New dog - and a question re. children

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Lea789

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I could really do with some advice from you experienced dog people!
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We adopted a rescue dog (today!). She's lovely, a cross breed, medium height (will try and put some photos up later). She was a stray and has been in the rescue place for a couple of month. She has really taken to our daughter (8) and loves to play with her, cuddle up to her etc. However, she has growled a few times at our son (2).
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Is this a case of her trying to establish a pecking order? With him being smaller, does she consider him a puppy and tries to put him in his place when he gets too close? Is there anything we can do?

I would hate to have to take her back, but of course I don't want her to snap at our son either!
 
Does she have a crate she can go to when things get too much?
I'd watch her very closely interacting with the kids and maybe
pop a muzzle on until you are sure she's ok.
She shouldn't be growling to sort out pack order, she is bottom and thats where she should stay.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you all.
 
Its nothing to do with trying to sort out the pecking order. It can take a while for a rescue dog to settle into new surroundings. Imagine how daughting the world must be for her being in a home, on the streets, in another home and another home again.

The growling is an indication that she is not comfortable with the situation, so she is communicating the only way she knows how to. This is a way of increasing the distance between herself and whatever is making her uncomfortable. Its part of the freeze, flight or fight instinct. Some dogs go straight into fight where they bite straight away. Some dogs will run and get out the way. A dog can display all when they are trapped in a corner. She has also probably given other signals prior to growling like freezing for a second and going statue like.

There are loads of other signals that dogs give when they are stressed. Yawning is one.

Think about the situation when your dog growled. What was happening, what was the dog doing prior, what was your son doing at the time?

Some dogs are not used to really young children. Younger children move around quite fast, they make fast uncontrolled movements which can alarm a dog if they have not been exposed them before. Younger children also make high pitched noises when they are excited or upset. This can make dogs re-act. There is a theory that the noises younger children make are similar to the noise an animal makes when it is caught as prey.

Dont be frightened by this, I watch my dog around young children as he has not had much contact with them so is not used to their mannerisims. But I do know the signs when he is uncomfortable and I am able to take control of the situation. I feel that if you can understand why your dog does something it can make it easier to manage.

If you have a quite area for her to go to, a crate would be ideal if you have one(its like a den for them) you dont have to lock her in it (except when you are unable to supervise her) but somewhere she can go when she wants some time out. Explain to the kids that that is her space and if she goes to it they are to leave her alone and not pester her.

Can the rescue offer any advice as they would know more about her personality? While she is settleing in I would try to keep all interaction as calm as possible (not easy with children I know). Its so easy when you have a new addition to give it loads of attention, especially if a rescue as you feel that you have to make up for what they may missed attention wise. I would just give her a few days to get bearings and let her settle.

Sorry its a bit long, hope it helps
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Agree with the above...I would give her a little time....very small children can seem alien to the most confident of dogs...let alone a one with un-known background.

She needs to know that it's not acceptable to show this type of behaviour....and only you as the adult and leader can enforce this.

As time goes by she will learn to be confident and learn to respect you/commands given, thus making it easier for you to control the situation.
Try and create a positive atmosphere when she is around your youngest....like when he is quiet/asleep..lol....or some family play in the garden.....so she can interact with the family and your little one on a positive basis.

Crate is a good idea....for so for the kids...it;s alot harder to control over excitable kids than dog at times
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so it does indeed give the dog time out.
 
Thanks gallop-on, that's been really helpful! It must be very disorientating for her, and I'm wondering if some of it is to do with a sense of insecurity? She really needs to find her place - literally and metaphorically.

I'll watch her closely so I can get to know her signals / body language better. She has been fine with him when we were outside with her, he could stroke her etc. without any problems. (And he really was surprisingly gentle with her!) The times she has growled at him was, I think, when she wanted her own space and to be left in peace. (Heck, I often feel like growling at him in those sort of situations!) This evening she even growled at our daughter when she just wanted to sleep. Of course the kids are quite excited about her at the moment, and therefore find it more difficult to respect her need to be left alone.

It's quite possible that she isn't used to younger children, or that she had bad experiences with them. What you said about the high pitched noises children make is interesting, and makes sense! Our son really has been quite calm and gentle with her, but his voice is still quite a bit higher than that of adults / older children.

A crate does sound like a good idea - somewhere where she can go when she wants to be left in peace. (Maybe I can join her there.)

Thanks!
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Thanks Cala, very helpful!
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Yes, small children must seem like aliens to dogs - I sometimes feel like that about them!
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We'll make sure that we make it clear to her that growling at them is unacceptable. She seems to be fine with him when we're all around and playing together, we'll try and make the most of that!

A crate definitely seems to be the way to go. If not for the dog, then maybe for the child.
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Or, even better, maybe I'll take residence in it, with a good book and some ear plugs. Peace at last.
 
She probably feels more comfortable interacting with the children outside. She has the space to move away if she feels the need. Does the growling only happen inside? This is probably when she feels restricted. At least she is letting you know by growling. I am not saying that it is acceptable and it is an issue that must tackled. It is very early days for this girl and its a lot for her to take in. Its very exhausting for her. Hell, I get a bit irritable when Im tired (and when Im hungry
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You seem to be very understanding and happy to see things from her perspective. Its good that you are considering the crate. This needs to introduced over a period of time, by making it cosy and adding some treats you will find that she will go in and explore. She might very well just go out again the first few times but you will find that she gradully will start to settle in it when she knows it is hers. When she is really happy in there you can start closing the door over a few times then shutting it altogether for short periods of time. then just opeing the door in a matter of fact way.

Again, sorry its a bit long. I do get carried away
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