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older dog growling at kids







patjercoltyl
New User

Mar 16, 2004, 11:42 AM

Post #1 of 5 (1636 views)
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older dog growling at kids Can't Post

Hi! my name is patricia and i have a black lab cross. i just joined and i must say it is wonderful. we rescued our black lab from the highway 8 years ago. he has been the best companion. he was about 6 months when we got him. He had frostbite on his ears and paws. Not much fur left around his neck ( probably from a tight collar). we do not know much about his past except that he probably was tied up to a chain outside. He had never been in a house when we brought him home. Our american eskimo became his buddy. we lost her two years ago. for about six months now, he has been growling at our 2 kids. We never had that problem before. we are extremely careful to make sure our kids are very good with the dog. Hi is on arthritis and thyroid medicine. It seems to help but he looks so unhappyFrown. Our vet suspects that he is in some degree of pain which would explain his growling. I have been keeping up with his obedience training and our daily walks. I am home with him and i give him lots of love and attention. i don't know if he miss our other dog but he looks so lonelyUnsure. Would another dog help or make it worst? any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. PatSmile


surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Mar 18, 2004, 2:54 AM

Post #2 of 5 (1620 views)
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Re: [patjercoltyl] older dog growling at kids [In reply to] Can't Post

Hi ...

Your Lab mix is nearly 9 years old with arthritis ... Your vet is probably very correct and it's likely that your Labbie is in some pain, and a little grumpier with the kids than normal ...

Actually, under these circumstances, a growling dog is good ... your dog is giving warning and cautioning the kids ... and this is way preferable to a nervous dog that bites without warning ...

Personally - I believe that dogs do miss their companions & owners ... Have seen it happen many times, so - anthropomorphic or otherwise, I believe it to be so ... Smile ...

Should you take on a new dog? ...

Well ... just some thoughts ... before you make your decision ...

(A) As matters stand ... depending on the ages of your children ... it is possible that your Lab grumbles when the kids try to play with him ... and in that process inadvertently cause him discomfort or pain ...

With arthritis - roll & tumble games can cause pain. If you get another pup or young dog, then expect the young dog to play much the same way ... young dogs are active and love tumble games ...

Question: Will that cause even more irritation to or problems for your older Labbie? ... Will you be there to supervise their play? ...

(B) Whether you bring in a young dog or older dog ... At some point, your Lab will have to go through the whole process of establishing his position within the family vis-a-vis the new dog.

If one dog submits easily to the other, then probably - all will be well and fine ... But if they don't submit easily ... then how?...

Question: Would you wish, to have your Lab faced with such challenge to his position within the family ... at this time in his life, when he is also trying to deal with the pain in his bones?

I guess you need to weigh all the above, against the promise that when all things settle down, your Lab will have a new friend to keep him company.

Much will depend on your Lab's own temperament & how well socialised he is ... It will depend on how well your Lab reacts to new pups and new dogs ... You need to assess, given your Lab's temperament, how easy or difficult it might be to introduce a new addition to the family ...

If your Lab does not take well or easily to new dogs ... then I would certainly have a long hard think ...

As owner, friend and companion - you will know your Lab, and you are the best person to consider all the above and make the wise decision ... Smile ... Would your faithful Labbie like a new dog friend? Or would he prefer to spend his days in the sun ... resting with his family ... the centre of attention?

If you do decide to get a new dog ... perhaps a female would be best ... females more likely to be less dominant, and hopefully the female will find her place within the family without too much disruption ...

If you are thinking of a pure breed, then select a mild tempered breed (another Lab springs to mind Tongue) ... from lines with good known sound & gentle temperament ...

If selecting from the shelter, try and test temperament before bringing the new dog home ... If not sure how to test, speak to the people at the shelter and tell them the kind of dog you are looking for and your circumstances at home ... am sure someone will help.

You might also like to check this forum for threads on how to "introduce a new dog into your home" ... There are good and not so good ways to do this ...

And I am sure that in the meantime ... you have already explained to your children that the Labbie is getting on ... and they have to be more gentle with him ... and that they should also be a little more careful around the old boy ... Just to be aware and acknowledge when the Labbie is not in the mood for play ...

All the best Smile


patjercoltyl
New User

Mar 19, 2004, 7:34 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1606 views)
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Re: [surchinmy] older dog growling at kids [In reply to] Can't Post

Thank you so much for your reply! unfortunately, my lab was put to sleep yesterday. He was full of cancer which spread really fast. He also suffered a seizure. With his arthritis, the poor dog was in a lot of pain. This is my third animal i lose and i must say this is the most difficult decision i have ever made. There was not much we could do. So we made the decision and i let him go in peace. I stayed with Max although everyone advised me not to. I could not let him go alone. The guilt you feel after is overwhelming. Part of me does not want another dog so i don't have to go trough this again and part of me wants another one now. I am sure with time, everything will get better but for now, i miss not having any room in my bed ( Max was 90 lbs ). Thanks again for responding to me. I'll keep you updated in case i rescue another little bundle of love!


surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA

Mar 19, 2004, 8:20 AM

Post #4 of 5 (1603 views)
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Re: [patjercoltyl] older dog growling at kids [In reply to] Can't Post

Aaagh ... I am so sorry ...

I am so sure Max knew you were with him all the time ... and I am sure too, that is what he wanted ...

Safe journey Max ... blue skies always ...


The Rainbow Bridge

"... When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers. Suddenly they begin to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together ... "


- author unknown -





jooann
Enthusiast


Mar 19, 2004, 5:35 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1598 views)
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Re: [patjercoltyl, surchinmy] older dog growling at kids [In reply to] Can't Post

Oh dear... i'm so sorry to hear about your loss.... My sincere condolences Unsure

'Rainbow bridge' is beautiful.... made me cry just reading it!!

Tongue Joo Ann N Sushi

 
 




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