Please help - Roxy snapping at kids

Hi Everyone, really need some advice. About a week ago Roxy snapped at my nephew, by snap I mean warning growl. She didn't touch him. Anyway we thought it was a bit strange but just assumed when he leant across her he must have hurt her a little. Even though she is quite used to the kids laying on her etc. She was in a grumpy mood that day anyway. We had just had 2 puppies over.

So then a few days later she did it again, same situation, he leant over her and she growled at him. Again we excused it, but then at a BBQ yesterday a girl of about 7 who I did'nt really know was petting Roxy and Ty. And from what I could see wasn't doing anything that could have possible hurt her or annoyed her, but Roxy snapped at her

I firmly told her off and had to tie her and her brother up anyway as the kids were just about to eat. But I was seriously worried. Today I'm puppy sitting again, and Roxy has been a fowl mood all day, She has snapped at Ty 3 times already, which she would usually do only when he is REALLY annoying her, so it seems she has a really short fuse. I'm really not sure what to do, she has always been fantastic with kids. and now im a bit scared to let kids go near her.

She doens't have anything wrong with her that i'm aware of, she went to the vet on Tuesday for her Jabs and another check of her skin infection (which I know is bothering her, but she's fine with me and adults stroking her) although this vet had no cure, so theres no chance of it healing up anytime soon.

I'm just really worried for her, she's so depressed

We had exactly the same situation a few weeks ago with Fudge. i got the vet to check her over . She did have conjunctivitus at the time so it could have been linked to that.

We decided to go right back to basics with Fudge and re-inforced all her boundaries such as no begging etc, not on furniture and basic manners regarding us and the childre. Fudge has been great since then and we have only had one snap and that was when she was trodden by accident.

How old is Roxy? I wonder whether the heat and the skin condition and excitable kids were perhaps too much for her on those occasions?

Perhaps the skin infection is irritating her to such a degree that being handled by a child just isnt a situation she wants to be in.How does she normally behave around children-does she roll over in a submissive way or stand there confidently waiting to be petted? It may be that she see's children as below her social ranking and cause she may not be feeling 100%-she wont tolerate them at the moment.

Its clear from your post eitherway that this behaviour isnt normal so if i was you i'd get her checked over by a vet incase theres something else which is bothering her.We all get a little techy when ill,but unfortunatley dogs cannot tell people to bog off and only know how to snap or snarl.

Go to the Vet and ask for a FULL thyroid panel test. Hypothyroidism is a common problem in Dobes, grumpyness, moodyness and depression are "normal" symptoms of this. I think you must rule out any medical problem first, dont let the vet say she is too young to get it, my friends Dobe was diagnosed at 16mths, he was heading for being PTS because of his snapping and unpredictable aggression, once confirmed and controlled he was fine and has been ever since.
Dawn.

I agree with Dawn about thyroid,but until she just said-i wouldnt have made the connection with moods-cheers Dawn!!! Abe my old Rottie had an underactive thyroid and he too turned into a bit of a sour face,but i never knew what the symptoms were.He did after the vet found out and was on medication start to socialise more with other dogs.

Victoria Stilwell did this with a boxer this week as he was Very aggressive (not like Roxy). He too had an underactive thyroid.

Thanks guys, I will book her in vets again form Monday.

I thought it might be social ranking, as she only picks on 1 of my nephews, the younger one, who has never trained her, the other one, who gets her to sit etc... she is fine with, but thats no excuse to pick on a girl who she has never met!!

This is exactly why we went back to basic manners with Fudge. I did all the normal things like my kids feeding her her meals etc and grooming her.

good luck with both the vet and the social ranking.

After doing a bit of research, we found this

"A typical history starts out with a quiet, well-mannered and sweet natured puppy. The dog is outgoing, has attended puppy training classes to prepare for obedience, working or show events, and comes from a reputable breeder whose kennel has no history of behavioral problems.

However, at the onset of puberty, which varies from seven months to a year in age, sudden major changes in personality are observed. Typical signs may include incessant whining, nervousness, schizoid behavior, fear in the presence of strangers, hyperventilation, undue sweating, occasional disorientation and failure to be attentive. These can progress to sudden unprovoked aggressiveness in unfamiliar situations with other animals and with people, especially children."

This is spot on to Roxy's symptoms. She has started barking at strangers now, she's become very un attentive etc.

Is this easy to cure? what is the medication?

It was a daily tablet I think that was shown on the Victoria Stilwell programme.