? about my dog

[ntburns22]

My dog will be 9 this fall. She does have hip problems. Well since my DH (not dear) left she has been getting mean, getting into the trash nightly, and trying to go after our cat. I have no clue what to do. She snapped at me when I was trying to get trash away from her this morning. Any tips right now besides going to the vet. I really don't have the money for that right now. No flames please. I haven't had any money come in since he left.

 

[gris gris]

Can you call your vet and ask for advice? Just ask the receptionist to relay a message to the vet if he's busy and have them call you back. It shouldn't be a big deal if you're their customer. It could be she's missing her dad, dogs have feelings too!

 

[Buckalew11]

Maybe it is the pain that is making him mean. Or maybe he senses the change in your household, I don't know. There is a vitamin/pill dogs can take for some hip trouble (my lab had that common hip problem in labs) but it is a bit expensive, I think. I'll ask DH.

I am sorry you are dealing w/this on top of everything else. Do you have enough money to take care of your kids and yourself right now?

 

[kdibattista]

Hip pain can definitely make dogs mean. We had a collie who was the sweetest dog ever but became very snappy when anyone went near his back end. There were times he would collapse and we couldn't even help him up because he would snap. We finally had to put him down .

I'm so sorry... this is the last thing you need

 

[ntburns22]

Maybe it is the pain that is making him mean. Or maybe he senses the change in your household, I don't know. There is a vitamin/pill dogs can take for some hip trouble (my lab had that common hip problem in labs) but it is a bit expensive, I think. I'll ask DH.

I am sorry you are dealing w/this on top of everything else. Do you have enough money to take care of your kids and yourself right now?

She is on pills for her hips. They are a little pricey but we still have some.

The kids and I are OK right now. My parents have been sending me money for groceries and the basics.

 

[Christine]

I'm not sure what the established "pack" was in your household, but if your dog considered your husband the "alpha" in the household and now the "alpha" is gone, well, your dog is probably now trying to establish him/herself as the pack leader. Dogs will do this.

What you can start doing with her if to give her quick obedience lessons throughout the day to let her know that YOU are in charge. Take a moment, get a treat, and order the dog to SIT or LAY or whatever you do. Do this a few times over the next few weeks and that should help.

Also, the other issue is pain as another poster said. This can make dogs snappish.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Your dog senses your weakness and is "taking over".

Put a leash on the dog and don't let it have free roam. Make it follow you and restablish who is the boss of the house.

Then put the dog near the trash, have it go after it and discipline, discipline, discipline.

You force the dog into the unwanted situations and then discipline.

Lather, rinse, repeat until the dog "gets" that he is not the alpha of the house. Oh and make sure you "match" his aggression with the as Cesar Milan says..."calm, but assertive" discipline.
That was my trouble with "Butters". If your dog is snapping, which is considered a "bite" in the dog world, you have to match that with very serious discipline.

 

[nephthys43]

it sounds to me as if your dog is trying to take over the pack. you have to be firm and not show fear. it sounds harsh but you may have to "knock her down" as i call it. my dog thought she was above my mother in the pack and would jump on her and ignore her if she gave her a command. i showed my mother how to force her to the ground into a submissive position and told her to keep her there for a bit. it took a couple of tries, but she now recognizes my mother is one of the bosses.