We recently acquired a rescue dog (Female Doberman). She is 5 years old and usually has an excellent temperment.
Although, recently, she has snapped at my 8 year old daughter for no apparent reason several times?
I find this very strange as the dog follows my daughter every where and they are great friends.
Can anyone advise?
Bob

I'm sorry - but I would keep her away from your daughter -at least until you can find out what has happened in her earlier homes. It is your responsibility to keep your daughter safe - and you would never forgive yourself if something happened.

Keep them apart, at least until you have seen a behaviourist.

Margot

Thanks Margot.
I do understand your reply but she is a family dog which both my children adore.
have you any ideas why she should sudenly start doing this - it has happened twice in two months.
Many Thanks

Hi.
How long have you had the dog, and do you know her background? A Dobermann that snaps is nothing to take lightly. I would firstly make sure she is fit health wise, then look at things like was your daughter disturbing the dog whilst eating/sleeping, was she taking something from her, like a toy or food. If she is fit and your daughter was doing nothing to provoke an attack, then I would re-home the dog, the risk is not worth it.
Dawn.

Welcome to the forum. Can you tell us why the dog was in Rescue in the first place as this may give us some clues and secondly, I assume you have contact breed rescue? What have they said?

Hi,
The dog was put into the animal sanctuary when the owners divorced - neither could have the dog as they were both in rented accommodation.
The dog was brought up with a small child so should be use to children.
My son is 10 and does not have any problems with the dog - the vet seems to think that he dog she's my daughter as further down the "pecking order" and occasionally puts her in her place?
How do I contact Breed Rescue
Many Thanks

Hi bob,

I've owned bred and been around Dobermanns for over 20 years and I have only ever owned 1 unpredictable Dobermann.

Unfortunately we were new to the breed back in 1983 and we got our first Dobermann from a rescue sanctuary. He was also 5 years old, we went in blind not knowing anything about its past and we paiid the piper. We named him 'Billy' and one they he turned on me and put 17 stitches down the side of my face......and for no clear and apparent reason. It was our first dog so we thought it's a one off and will not do it again. Unfortunately we were very wrong! My father came home one night from work made some fuss of billy and billy decided to bite my dad. He put 106 stitches in my dads face.

The lesson has stayed with both my father and I for over 20 years and now we're both scarred. We had not choice but to have him pts.
The lesson with dogs for everyone especially if your new to dogs is know your dog, know your breed and no their backgroung if possible.

I do not want to scare you with the above and I hope I haven't, but if your dog is snapping and you have a child you need to be very warey.

Did the previous owners have children? It may be that they did not and that your dog is used to being the only one in the family and may fell threatend by your daughter, hence the reason your dog follows her everywhere.

regards
Chaz

Bob,

I do apologise I miss read your post :o I see you say they did have children, perhaps it's just pure jealousy. Has your dog snapped at your child whilst either yourself of your wife have been present? Or was your child alone on the occasions?

Chaz

Usually with my son, who is 10, or on her own.
She is a brilliant dog - very loving and loyal but just does this snap now and then. The dog has not actually bite her yet!??

Hi bob,

You say usually with your son who is 10, or when she is on her own! Have you asked your children what happened in the lead up to both these snaps? Is this your first dog? and without trying to offend you could your're children be teasing your dog.

chaz

Hi Chaz,
Both children are very sensible - we have a few friends who have dogs. They don't tease the dog they know the consequences!
I have caught her once snapping at my daughter just because she walked pass?
It's only my daughter, no one else in the family?
Many Thanks
Bob

Has she had a full check from a vet? Many 'agression' cases are caused by bad health :(

Hi,
Yes, she has had a full "MOT"
She is currently having a phantom pregnancy - the vet has put her on hormone treatment. Apparently this can affect her temperment.
I don't want to get rid of her, as I have said earlier, she is no trouble and 99.9% of the time perfect with my daughter.

Bob,

If your dog has snapped at your children boths times whilst having a phantom pregnancy - in there probably lies the answer as their temprement will fluctuate.

If it happened before the phantom pregnancy then I would suggest as did margot earlier, that you definately seek the advice of a behaviourist and nip this one in the bud before your dog has a REAL off day.

Best of luck and I hope you find the answer you need ASAP they are a lovely breed!;)

cordially

Chaz

Many Thanks.
Where will I find a "Behaviourist"?
Regards
Bob

So what about the .1% of the time she is not ok? For that .1% of the time your daughter is in danger. Do you really want to risk your child waiting to see if a behaviourist or anyone else will sort the problem out? Your daughter only has one face?

Sorry bob,:o

More haste less speed, try this website www.dogtraining-online.co.uk.

regards

Chaz:0

Bob,

Try your local vets or kennels there are lots around, this website may also help.

Best of luck

Chaz:0

If you do go the behaviourist route, take care to check them out as there are so many out there now, and not all are good.

If the problem is due to the phantom pregnancy, maybe chat with the vet to see if anything can be done.

If the dobe has been with kids before, it doesn't necessarily follow that those kids were nice and that it was a good experience for the dog.

Just a few thoughts :)

Lindsay

Has your vet suggested spaying her once the PP has ended It's the only way to 100 % prevent future ones & possibly stop the snapping ?

what you have to think is could you live with yourself if the dog did actually bite your daughter and scarred her for life? I understand that you all love her and it must be hard for you but seeing a behaviourist will not change this problem overnight, it could take months, i wouldn't leave your daughter or son alone with the dog at anytime, too risky!

Having done rescue for several years, I can guarantee that people will say ANYTHING when they want rid of a dog, the fact she snaps at some children may be the very fact she was in rescue in the first place. She would only encounter adults while in kennels, so a temperament fault with children would not be evident. PLEASE be aware of all the possibilities.
Dawn.

hi

take her back to the rescue home where they can rehome her to someone with no children,my sister had a doberman, one day her husband bent down to him to tuck in his blanket which he did every night the dog sunk his teeth into his face and wouldnt let go ,the dog pinned him on the floor and he could'nt move and hes a wellbuilt 6 ft man it took 4 people to get the dog off ,the sad thing was he had to be pts and after the attack the dog was back to his normal self ,don't put your daughter at risk !

shaunie

Bob

Picture this scenario: the dog goes for your daughter again, and actually bites her. You would then feel guilt thaty you had not protected your daughter and would decide that the dog must be pts; your daughter, whom you say adores the dog, would, in all probability, feel guilty because she might feel it was her fault that the dog had to be pts in addition to the pain that she would be going through.

I know it is hard to admit that something isn't going to work out - but this is one time when you must admit that something is going wrong: by advising the rescue society exactly why you cannot keep her will enable them to find her a suitable home, where boundaries can be laid down to ensure that the dog is not placed in a situation where it could harm a child. You, and your children will feel sad that she is no longer with you, but you will have gained experience in knowing what is not right for you - and the right dog will be out there for you and your children.

Please, please, please, for the sake of the dog, and more importantly, your daughter, rehome this dog now.

Regards

Margot