Never thought I'd be asking for help on this - snapping at baby

[Steelygirl]

Didn't suggest you were dismissing it but Hannahs posts are about keeping bitey hyper pups away from children , not dealing with a dog that has snapped without provocation on more than one occasion, Hannahs posts will help she always has good advice but I was just pointing out that this situation is very different

Ah right, got the wrong end of the stick as you quoted from my reply Agree the situation is different but the management techniques (separation etc) would still be appropriate and useful here.

Definately worth reading

Am searching as we speak! I've also moved his bed from next to her bouncer to a quieter place in the room, and may bring his cage back as a safe place for him. Think the childgates maybe used a bit more too for the time being!

[Trixie780]

Guarding the chair (and you) would certainly be considered resource guarding, at least in my experience.  Tucker has gone through phases where he has seen fit to guard me, his bed, his toys, his food, the cupboard where his food is kept, etc.  Our trainer and vet feel that his guarding stems from anxiety and OCD conditions - made worse by a crazy 10 year old running around constantly.    

We know that this is something that will probably never go away completely - we have a great support team in our vet and trainer and we do our best to cover all options to make Tucker as healthy and secure as possible.  We have found that the right food (a limited ingredient diet), tons of exercise and mental stimulation, and a calm environment have done wonders for Tucker.  We can not give him certain toys or treats that are high value unless we are sure that he can enjoy them in peace.  We also know that certain environments tend to stress him out and inherently cause him to be more "guardy".  We have made mistakes but we have also worked hard to make Tucker part of our family.  

If you follow your vet's advice, work with a trainer, and teach your child from a very young age how to interact with the pup I think you will be fine.  It's not ideal, of course, having a dog with these kinds of issues however Tucker makes up for it by giving more love and affection than I've ever seen in a dog!!!  I think that, for every challenge we've faced with him, he has rewarded us two-fold.  It's worth it.  Best of luck to you and I hope all is better soon.  

[bluegirl]

My first cocker was 18mths old when I had my first child and although she didn't growl in the beginning she was less than impressed when she realised he was here to stay. She decided that she would prefer to take herself off to her bed in the kitchen rather than follow me around / sit next to me as she had always done in the past. She did growl at him once when it was our teatime. we always ate in the kitchen and although we didn't encourage begging from her she was in the same room. I had put my 4mth old in one of those bouncy cradles and brought him to the table but put him at my feet. Bonnie growled, and I believe she thought he was begging too and was pretty much telling him she would be getting first dabs on any scraps. I told her off and made a mental note that a dog sees the situation differently so I wouldn't repeat that. She was fine again after that until he started crawling and if he went passed the kitchen door she would do a low growl as if to say "bog off there's nothing in here for you, except my bed, my water and my food which you are not having". I reprimanded her again verbally and removed my son from any danger. I got that way that it was safer to shut Bonnie in the kitchen when the children were crawling or I had friends round with children and she preferred it tbh. She never did anymore than grumble and I always tried to divert situations that I could see would stress her. She continued to grumble at each of my children until they were about 3 max. I always instilled in them the need to leave the dog alone and to move away if she growled and I always followed a growl up  with a verbal reprimand. She was fine outside, and she was fine if we all went for a walk but something about the children when they were really young unsettled her. As they got older she stopped, probably because they could give commands she could understand and obey and they were no longer seen as a threat, and more of a way of getting extra food. The children never stopped loving Bonnie and thought of her with great fondness but we did have to allow her her own space so she felt safe.
Don't know if that helps, on the whole Bonnie was a gentle natured dog but she just wasn't into children like most cockers are and it took a little getting used to and adjustments had to be made to keep everyone safe.

[Jane S]

Back from the vets with lots to think about.  Vet examined and found no physical reason, until he took his temperature and it was 104.  So... the vets advice is antib's, then maybe take bloods later.  I asked (as for me getting started on a solution both physical and mental promptly is what i need) to get bloods done today. So i get results back of bloods tomorrow and he's taking antibs for the next week. 

Hope the antib's kick in soon and Fred is soon feeling more his usual self - a high temperature would certainly make him feel very off-colour and more inclined to tip him over the edge re the resource guarding. Once he's feeling better, hopefully Top Barks may be able to recommend someone in your area (Sheffield?) who could work on Fred's guarding issues with you.

[bajoleth]

Glad there did appear to be some physical reason to trigger his response, hope you will be able to get some good behavioural advice and help now, take care  Jo

[Steelygirl]

Well the vet has just rang, and it wasn't just a high temperature. Blood resukts have shown lots of stuff (I couldn't take it all in).  The one thing i did hear was Kidney and blood problem (high bilirubin) and an ALT result of 365 (normal should be 5) which means liver damage.

I have no idea what this all means, but he has to have the blood tests repeated next Friday.

I am completely devasted, even more so than when he originally snapped, as i feel like i was wishing him to be ill so we had it as an excuse as to why he snapped 

[Pop-Star]

  for you and Fred

[EmmaA]

so sorry to hear about  Fred's results 
If you are confused about what the vet was telling you I would call him back and maybe have a pen and paper ready.
Big hugs to you and Fred 

[Helen]

I'm so sorry to hear about Fred - I agree with Emma - contact the vet and explain you were a bit in shock when you spoke to him and ask him to clarify, in laymans terms, Fred's illness and what the levels mean.

When I read your thread I hoped too that there was a trigger for Fred's behaviour but I didn't want him to be ill IYSWIM   

Positive and healing thoughts being sent to lovely Fred  and a for you.

[Steelygirl]

Just called the vet back and i got it wrong, Kidneys were ok.

White blood cell count was ok too which he thought strange with how high Freds temperature was.  Its the Liver cell damage / ALT result that is the concern.

He says wait for antib's to kick in see what happens there, then more bloods tests next Friday.  Then more than likely a liver function test instead of the more invasive liver biopsy.

Will keep updating the more i know. Its making the snapping pale into insignificance now (and that doesn't make me a bad mum, Emily always comes first)  The good news is that yesterday and today he's been waggy around her (not close enough without me being in control of things) and although i will continue to be hypervigilant, i'm less worried about his behaviour than before.

[MaggieR]

 's for you and gentle squidges for Fred 
What a few days you've had    really hope the antibiotics can sort Fred out and he's back to your gentle waggy boy very soon 
xx

[*Jay*]

Poor Fred    Fingers crossed it's something that's easily treatable  

[hedgehog]

Poor Fred, I hope he is on the mend soon. He must have felt poorly hence his snapping at your little girl for all of you.

[Goggins]

 :bigarmhug:Sending You and Fred massive big cyber hugs...

I really hope the abs work and he feels better soon and doesnt need anything more invasive than blood tests done to him next week...

[cdpops]

So sorry to see you and Fred are going through such a tough time. Everything crossed that the antibiotics do the trick.