BonnieLass
Registered: 02/28/09
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #1 |
My family adopted Bonnie from a shelter 2 weeks ago. I realize she still is going through an adjustment phase. She is a wonderfully sweet 5 yr old Lab/Beagle (?) mix and does well with responding to her name - coming when called, working on heeling when going out for a walk, gentle when taking treats out of your hand, doesn't jump all over you when you get home - and has done wonders in not antagonizing our rabbit in her cage...totally ignores her now. Very pleased with that.
We took about 20 minutes visiting with her in the shelter, asking questions of the staff as to her background and felt that she would make a good match. They said that she had been with a lady that had 5 kids. Our family consists of 20 month old daughter, 8 yr old daughter and 11 yr old son - and baby hopefully on the way end of this year.
Our main concern is that she wants to be dominant over the kids and has snapped at them a few times. She hasn't been bristling and snarling when she's snapped at them, it seems more like Bonnie is saying "hey you whipper snapper, I'm the boss here, you need to back off!" Like the kids are competition. It's been a pinch mainly when they have invaded her space and once when she was guarding a bone we gave her. She doesn't guard her food dish though...you can get in there no problem -and, an adult -we haven't let the kids - can take the bone away without any retaliation -- I won't say there's no resentment at it being taken away. We want to address this immediately so that a pinch doesn't escalate to a full bite and a trip to the ER.
Our vet has recommended we not trust her for the next month as we learn about her. She has recommended that we return her to the shelter if she doesn't respond. If we have to go that route, we plan to find her a home without young children rather than send her back to the shelter...the one we got her from said that animals that come in with a history of biting get put down right away and I don't think that's necessary with Bonnie - maybe she just needs a home without children in it. Very good and loving dog despite this one vice...one that needs addressed
We plan to get her enrolled in obedience training immediately as a start.
ANY ADVICE?
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queenofhearts
Registered: 07/10/09
Posts: 7
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I honestly think you should take him back to the shelter or find someone without kids and who is highly trained in dealing with rescues. This could be a scary situation despite your best intentions. Sometimes when it wont work out it just doesn't work out. So I think you're on the right track as to what to do.
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