Snappy dog

[teresamurphy]

Hi, can anyone help me understand my dog ???

Mojo is a 3yr old labrador cross rescue dog. We have him 2 1/2 yr and he
is such a good dog. He's an indoor dog perhaps bit spoilt and pampered (allowed on the couch/beds etc) but he is always well behaved and friendly.

he likes to greet visitors with a good sniff and pet if they are willing, however he has scared me on two seperate occasions recently by snapping at the faces of female guests, both of whom he has met previously.

I cannot understand what is happening, I don't feel I can trust him anymore when people call so we have decided to put him in another room but I am so puzzled that my sweet dog is behaving like this.

Can anyone help, please

[kjd]

Do you remember what they were doing just before he snapped? Were they wearing a new perfume? And, have you had him checked by the vet to ensure there is nothing wrong with him.

Sorry to have questions instead of answers,
kjd

[teresamurphy]

Hi
Both ladies has just come in and sat down, not in the same room, (1 in living room, other lady in kitchen) He approched them friendly and tail wagging, they rubbed back of head, low growl followed and then he sprang up and snapped at face.

Dont know about perfume but they are both dog owners..
No haven't taken him to vet... do think he is shaking his head alot lately
thanks, will get him checked but still puzzled as to why he snaps at the face

Many thanks
Teresa

[kjd]

Hi, Teresa,

I don't know why the face in particular, but shaking the head a lot could be something in his ear. You might look there. If you cannot find anything remiss, the vet is always a good choice.

Let us know,
kjd

[teresamurphy]

Hi jkd

Have check his ears all seems well, will have him check by vet.
Will let you know
Many thanks
Teresa

[teresamurphy]

Hi Kjd

took Mojo to vet, he has problem with both ears, red and alot of puss in his ears, got some drop to use for next 10 days. Used them earlier and I have just removed two black seed-like things from his outer ear.....

However he doesn't think that's causing the snapping, advised to get back to basic training and house rules, he feels I should stop allowing Mojo on couch and bed and apply strict procedure whereby Mojo goes to a quiet corner before visitors call and remain there until invited to join the group.
And should never be allow to approach visitors....

Think I've got alot of work ahead and trying to keeping husband and teens
on board seems challenging....

Don't feel happy about banning the couch at all as he sleeps there during day while i'm at work...

Any ideas............

Thanks
Teresa

[kjd]

Obedience training is always good, Teresa. Especially formal classes because he gets exposed to lots of other dogs and people but, even more, because he gets about an hour of your undivided attention.

You can put aluminum foil on the couch or just load it up with things so there is no clear place for him to lie.

The vet knows your dog better than I do and actually examined him, but he does seem a bit harsh. If I had pus coming out of both ears and black seed-like things in the outer ears and you rubbed me on the back of the head, I might not be responsible for my actions! Still, what worries the vet is the snapping; you don't want your dog biting. Stick to the vet's program, then see how he reacts the next time he sees the vet. Depending on Mojo's reactions, the vet may feel he can have more privileges.

Poor Mojo has been in pain for some time -- animals tend to hide these things from us. Let us see how he does when he is feeling well.

Do let us know how he is after the ears have cleared up. (And do double-check with the vet on his ears when you feel they have cleared up; the vet can look deeper into the ear canal than you.)

Good luck to you and Mojo,
kjd

[teresamurphy]

Hi Kjd
Thank you so much for your advice.
Yes vet does sound harsh but I understand why. He took a alot of time to explain to my teenager daughter about dogs, why they have to know their place and the consequences if he bites somebody.
He will check his ears again in ten days. Mojo was really well behaved at vet's even though vet was hurting him when examining his ear.
Poor darling slept beside my bed last night and he only every does when he's sick on unhappy.... Know i'm too soft...

Thank again will let you know how we are progressing.
Teresa

[teresamurphy]

Hi Kjd
sorry for delay but i'm back !! forgot password, locked myself out etc...
Anyway Mojo is doing well, got the all-clear from vet. Hasn't been on couch since we last spoke. When people call, Mojo goes sit on a mat/rug... one in every room so that's easy. so after a bit of nervousness on his part he usually just considers it all so boring are goes off somewhere quiet.

Had photographer call to house last week to have his photo taken.
Photographer decided he needed to get to know Mojo before the session
and approached him and started rubbing him, seem to go ok at first but then Mojo growled at him. So we have decided that nobody is allowed touch Mojo in future. Seems to be only safe way.
Other than that he is so well behaved and obedient.
thanks again for all you help and advice.
Teresa.

[kjd]

I'm sorry it didn't work out for Mojo. However, keep your eyes on those ears. I had a dog who constantly got ear infections. At first, it took two trips to the vet to solve the problem -- I could tell it was starting before anything showed up for the vet. Then he just gave me the medication and told me to use it whenever I thought her ears were getting bad.

This could be Mojo's problem. It could also be he remembers those sore ears and doesn't want non-family touching them. Doesn't hurt him to be left alone by others.

If his ears seem very warm, have the vet check him out. This is probably something you should regularly check -- temperature around his ears.

Good luck to you and Mojo,
kjd