Shocked... Lola went for me last night

ripplyuk

It's clear you care about her. You wouldn't be asking for advice if you didn't and you're giving her a better life. Different people have very different opinions about dog training/behaviour, especially on this forum! I've worked with lots of dogs and the best advice I can give you here is not to think of her as a little human. They have very different needs and it doesn't make them happy or secure. A good routine helps. Keep her busy, her mind too. A tired dog is a happy dog! Also, I agree that she should never be physically punished for showing her teeth or snarling. Some people do that instinctively and it will just escalate the behaviour. If she growls when you want to move her off the sofa, keep a light lead on her and use that. She must move, but don't shout at her. If you don't already, make sure she has a quiet place of her own to go to where no one will bother her.

samuela66

ripplyuk wrote: »

It's clear you care about her. You wouldn't be asking for advice if you didn't and you're giving her a better life. Different people have very different opinions about dog training/behaviour, especially on this forum! I've worked with lots of dogs and the best advice I can give you here is not to think of her as a little human. They have very different needs and it doesn't make them happy or secure. A good routine helps. Keep her busy, her mind too. A tired dog is a happy dog! Also, I agree that she should never be physically punished for showing her teeth or snarling. Some people do that instinctively and it will just escalate the behaviour. If she growls when you want to move her off the sofa, keep a light lead on her and use that. She must move, but don't shout at her. If you don't already, make sure she has a quiet place of her own to go to where no one will bother her.

Ripply

I love her to bits and you are right I should not treat her like a human, she does have a good routine, two good walks a day, lots of dog toys and the hide??? bones she chews them all the time spends hours until it has gone, she has her own bed and blanket in it, and when I am going to bed I say go bobbies, and she nips right in and settles down, the reason I say I laugh when she growls, is because I am going to bed and give her a little nudge to let her know and it is as if she is telling me to s*d off with this teensy little growl.

thanks

samuela66

meritaten wrote: »

I am thinking blocked anal glands too - its really uncomfortable (or maybe painful) for a dog. easy to sort out too. the vet can do it, and my lovely vet showed me how to do it, as my springer was getting them quite often. saved me a fortune in vets fees!
I also echo that its quite good you were given clear warnings but not actually bitten - means the dog wanted you to back off but wasn't willing to hurt you.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOh is it not a yukky thing to do, does it involve going into the bottom??? I wonder what this little treat (not for Lola) will cost me:o

meritaten

yes, it is a bit yucky - but when you see the vet bill, you may think its worth learning!
and not all vets would be like my old vet - willing to teach you in order for YOU to save money! She was one in a million!

krlyr

Anal glands can also get infected or even burst - so it can be a pretty painful condition.

ripplyuk

samuela66 wrote: »

Ripply

I love her to bits and you are right I should not treat her like a human, she does have a good routine, two good walks a day, lots of dog toys and the hide??? bones she chews them all the time spends hours until it has gone, she has her own bed and blanket in it, and when I am going to bed I say go bobbies, and she nips right in and settles down, the reason I say I laugh when she growls, is because I am going to bed and give her a little nudge to let her know and it is as if she is telling me to s*d off with this teensy little growl.

thanks

That's thinking like she's a human! It sounds like you have a good routine with her, as long as she is actually tired after her walks. The vet needs to show you how to express her glands. It can be tricky in some dogs but basically involves squeezing around the outside of her bottom. Do speak to them about her behaviour too. They'll have behaviourists on their books in your area.

meritaten

I hesitate to post about emptying anal glands (TMI for some people), but no you do not need to stick your fingers 'inside' the bottom. The technique isn't difficult to learn but Cleanliness is paramount! and the smell isn't nice either! and I found that although my dog was amenable to the vet doing it - she wasn't happy with me! it took my OH to hold her still while I 'did the business end'!

zaksmum

I'd be horrified if my dogs ever went for me. It just would not happen. Ever.

I treat them with respect but if they were asleep, eating, whatever - and I disturbed them - they would absolutely NEVER go for me.

I'd never have a situation where, if I woke them up and startled them, they'd growl at me and I'd laugh! I can't believe anyone would.

krlyr

zaksmum wrote: »

I'd be horrified if my dogs ever went for me. It just would not happen. Ever.

I treat them with respect but if they were asleep, eating, whatever - and I disturbed them - they would absolutely NEVER go for me.

I'd never have a situation where, if I woke them up and startled them, they'd growl at me and I'd laugh! I can't believe anyone would.

You really can't say a dog would never react that way. They are living creatures, their actions aren't always 100% predictable. Pain, illness, disorientation etc. can all cause unpredictable or out of the norm behaviour. It's worth remembering that, and doing all we can to avoid putting a dog in the situation where they may feel the need to protect or defend themselves whenever possible.

I wouldn't find it funny, but I wouldn't be horrified either - I would look at what I'd done to potentially cause the behaviour, or look at the dog to see what may have contributed to the issue (so vet check, analysis of body language, etc.)

zaksmum

krlyr wrote: »

You really can't say a dog would never react that way. They are living creatures, their actions aren't always 100% predictable. Pain, illness, disorientation etc. can all cause unpredictable or out of the norm behaviour. It's worth remembering that, and doing all we can to avoid putting a dog in the situation where they may feel the need to protect or defend themselves whenever possible.

I wouldn't find it funny, but I wouldn't be horrified either - I would look at what I'd done to potentially cause the behaviour, or look at the dog to see what may have contributed to the issue (so vet check, analysis of body language, etc.)

Mine would be 100% predictable.

They would NEVER go for me.