Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Advice needed...please don't judge.
We adopted our shephard mix from a rescue almost 3 years ago. We did not know until we took her to the vet that she was only about 4 weeks old and was obviously weaned way too young. She definitely has anxiety issues and recently her guarding has become more intense. I have a 21 month old DD and she has snapped at her because there was a piece of food on the floor, She has also snapped at DH and I when she thinks we are going to take something she wants. I am SO nervous about her around DD now that we keep her upstairs when DD is awake. I just do not trust them together.
I called a trainer and he said he could work with her but I am so confused and going back and forth about it. I am worried that I will still have this fear that something could happen. I definitely do not want to rehome her but I couldn't live with myself if something happened to DD.
What would you do? Please be honest.
Re: Advice needed...please don't judge.
Have you tried contacting a behaviorist instead or in conjunction with a trainer?
Is the snapping a "new development"? If so, there could be something else causing the change in behavior - a behaviorist could def. help you pin point the cause of her snapping more than a trainer. They would also give you plenty of options to help correct the behavior, more so than a trainer.
The trainer I contacted is also a certified behaviorist. I would say that the snapping is not really new but it seems to be happening more frequently. If it was just DH and I, I wouldn't be as concerned.
To me, it sounds like you're on the right track to finding a solution. However, there are lots more people on the board who know MUCH more than I - hopefully they'll respond, too!
Have you tried looking for books that might give some insight? Unfortunately I don't know any off hand but it might be worth looking on Amazon.com for some or going to the library to see what they might have.
A behaviorist is a good route.
I would keep the dog separated from the baby during meal times. Wait until you have swept and cleaned up before letting the dog out. Nothing is 100%, which is why you are good to consult with a professional, but at least you can alleviate any stress in the mean time, the best you can.
Great to see the person you've already contacted is a behaviorist too. Definitely work with them and keep them apart when necessary in the mean time as Punky suggests. As for books as someone mentioned, I believe I have seen this one recommended on here before:
http://www.amazon.com/Mine-Practical-Guide-Resource-Guarding/dp/0970562942
I have a LO too so I understand your nervousness, but so often this can be fixed so please give you dog a chance. It will probably involve hard work and consistency, but in the big picture, this is just one hurdle in the life of your dog. You can get through this and have a long happy life together as a family
)
We dealt with some resource guarding with our dog right after we adopted him. He snapped at our cats when they came too close to his bowl while he was eating, and he growled at us when we walked by.
With the help of a professional, I can now take his food bowl from him without a reaction. Both dogs can eat within 5 feet of each other with no problem.
Work with a professional. Be patient. It will not be an overnight fix, but many dogs have overcome resource guarding issues. She's not broken; she just needs guidance.
In the meantime, I would keep food out of the equation when she and your DD are anywhere near each other. And be sure your daughter knows to leave anything that belongs to the dog alone.
We are teaching our dogs to sit in the living room during mealtime, and we making a point to eat at the dining table. We are also working on them staying in the living room while we are preparing food. Knowing we are starting a human family soon, we want to prevent as many problems as possible.
Mine! is a good read about resource guarding dogs. I think it's $10 on Amazon. And Patricia McConnell has some good books about canine anxiety.