Re: [pyrnet] new behavior-growling at small dog

[mapleway@iolinc.net (McConnell, Chrissy)]

    In what manner do you correct her?

Chrissy


> My 1 year and 2 month old  female spayed  pyr Dumpling has been raised
with
> two jack russells and a tiny old chihuahua.  She is very playful with them
> and never aggressive (She doesn't play with the chihuahua, he dislikes her
> very much).  She does growl and act tough sometimes with bones, but still
> very much knows her limits.    The 11 year old male chihuahua totally
> attacks her and she just wrinkles her nose and backs away.  She has been
to
> puppy pre-school and puppy kindergarten and really came out of her shell.
> She loves other dogs and only ever growled at a husky puppy who literally
> was hanging on her leash for 1/4 mile of our walk.  (Don't know who's
puppy,
> probably a guest in the neighborhood.)  About 3 weeks ago I took her to a
> friend's house where there was an aggressive rather small
rotty/chow/smaller
> dog mix who attacked her.  Dumpling didn't care, she didn't fight back,
she
> just let him snap away at her.  We broke them up and kept them apart and
> took them for a walk and it seemed to work out, although, we never let
them
> together again.
>
> Then, last night I was visiting the same friend and a very small jack
> russell/chihuahua/something else mix male dog (maybe 8 lbs) came over.
The
> little guy was adorable a very very sweet.  I had Dumpling on her leash
and
> ready leave.  Dumpling sniffed the little guy an started to growling in a
> very ugly manner and went after him.  I was horrified.  The owner of the
> little dog was really not to concerned and she thought I should let
Dumpling
> off her leash and let them get familiar.  Normally I would have but one
nip
> and that sweet little guy could have been done.  I really don't think she
> would have harmed him, but I wasn't taking any chances.  She loves other
> dogs, just loves them, especially bigger ones.
>
> What could have made her do this?  Is this normal "getting to know you"
dog
> behavior (it hasn't been for her)?  Can I trust her with small dogs?  She
is
> excellent with our little dogs and our cats?  My gut feelings tells me if
> I'd have left her go, they would have been friends in no time.  She has
had
> a scuffle or two with our male jack over a toy or bone.  It sounded ugly
> they were really mad but they seemed to know not to go to next level.
>
> Am I over reacting?  Thanks for any advice.
>
> Sherri