & walked the other way. She never onced showed teeth or tried to go after mom which gives me hope that she is just nervous having other people in our house that she's stii adjusting to. Eek, whoever told you to pass the baby over her so she learns the baby is "dominant" gave you some bad/potentially dangerous advice. Aggression IS usually fear-motivated, and perhaps this dog has never been around babies before - so she is nervous about the presence of the baby. Lexi is just going to be made more fearful if you start using the baby as a "tool" to show dominance. This could result in MORE aggression. |
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Post by michele5611 on Jan 21, 2013 9:50:38 GMT -5
Weclome to the forum and congrats on your new addition.
I don't have much to add to the already good, sound advice you have been given. The one thing I will stress is the danger of passing the baby over the dog. Even if you assume or agree that this proves “dominance” what happens in the meantime until the dog “understands” that she should not try to nip/growl because the baby is dominant over her?
I would also encourage you to look at the training section and be sure to post a picture Lexi!
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Post by megan on Jan 21, 2013 11:37:15 GMT -5
Jenn, it definitely sounds like Lexi is showing some fear or anxiety with all the transitions. And I understand not being able to have a growling dog in your home with your 4 month old, but just keep in mind, if she's anxious or afraid, any sort of punishment (yelling or even shaking a finger at her to let her know she's wrong) could make her MORE afraid.
Your goal here is to make her less afraid by making experiences more positive for her. Right now, a stranger in the house is scary, which is understandable. Remember, her entire world was just turned upside down so she's still adjusting!
Definitely check out the training section for more suggestions. Just remember, take things slow and make her experiences positive so she feels better. If you help her feel better about what's going on, she'll be less afraid and less likely to growl. But like others have said, definitely don't punish her for growling, a growl is just the only way she knows how to say, "I'm uncomfortable!"
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I look forward to learning much here