Natashja

I want to try and manage the situation so I don’t end up putting either my child at risk or needing to give them an ultimatum. No one wins with either option unfortunately. Everything you have said is fair and logical, I need strategies for dealing with what unfortunately is an emotional issue as much as a practical one.

I agree! He had a crate - my parents refused to use it when the dog went to live with them and in the intervening years got rid of it. I’m afraid there’s no winning that battle

North Shore

I thought it could be ears or vision too but the vet checked both and they are in tip top form (although there is some nuclear sclerosis). I didn’t realise there are canine geriatric specialists. Any recommendations for someone in Sydney?

It’s been about 10 years since I last posted on DOL. My formerly young Mini Poodle has now become an elder gentleman and for the last decade has lived with my parents (we moved overseas and couldn’t take him). While for the most part he’s now a spritely 12.5 year old there have been some concerning changes in behaviour that recently resulted in him baring teeth and growling at my 2 year old nephew, and on Tuesday snapping at both my 4 year old daughter and then later at me. While he’s always been a dominant personality, the growling and snapping is entirely out of character for him. When he snapped at my daughter it was completely unprovoked and there had been no cues from him that he was anxious, uncomfortable or being threatened in any way. My daughter was standing still, was quiet and calm - it was literally out of the blue. He lunged and snapped at me when I removed him from the room (told him to leave, then used my voice and body to get him to go), and reached down to touch his collar when we were in a different part of the house. Anyway, I’m just back from the vet who has done bloods, noticed some arthritis in his mid and lower back and in his left hip. He’s been put on weekly injections for the next month as well as glucosamine and chondritin supplements. I’m hoping that this may offer some arthritis relief but I’m concerned it won’t improve his behaviour. The big issue is that the dog lives with and is for all intents and purposes now my parent’s dog. They’re in their 70s and it’s going to be an uphill battle to get them to work with a behaviourist. They treat the dog like a child and I believe this has something to do with the shift in behaviour. My biggest concern is that if this thing isn’t nipped in the bud (pardon the pun) the dog could wind up hurting someone. For now I’ve insisted that the dog be physically separated from any of the grandchildren when they visit (ie. if they’re inside, he’s outside or locked in the other side of the house) and that he is not walked anywhere that there are people. I wondered if any of you have had to go through a similar thing? How did you deal with it? Is there a sensitive behaviourist who has worked with older/elderly human and dog clients who could do a home visit? 12 years ago Steve at K9 Pro was an enormous help to me and I liked his style but I’m not sure how receptive my folks might be. Apologies for the long post and thanks for any advice or recommendations. I’m absolutely besides myself!

I crate him at night, I crate him when he's over excited and doing zoomies in the house and knocking stuff over, I crate him when I want some intimate time with a human being - you know, the usual crating stuff. He's not crated while I'm out of the house (ie. like when I'm on a date). We had been home maybe 5 minutes and chatting in my hallway before my suitor went in for the kiss. Chomsky had already bounced all over him and given him the Poodle seal of approval, which is why him going ferral really shocked me.

I wasn't anxious. Trust me.

Rachelle, shame on you, you're a great, big, dirrrrrrty perve.

Really? He's never done ANYTHING like this before, never exhibited any kind of behaviour that would indicate he's in charge. We practise NILIF at home as directed by K9 Force in addition to TOT...

I'm worried about the behaviour for a couple of reasons: 1) that we might have a pack issue 2) that my dog could turn into a massive pain in the arse and actually prevent me from having a new relationship with someone 3) that if things get more physical, the dog could seriously hurt someone. I'm glad some of you are taking pleasure in all of this

Thanks guys! I thought it might have something to do with the dog misinterpreting human intimacy as agression - I guess to him I might have looked like I was "pinned". The weird thing is that he has never, ever been the "protective" type. I'm top dog and he leaves me to make those decisions. So is this latest behavioural problem a sign of pack issues?

Lol, this is getting a little more personal than I would have liked, but well...I brought it up, so here goes: We've never really cuddled or anything before. Have only been out on a few dates with the guy and this is the first time he's gone to kiss me. My back was against the wall, he had one hand aganst the wall next to my head, his other hand kind of cupping my cheek. Excuse me while I slink off to die of embarrassment.

He's met the guy twice and we've had no problem whatsoever. This is the first time since I've split from my ex that anyone has gone to kiss me.

My partner and I separated at the very start of this year and I kept the dog - a one year old desexed male Mini Poodle. And while there was a change in routine of the household, the pack heirarchy (to the very best of my knowledge) has remained the same - me at the top, then any other humans (in this case, visitors), and then the dog. Without wishing to get too personal, I have been on a couple of dates and the dog has been fine when the respective suitors have picked me up or dropped me home - no barking, no agression, no wariness. Anyway, I came home from a date last night and while standing in the entry hallway of my house, my suitor went to kiss me. It was at this point that the dog went completely ferral - lips curled back, teeth bared, barking, agressive body stance. Needless to say, the moment was ruined and I had to get the bloke out of the house before someone got hurt. So to all the behaviourists out there, have you got any ideas on what this is all about? Was he guarding/protecting me? The dog had seen my ex kiss me a million times so while I understand that one of the "players" is new, the activity itself isn't. How do I ensure it doesn't happen again (I don't want to have to crate him or put him in another room any time I have someone over)? Thanks so much for your help!

As the irrepresible force of nature undoubtedly wreaks grief within your family, may you come together to find strength in Kiah's courage, courage in her conviction and conviction in her memory.