Dog Community

Golden Acting like she will bite

Posted : 8/5/2009 3:14:48 PM

My 1.5 year golden has a great dislike for my mother-inlaw. Yesterday when she was over she tried to move my female golden out of her way. The dog put her mouth around my MIL ankle but did not bite down. Molly (the dog) has never done anything like this before. My MIL has a habit of yelling and chasing the dog with a broom so I am wondering if this could be were the aggresion is coming from. Also the dog has an injured paw from running and has been favoring it a few days. Otherwise Molly is a picture perfect golden. She is so gentle and loving, I am shocked this even happened. She is well trained, but I am worried that perhaps now I should be seeking behavioral therapy for her. Any sugestions?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 8/5/2009 3:32:02 PM

Goldens are dogs. All dogs will bite. Molly is in pain, your MIL chases her with a broom, and she physically MOVED the dog. She was asking for it, IMO. I'd have Molly's paw checked, and tell your MIL to have some respect for the dog, who has a mouthful of teeth as her only defense.

espencer

Posted : 8/5/2009 4:05:22 PM

yvonnegirl
My MIL has a habit of yelling and chasing the dog with a broom so I am wondering if this could be were the aggresion is coming from.

You dont have to wonder, for sure that is what is causing the problem. Nothing will change if your MIL does not change and gets educated on how dogs think and react. Your MIL is asking for an actual bite and when this happen she will want the dog gone and it wont be your doggie's fault.

Tell your MIL to call you if she has a problem with her so you can deal with it instead of her. Your MIL is the one who needs education, not your dog.

You can borrow my dog Chuck so your MIL realizes what a dog can do when he actually does not feel like putting up with that kind of human behavior.

Chuffy

Posted : 8/5/2009 4:11:02 PM

Molly sounds like a perfect angel - she is in pain, some (seemingly, to her) crazy human starts chasing her with a broom and she DOESN'T bite down? She actually retains enough self control to only mouth gently, as a warning? Give the dog a medal.

If I were you, the dog wouldn't have needed to bite, gently or otherwise. I'd have snatched the broom off her and chased her off my property, threatening to bite her myself. You're in my house, you treat me, my home, my belongings, my children and my pets.... with respect. Or you can get out.

Does Molly have a "place cue"? (Like, "go to bed"?) ASK her to move, and give her clear directions that she can follow, rather than invite confrontation by trying to physically monve her.