Hi everyone, this is my first post, so please bear with me!

We recently aquired a spayed Golden retriever bitch, she's three years old and perfect in nearly every way. Originally she was found as a stray and placed in a dogs home, then was rehomed, where the owner was unable to cope. She returned to the home, went to the lady where we got her from, then came to live with us. So she has a bit of history!

As I said, she is generally a good all round dog, obedient, not agressive unless she hears unfamiliar voices or noises (eg a group walking past the window chatting loudly, or a knock at the door, more making us aware rather than agression).

However, it seems she has a problem with our 1 year old son. If he tries to cuddle her, or pet her, she makes a noise similar to a growl. Its not a full on, lip curling agression noise, more a warning. However, on two occasions, she has got up to walk away, and whilst walking past turned and had a lazy snap in the air, not touching him, but while moving away. She does not seem to show this kind of reaction to our 2 year old daughter, who can drag her round the house on a lead with no problems (apart from a fed up looking doggy!).

What does everyone suggest? Ive tried talking to the previous owner, who says she never saw an problems around children, but then Willow was never around children this young. I think it might be that Willow is seeing herself as the "baby" of the family, and feels threatened in her position. What is the best way to deal with this, and is it just that she is adapting to a new situation, or just not the right dog for us?

Many thanks!

Sarah.

There have been a bunch of posts on aggression towards kids, use the search button, you will find them.

My personal opinion? Not worth it - get rid. There are 1001 dogs out there that need homes that would be wonderful with your kid at all times, why risk half of your kids face with this one? Rehome the dog in a home without kids, or better still.. one way ticket to the vet.

Use the search function-lots of excellent information on this board about your issue.

That said, I think you're mistaken about the dog's behavior. A "lazy snap" is an expression of aggression. The root of this aggression (dominance, fear, weak nerves, etc.) is not precisely clear based on the limited facts in your post. But Sammy is right-why risk it? The dog is snapping at a child-unacceptable.

The other behaviors you describe sound to me like those of an unsocialized dog, probably with weak nerves. Some of this can be corrected, and some is genetic; but Rule 1 of risk management is that you don't take any unnecessary risks. It is not necessary for you to risk the welfare of your child to own a pet or home this dog.

Place the dog in a home without kids, that has experienced dog owners in residence who can socialize the animal.

IF you choose to rehome the dog, make it VERY clear to the new owners WHY you are rehoming her. Don't just rehome her and not say anything about why. That's just dumping the problem onto someone else, and could result in someone else's child being hurt.


Also, whether you keep this dog or get another one, NEVER, EVER leave your children alone with the dog. EVER. That is the number one mistake that many parents make. They leave the room for a second, and something happens and they come back to the dog attacking the child, or a child that has just been bitten. This is the rule with ALL dogs, of ALL breeds. Never leave a dog alone with a child. Period.



If you choose to keep this dog and try to work through her problem, get assistance from a trainer that is experienced with aggression issues, and it wouldn't help if they had some kind of background in canine behavior as well. Not all trainers are behavioralists, and not all behavioralists are trainers. You should also immediately reprimand the dog for any amount of aggression or dominance towards either of the children. Ed has some good articles on this, so go to the main page at Leerburg.com and read through his articles on dominance and aggression, so you'll know what to look for and how to handle the situations.

You might also want to invest in a Jafco muzzle (a basket muzzle would allow fingers to be bitten, where that would be more difficult with the Jafco).

Good luck,
Kristen

 Quote:

Rehome the dog in a home without kids, or better still.. one way ticket to the vet.

You're an idiot and your post shows it. If you think your comment about a "one way ticket to the vet" was appropriate, you have no place offering feedback on how to work with rescued dogs.

I am a director with a Golden Retriever rescue in NE Fla. I have adopted 2 goldens through it, and have rescued, fostered, and adopted out numerous others. The problems you are describing with your Golden are not uncommon and can often be corrected with patience and consistent, FIRM corrections. Some of the info you'll find on this site will be helpful to you. I have used it myself with much success. Some info may also be a bit hard (as are some owners, obviously) and not appropriate for Goldens, especially one that you intend to keep as a pet. Goldens are dogs that live to please their owners and bring things back to them (retrieve)...they are not as intense as many of the dogs referred to on this site....IMO.

First of all, your adoption coordinator should not have adopted out an unknown history to a home with small (energetic, active, noisy, constantly on the go)kids. Owner surrenders are much more suitable for your situation, not that that matters now, but that is something to keep in mind and specify should you decide to return Willow back to the rescue (which SHOULD be part of your contract).

If you do decide to keep her, you CANNOT leave her alone with your kids (whether she appears to get along with them or not) until you get this issue straightened out, which I honestly think you will if you are willing to work with her on it. You will most likely find that it will not take very long for her to catch on, but don't let your guard down when you become comfortable and think she's "got it". Stick to it for a few months beyond that so she KNOWS you are the boss and will not put up with this behavior. As for the grumbling, she is sending your son a warning sign to "back off or else". She is most likely sensing something unpredictable in him, much the same as YOU are sensing in HER. She is doing what she needs to do to protect herself and you can't really blame her, odds are she's had a pretty crummy life so far. She's sending both you and your son signals, it is now up to you to be a responsible owner to both dog and child. And besides, you said Willow is perfect in every other way, right? So work out the aggression issue towards your son with her by correcting her when she grumbles, praise her when she is good, and be firm with her. Same with your son.

As I mentioned, this site is a valuable resource and has helped me tremendously - with training my dogs (adopted and fosters) as well as kicking my rear into the world of raw feeding (best thing I ever did for them). Read all the posts and training info on it that you can and use good sense when applying it to a Golden with an unknown past. Another great Golden site, especially issues with Rescues, is
http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/forums/index.php

Good luck with Willow and feel free to PM me if you'd like. I'd be glad to help in any way I can.
Kate

*shaking head*

Okie dokie Ms Director of Golden rescue.

Okay, maybe your both right.

I have a Lab/Golden that is a great dog but unfortunately he is not good around kids ( adults either ).

He will never be put to sleep!

He will never be near small kids!

Simple solution <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am the owner of a two yr. old Golden Ret. and dearly love the breed and my dog (Noley), but there is no way I would allow any dog regardless of breed to display any aggressive behavior toward my children. A one year old child is not responsible for how the dog senses his actions. If the dog cannot be riened in quickly it should in my opinion be removed from the home. Although I have not seen enough evidence to warrant putting her down I still feel strongly that she is not the right pet for your home at this time. Please safe gaurd your children first at all costs.
Terry

Treat them like they are animals
Train them like they are animals
Love them like they are people ................. Louis Grant

So what you all are saying is...if a dog growls at a kid too get rid of the dog....Dont try training it just pack it up and get rid of it?????

And what age are you considering kids?????

I think that to call someone an idiot for not wanting to keep a stupid golden retriever is wrong. Once more to not do it creatively is an outrage. For punishment for the above crimes, I would sentence you to letter writing. You must write all the AKC judges, and show breeders and congratulate them for their accomplishments. For example, taking a breed that had a passive reaction to fear, and giving it an active reaction to fear. There are many more examples of how this fine breed was destroyed but I hate typing.

Nobody cares that you rescue trash, while perfectly normal dogs go to their death.

I also think that you should go back and read Sammy's posts on various subjects. Then you will see that the term "idiot" does not apply.