On Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:17:14 +0000, Suebee
wrote:

I hope someone can help me.

Our dog was adopted at about 1 year - he was raised with his litter
until 10 months, then had 2 owners in a month - no idea what happened,
and then we got him. Quiet but not really shy - terrier mix, whippet
personality, shakes when nervous, hides behind us when its new but then
comes out to sniff and say hi (maybe apprehensive but not shy?). It
took about a year before he would approach men but always great with
women, kids, other dogs. Never aggressive.

Fast forward and now he is 6 years old. He now barks when strangers
approach the yard but nothing bad. My husband has been deployed a month
which I know is a contributing factor, but the dog bit a child who's
family was watching him last week. They said the dog was sleeping while
the boy and his own dog rough-housed. My dog woke up and bit the child.

Maybe. And maybe not.

At first I thought, surely my dog had to be provoked or bumped or
something to cause him to snap since he is so quiet and doesnt snap
unless my husband is playing with him - and then its play!

Today (9 days later after the bite) we are home now 4 days and there are
new kids living behind us. They were over all day playing and the dog
was aware they were here...had met them etc. The kids had to go home
and hopped back over the fence but stuck their hands through to pet my
dog before bed. My dog SNAPPED at one of them!

According to whom?

I flash back now to an incident two years ago when someone was watching
my dog when he snapped at a 4 year old....but this time it was because
the child yanked his ears....so we all forgot about it and moved on.
Even the people watching him then said he was totally provoked.

SO I am destroyed over this. I know my dog must be upset that my
husband has been gone for so long but I dont know what to do about it.

First, don't let others "watch" your dog, especially anyone with small
children. Second, don't allow him out in the yard when kids are
around. Third, tell the kids that they are no longer allowed to play
with your dog.

You said that your dog is the "quiet" type? Then don't force him to
interact with others, especially kids.

We usually leave our dog outside when we are at the store

Don't do that anymore. Leave your dog inside the house.

and he is in
and out all day. I am afraid the kids are going to come to the fence
when I am not home!

Which is why you should lock him up inside your house when you're
going to be away for short periods of time.

Incidentally, the health dept has to come over tomorrow to make sure my
dog doesnt have rabies...and to make sure he isnt dangerous. Of course
I am worried about THAT now.

Based on your dog's history, your dog was almost certainly not
Socialized properly as a puppy, and that always has consequences.
That, plus a bit of fear-based aggression, makes for dangerous
situations. Situations just like the ones you've described.

If you don't know what I mean by Socialized, google "puppy
socialization".

Anyone have experience with new aggressions? Or when the owner is away?
I have two kids and the dog has ALWAYS been extraordinary gentle with
us...my husband is the one who really gets him playing/wrestling etc.

Your dog is probably okay with your own children, and your family, but
I think it's time to be very, very careful with strangers, especially
small children, and especially when you can't be there to supervise.

He can still be a fine companion dog for your family, but you're going
to have to do more to keep him out of situations where he's likely to
fail. And some good obedience training, whether from a private trainer
or a group class, will do wonders for your dog's confidence, and
yours, too.

And thanks for rescuing him! Don't be like his two previous owners
and give up on him now; just make some simple changes in your
lifestyle and start managing him more carefully.

--
Dogman