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Sweet Dog... except w/ kids ... Why?
We have an 11 yr old, neutered miniature schnauzer. He's a big baby and
loves everyone... except kids. For some reason he transforms from a lovable furball into an aggressive, biting "mean dog" in the presence of kids under about the age of 12. We cannot account for it. It's embarrassing and even more than a little worrisome. For the longest time, I thought he was just wanting to play with them like he does with anyone else he sees. But he really does want to bite them, and has in fact nipped at the daughter of a friend of ours who knows to dog well. What is it about kids that has this effect on him that adults do not? And what can we do about it? BTW: He's already on amyltriptoline (probably spelled wrong) for "separation anxiety", so we'd rather not medicate him more than necessary. |
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"Joshua" wrote in message et... We have an 11 yr old, neutered miniature schnauzer. He's a big baby and loves everyone... except kids. For some reason he transforms from a lovable furball into an aggressive, biting "mean dog" in the presence of kids under about the age of 12. We cannot account for it. It's embarrassing and even more than a little worrisome. For the longest time, I thought he was just wanting to play with them like he does with anyone else he sees. But he really does want to bite them, and has in fact nipped at the daughter of a friend of ours who knows to dog well. What is it about kids that has this effect on him that adults do not? And what can we do about it? I could be due to a number of reasons but the most likely is that he hasn't had proper exposure to them and is frightened of them. Kids move, talk and act very differently to adults which is why it is advised that you socialise your dog with as many different types of people, of all ages and wearing all sorts of 'funny' things, like hats, glasses, flappy skirts etc. It won't be so easy to change his behaviour at this age, it will take lots and lots of patience as there is no quick fix for de-sensitisation ~ and gradual de-sensitisation will solve his separation anxiety too but given that he has the two problems I would recommend you consider a good behaviourist from a recognised organisation such as the apdt. Diana |
#3
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"Joshua" wrote in message et... We have an 11 yr old, neutered miniature schnauzer. He's a big baby and loves everyone... except kids. For some reason he transforms from a lovable furball into an aggressive, biting "mean dog" in the presence of kids under about the age of 12. We cannot account for it. It's embarrassing and even more than a little worrisome. For the longest time, I thought he was just wanting to play with them like he does with anyone else he sees. But he really does want to bite them, and has in fact nipped at the daughter of a friend of ours who knows to dog well. What is it about kids that has this effect on him that adults do not? And what can we do about it? I could be due to a number of reasons but the most likely is that he hasn't had proper exposure to them and is frightened of them. Kids move, talk and act very differently to adults which is why it is advised that you socialise your dog with as many different types of people, of all ages and wearing all sorts of 'funny' things, like hats, glasses, flappy skirts etc. It won't be so easy to change his behaviour at this age, it will take lots and lots of patience as there is no quick fix for de-sensitisation ~ and gradual de-sensitisation will solve his separation anxiety too but given that he has the two problems I would recommend you consider a good behaviourist from a recognised organisation such as the apdt. Diana |
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