I recently (August) added Catherine, a rhodesian ridgeback rescue (spayed, maybe 7 or 8 yrs old, about 100 lb.) to my household.
My household included Gracie, an approx 17 year old ridgeback who's slowing down, my hubby and 2 1/2 year old boy/girl twins (the boy has some develomental delays and is just learning to walk). When the kids were born, we had another RR rescue who passed away in May.
Catherine has some fear issues. For the first few weeks, she would cower regularly (and do some fear peeing if pushed) if she felt she was being asked to come somewhere. Out for a walk, get out of the car, come out into the yard to potty, etc. With time and patience, that has subsided. If she became fearful, we left her alone for a few minutes until she relaxed. I was pretty happy she seemed to be coming out of her shell.
THe last two weeks or so I have noticed she has started grumbling, now turning into a low growling, when either Gracie or anybody else (me, hubby, or the kids) brush up against her (a few times in my son's case falling against her while practicing walking, in my daughters case, abruptly sitting down and landing on a toe, in Gracie's case walking too close to where she is laying). We still try to avoid leaving her and the kids alone together. The kids are pretty respectful of dogs, but still toddlers, so not perfect. Catherine does not seem to mind the kids and in fact will lick the backs of their necks to make them laugh. And she is fine with them petting her (with me watching).
Catherine does not sleep on furniture. At times, she may be laying on a pillow or throw rug. There is a designated dog bed that has a plastic fence on three sides of it -- that is Gracie's indoor bed and the kids know not to enter the bed, whether or not Gracie is there (maybe I should designate a doggie bed area that is exclusively Catherine's?). Lately, Catherine as been trying to use Gracie's private designated bed.
I am fearful Catherine will nip a child. SHe is hardly an alpha dog (quite the opposite). I think what I am asking for help with is to understand what she is saying in doggie language. Is she trying to assert dominance over Gracie? Should I start having the kids feed her when they walk up to her so she has positive associations with them? So far, I have been telling them not to feed the dogs. Niether dog is food aggressive--I can add food to or move their food bowl while they are eating with no reaction (though they eat at opposite ends of the room). When Catherine has grumbled, I have not really corrected her (I"ll say maybe "Catherine it's okay--Gabi can you apologize to Catherine for bumping into her"). Until the grumbling became growling, I was okay with letting her express that she needed some extra personal space. Raising your voice can panic her (and leave a puddle of pee).
Maybe I am overreacting. But I want to try to nip the problem in the bud. I am hoping to take some obedience classes with Catherine (though she is pretty good on walks I think it would help her confidence plus I want her to get her Canine Good Citizen). My hubby works erratic 14 hour shifts as a nurse which has complicated signing up for training. I can also say I have been under a lot of stress with a few events I have been putting on in the last few weeks/next few weeks. In November those will end. I do not know if Catherine is picking up on my stress. SHe goes on daily walks and really enjoys them.
I am hoping that I can understand what she is thinking/doing, and then work on correcting any problem within the pack. Thanks in advance.
Agnes