HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Hi everyone,

We adopted a shih-tzu, chichuahua mix that is a little over a year old yesterday from someone on craigslist. We drove all the way to Pa. to pick up the dog-he was scared when we took him but friendly. He didn't cry or bark the whole way home, but when we got home and tried to get him out of the crate he was growling and kind of hissing at us. We put the entire crate in a sectioned off room with his food, bed, toys, etc and left the door open.

He still has not come out and is growling any time anyone goes near the room. I was going in there and just talking like everything was fine to show him that it is okay, but he just growls and growls.

I realize that he is scared and has never been away from his former home, but I'm concerned about the aggressive behavior-is this normal for a newly adopted older dog-should we just give him more time? Or is this indicative of a big problem?

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

If he's in a separate part of your house, i would go in there and just lay down on the floor. Let him know you're not a threat and let him come to you. Maybe bring some treats, so he associates you with good things

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

If I go anywhere near the cage or room he growls-if I bend down towards the floor he growls more-do you think that i should still do that? He isn't interested in treats-I left some out and he is not at all interested.

I feel really bad for him that he was rehomed from the only family that he ever knew but if we didn't take him, someone else would have. His owner was not going to keep him.

I don't want to the growling to escalate into something else so I am not sure if I should just stay away or try what you suggested.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

is it possible to keep him in a room where there is some family activity so hes use to people walking about but not going near his crate since that is his safe space?

I want to believe that its an adjustment issue and hes getting use to his new surroundings. If you know of any rescue groups i would contact them just to find out what the best approach to take and if this is an issue and if it is and you're willing to work with the dog, if they have a referral to a trainer.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Thanks, he is in the kitchen, so we are going in there to do what we need to when necessary, plus the living room is right next to it.

I don't know any rescue groups to contact, but I will try to do a search-thanks. I appreciate any advice that anyone can offer.

I went in an sat on the floor-he growled continuously-I left a bacon flavored chew bone and when I left he came out and got it but went right back into his crate.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

If you just adopted him yesterday, he could be very traumatized. God only knows what was really going on in the home he came from.

Please have patience with him. Definitely do not place him a room all alone, secluded from the house. Try to gently befriend him, with treats, and simply your presence. This could take a good while for him to come around.

He is probably very scared, in a new house with new people. That's a huge adjustment for a dog. Hope he comes around soon but please be very patient with him.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Thanks, I will give him more time. I feel badly for him, but I am also concerned because he must be peeing in the crate and there is only a blanket in there. I wanted to take him outside to let him go, but cannot do that since he will not let me near him.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Posted by Goobster

If you just adopted him yesterday, he could be very traumatized. God only knows what was really going on in the home he came from.

Please have patience with him. Definitely do not place him a room all alone, secluded from the house. Try to gently befriend him, with treats, and simply your presence. This could take a good while for him to come around.

He is probably very scared, in a new house with new people. That's a huge adjustment for a dog. Hope he comes around soon but please be very patient with him.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

I guess I am a little afraid of him-he is about 15 lbs so a bit large for a dog of that mixed breed. I feel like he might bight me if I keep bothering him. Or the kids -although I am keeping them away from him right now.

Just not sure if should try to coax him or leave him alone when growling because I don't want it to escalate

Message edited 12/20/2011 4:26:40 PM.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

My grandparents have a shih-tzu who now is 16 years old and she has been growling since she was a puppy. I can't really give you advice on how to stop it but maybe you could hire a trainer to come to your house.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Thanks for your advice everyone. I am trying to be patient and just give him more time-now he is out of the crate at least and using the dog bed that we bought him-but I can't even get him to go outside when I hold the kitchen door open-he is at least peeing on newspaper.

It is just so frustrating-his original owner said that she never heard him growl ever before and is shocked that this is happening.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Message edited 12/21/2011 4:32:48 PM.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Well the original owners own his parents, they decided to let the mother have a litter (not too smart) and were going to keep him, but decided that having 3 dogs was way too much. I don't think that she is lying about the aggression issues not existing before, I think he is just a very nervous dog possibly and this put him over the edge.

The good news is he just ate a piece of pepperoni out of my hand! He immediately went back to his bed, but it is progress!

Laura

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

I would be careful with treating bad behavior. If he growls and you give him treats, what is that telling him? That you like it when he's fearful and aggressive.

Don't stimulate him when he's acting like that. Pay no attention to him. Act like he's not there, go about your business.

You must learn how to be a calm leader, or he will decide that he leads you. Google it, hire a trainer, read books, do what you need to do to make sure he's comfortable being in your pack, but as the lowest member.

Congrats on adopting and giving him a chance. Whether they lied or not, you can change everything for him. With the right training information and patience, you'll do fine.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it! We had a complete turnaround last night and he is a completely different dog!

He finally let me pet him last night after I laid on the floor near him for a while, then let me put him on my lap, although he was shaking, then I carried him outside with a leash on and he was in heaven and started kissing me. He has been amazing all day, with the kids and myself. He is crazy, like a puppy so we will have to do some training, but has been nothing but loving. The only issue I have is when someone passes on the street when he is outside he barks and growls, and someone came to our door and he growled quite a bit. I have to teach him not to do that but we are thrilled with his turnaround.

Re: HELP-adopted new dog growling issues!