i have a 2 year old resue collie, most of the time she is ok, but sometimes she will snap at you for what seems to be no reason. on thursday she was sprad and so was a bit quiter, but last not my son went to storke her and she went for him. she was in her basket, so i don't know if maybe he was a bit rough with her or she throught he was going to do something else? she also poohed in the hallway on friday which was a first, as if she's going to do it any where its in the conservte. she starts dog training next thursday and i'm hoping this will as i am starting to feel we have done the wrong thing and maybe she will not change and maybe we need to send her back to the resue centre.
if anyone could help with any sort of adive i would be gratful
barbara
new dog owner

Hi Barbara,

If she was only spayed on Thursday she will still be in a lot of discomfort, and animals in pain are unreliable, even if you have had them all their lives. How long have you had her? From the sound of it she is very unsettled, and the surgery has confused and frightened her. Don't take her to training class until she has had her stitches out and the "all-clear" from the vet.

Hope this helps.

I advice anynew dog owners i meet to read John Fisher's "Why Does My Dog....."

It is excellent on explaining why dogs do things, and how we as owners can affect their behaviour by our knowledge of lack of :)

If you continue to have trouble, speak to the vet and if necessary get a referral via him to a behaviourist.

Best of luck

LIndsay

It's not surprising she snapped. She's just had major surgery & is in discomfort, if not pain. It doesn't sound as if you've had her very long, so she's no reason to trust you or your family fully yet. Children should also be taught that when a dog is asleep or in its own territory/basket etc. it should be left alone, especially if the dog is off colour. I wouldn't attempt training class at least until she's had her stitches out. If you are fully committed to this dog, there is plenty you can do to help her gain confidence at home. Doing some basic obedience will help her, if it's done by being firm but very kind & giving her plenty of rewards & praise when she does something right. If she poohed in the hall, she was probably desperate - obviously spaying makes it hurt when she "goes" and she probably put it off until she had to.
It will take time and patience, but if you can put yourself in her place & try to work out why she's doing things, you'll find it easier to train her out of bad habits. When you take on a rescue dog, you have to accept that you have a "grown up" puppy & need to start at the beginning with its training. Sh'e only 2 yrs old, so it shouldn't be too dificult, but harder than with an 8 wk old pup. Once she's recovered from her spaying, do find a good training class.

I was 'spayed' myself last year and I'd have bit anyone who disturbed me in my bed that day ;)

Being realistic it is bound to hurt her and you should probably make the exception in this case. The others are all giving you great advise but I'll just add that a dog of any age take time and patience to train, moreso with a 2 year old rescue than a new pup.

:D well done for taking her on and good luck with the training - and please come back and tell us more about how you are getting on.

Your bitch has had not only a hysterectomy to contented with but also a new home and a load of strangers, make sure everyone gives her the consideration she requires and deserves. Do not attempt to take her to training until a week after her stitches have been removed (3 weeks after the op if they are the sort that dissolve) and tell your children that they should not touch or disturber her when she is in her bed or resting.