[Nicole74]

Boy, is he ever WRONG! I took Bailey to the vet's office due to her growling and snapping at my 6 year old. The vet's office has strongly recommended a behaviorist to come and visit with us at our house. I couldn't agree more! I called dh and told him and he is completely against it! WTHeck? I think I have a dangerous situation with my dog snapping at my 6 year old. He is worried about the money part and says I can find ways to help this on my own with the internet.:uhoh:

I don't care what he thinks, I'm calling the behaviorist tomorrow and hopefully they can come out by Monday. I have no clue how to handle this on my own, this is the first time I've ever experienced this. All I have to say is he better be here when the behaviorist is here.

 

[LuckyPup]

I completely agree with you Nicole. I hope it all works out and your dh sees eye to eye with you.

I would definitely call a behaviourist.

Good Luck. Keep us posted!

 

[LuckyPup]

Oh btw....how is your son's (I am hoping you said son) ear? Hope all is well with him (her)

Sorry bad memory!

 

[Nicole74]

Sydney is home today. Her ear is still bad. She may have the H1N1 too, the doctor said as long as she is healthy, they were not going to test for it. She has had a high fever for several days and right now she is sleeping. I bet she will be home tomorrow also.

 

[laprincessa]

Sydney is home today. Her ear is still bad. She may have the H1N1 too, the doctor said as long as she is healthy, they were not going to test for it. She has had a high fever for several days and right now she is sleeping. I bet she will be home tomorrow also.

Is the behaviorist going to be observing Bailey with the kids, without your being present? I may be way off base here, but from what I've been reading, it sounds like Bailey is nervous around your youngest daughter.

 

[LuckyPup]

Sorry I messed that up! I am terrible with that. I am sorry to hear she is so sick. My daughter has that as well. Hope she feels better soon!

 

[Debles]

Let us know how it goes with the behaviorist. Make sure they are using positive methods.

 

[Nicole74]

Is the behaviorist going to be observing Bailey with the kids, without your being present? I may be way off base here, but from what I've been reading, it sounds like Bailey is nervous around your youngest daughter.

No, the behaviorist wants us all here. Yes, Bailey is nervous with the youngest growling and snapping at her. It all started last Wednsday when she tried to grab her out of the kennel. The vet also feels that Bailey believes that she is higher up in our pack then the youngest daughter.

The vet believes Bailey has some general anxeity issues as well. I did properly socialize her and put her through puppy classes. I took her out to public places several times during the week just to get use to people all summer long. I think I need to continue taking her out and getting her into obedience classes. Bailey is also afraid of strange dogs ever since she got bit in the neck on one of our walks. Bailey has encountered several dogs who have challenged her on our walks and it makes me furious that the owners let their dogs run loose.

I want to correct this as soon as possible.

 

[rappwizard]

A good behaviorist will be far less expensive than plastic surgery/therapy for your daughter (or even increased home owner's insurance costs should your insurance company find out about a bite, should one occur). I'm not wishing these things--just saying that it's good you're being proactive.

 

[Maya's Mom]

So sorry your husband doesn't understand how important this is. I think the combination of the behaviorist and anti-anxiety meds, which you had mentioned in another thread, sounds perfect. Before the behaviorist gets there, if I were you I would confirm that they use positive methods. You don't want to waste your time and money and possibly make the situation worse by using fear-based methods. i think you are absolutely right to be proactive and deal with this right away.

 

[amy22]

Oh I hope that your daughter feels better real soon and the behaviorist can help your sweet pup.

 

[buckeyegoldenmom]

I understand the difficulties of dealing with a reluctant husband sometimes. But I think you are right to hold to your guns and demand that a behaviorist evaluate Bailey and your families interactions with her. Good luck to you!! In the long run it is cheaper than some of the possible consequences of not doing the right thing!

The hardest part may be getting everyone in your family on board with doing what the behaviorist suggests with regards to Bailey! I know my husband can be "stubborn" sometimes with the training methods suggested at my dogs training classes.

 

[Goldenmomma]

I agree with you. Get the help now and avoid future problems. My husband is always reluctant to correct his princess. I finally have my granddaughter (8) being firm with the Sully, but it is taking longer with my grandson (5). Mostly my fault, when Sully was a puppy I just let them play so Sully thinks playing is still okay despite the fact she has gotten larger. Correct it now and then you can relax before the holidays.

 

[esSJay]

....Bailey is also afraid of strange dogs ever since she got bit in the neck on one of our walks.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the behaviour issue? She might be sensitive around her neck area when it's touched, and your daughter grabbing her by the scruff the other day may have triggered Bailey to remember when she was attacked by that dog, and she acted in self-defense??

Anyway, I wish you and Bailey all the best and hope that the trainer/behaviourist can work their magic!

 

[Nicole74]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the behaviour issue? She might be sensitive around her neck area when it's touched, and your daughter grabbing her by the scruff the other day may have triggered Bailey to remember when she was attacked by that dog, and she acted in self-defense??

Anyway, I wish you and Bailey all the best and hope that the trainer/behaviourist can work their magic!

That is what the vet has said. Bailey will sometimes be totally fine with Madison and other times not. She hides. Poor Madison, this is her puppy and I hope we can work it out. It's my fault for this happening and I feel awful. I hope we can fix it. I'm calling the behaviorist today and she will work with my schedule. I really like her from talking with her on the phone. The evaluation is free, it's the classes I have to pay for. I'm not using who the vet said, I'm using someone much closer to my home from a list that FlyingQuizini sent me a link.

I finally convinced hubby that it's a good idea we get someone out here.

 

[Maya's Mom]

I finally convinced hubby that it's a good idea we get someone out here.

I'm soooo glad to hear that!!!! Good work! I really think that this is a solvable problem with the right behaviorist working with you and all your family members on board. Keep us updated on how it goes.

 

[Sawyer4me]

I am glad you are overriding your husband on this. You are right this is a situation that you need to resolve ASAP. IMO there is no amount of money that is too much when it comes to my or anyone's child's safety.

Poor thing a doggy bite and H1N1, really hope she starts feeling better soon.

 

[Nicole74]

Even if hubby totally dissagreed, I'd do it anyways. He knows nothing about dogs, so he has no clue how dangerous this situation can be if we don't take action and right away. This is his very first dog he's ever had. I grew up with dogs, but I never had to be in charge of this situation before. My parents have shown and bred dogs since before I was born and have had a variety of temperments within their dogs.

Bailey has been doing A LOT better with Madison! Last night Bailey even sat on the same chair as her and hubby at his feet. I've been having Madison hand feed Bailey with every meal. Sometimes I will have her give the wait command with a piece here and there. I'm still having the behavorist come out in a few days and I'm thinking of having Madison do Bailey's obedience training at a center.

 

[esSJay]

Bailey has been doing A LOT better with Madison! Last night Bailey even sat on the same chair as her and hubby at his feet. I've been having Madison hand feed Bailey with every meal. Sometimes I will have her give the wait command with a piece here and there. I'm still having the behavorist come out in a few days and I'm thinking of having Madison do Bailey's obedience training at a center.

Glad to hear that they are doing better together! I think it would be a great idea to have Madison take charge at the obedience training, or at least have a lot of participation. Sounds like it would be a great bonding experience for the two of them.

 

[rappwizard]

Yes, I agree, let Madison take the active role in the training--just to clarify, were Madison and Bailey sitting in the same chair? and husband was sitting on the floor? or was Madison and your husband sitting in the same chair and Bailey sitting on the floor--that's the way it should be--unless they gave Bailey permission to be up on the chair.

Only reason I'm being so picky is you have a golden who is trying to climb above Madison in the pack--who is giving permission to the golden to be on the furniture? (and I'm not saying it's wrong, I allow mine up on the bed and sofa too, but it's at my invitation). Just trying to have you see that Bailey may be more in charge than you think--maybe. IMHO.