Shocked... Lola went for me last night

samuela66

Hi

Ive been on here and spoke about my Lola a couple of times, but last night she shocked me, I was getting ready to go to bed and I said the usual " come on go for pee pee" and I went towards her, well she growled I was shocked, then she ran under the table, I leaned under and said come on, and she really went for me twice teeth and all..............why would she do this?
She is a shih tzu about 2 years old, Im really really shocked by her behaviour

thanks
sam

Person_one

Is she injured or in any pain? Have there been a lot of fireworks near you that might have her on edge.

All I can tell from your post is that she objected twice when you moved in towards her, possibly invading her personal space or displaying threatening body language without meaning to.

What was different than usual, you, her, the situation?

samuela66

Hi Person One,

Nothing different at all I would say, there has hardly been any noise from fireworks near us at all, she heard one and barked like she would if someone knocked at the door.

She had an upset tum a couple of days ago, and has been going along on her bum on the carpet (if that makes sense) I am about to make an appointment at the vets over that.

Normally if she is sleep on the couch and you move her she gives a little growl, one that makes you laugh, but this is not her at all, I just cannot believe it!

thanks
sam

lovely-cup-of-tea

Hi samuela, it sounds as if she needs worming and might be in a bit of discomfort. The vet should sort her out though. Good luck.

samuela66

lovely-cup-of-tea wrote: »

Hi samuela, it sounds as if she needs worming and might be in a bit of discomfort. The vet should sort her out though. Good luck.

I have given her worming tabs not too long back, is that what the bum walk means, could it be anything else?
thanks

chris_n_tj

Scooting could mean her anal glands might need empting x

Addiscomber

We had a cairn terrier when I was a child. She skated along on her bum once, and that IIRC was some sort of gland trouble. I second the suggestion that Lola is in pain/discomfort. May be passing urine hurts?

Person_one

samuela66 wrote: »

I have given her worming tabs not too long back, is that what the bum walk means, could it be anything else?
thanks

Don't lunge over her suddenly! It sounds like you scared her to be honest. Maybe a book about dog behaviour and body language would help?

Anyone have a recommendation?

krlyr

Lili Chin does a good series of illustrations on dog body language, can't link at the mo but Google should find them.

Growling is doggy language for "I'm uncomfortable, please back off". As this was ignored (albeit unintentionally), she progressed to the next step, air snapping. It is actually a positive thing to see a dog follow the scale, as such, of warnings - far better than no warnings and then jumping straight to an intentional bite.

A vet check is definately the way forward given her behaviour. Do recognise that the visit may be scary for her too so you will need to be prepared for her being stressed further - read up on trigger stacking for more information.

samuela66

Person_one wrote: »

Don't lunge over her suddenly! It sounds like you scared her to be honest. Maybe a book about dog behaviour and body language would help?

Anyone have a recommendation?

She is normally a complete snuggle pet, thats why I am shocked by her outburst, she lays across my knee all night long, little narky knickers!

ripplyuk

Obviously it's important to get the vet to check her in case she's in any discomfort but the clue is when you say she'll give a little growl sometimes when you try and move her from the sofa. I would contact a qualified dog behaviourist asap as this behaviour really only tends to escalate. If nothing changes, soon she may challenge you every time you ask her to do something that she doesn't want to. Also, make sure she is getting lots of exercise as increasing the exercise almost always helps with this type of behaviour problem.