german shepard snapped at guest?

[Littlebluesock]

hi we have a 3 yr old german shepard bitch who we got from a rescue 1.5 years ago. had a few problems with her attacking our older collie cross bitch when we first got her (she never broke the skin) but thankfully after separating them at night/feeding times and keeping them closeley supervised when together this has not happened in the last year and they seem to be getting on well.

she has never showm any type of agression towards humans and is fine meeting people/dogs both on walks and if they come to our home. Our home is a generally busy one and she is fine with children.

however a male friend of dp's daughter came over the other day, it was the first time our gsd had met him. she started fussing him a bit (not jumping up more like sniffing/licking him) and they started playing. he then put his hand around her snout.

suddenly her demeanour changed and she jumped up and kind of snarled/snapped at him then sat back down. I immediately firmly told her no and put her into the kitchen.

I was just wondering if I could get any insight into this, I am very upset and worried that this is the first step she might be taking into agression? should I call a dog behaviourist?

[Littlebluesock]

friend is aged 21 so not a child.

[insanityscratching]

I would have said it was the friend who should have been shouted at tbh as grabbing the dog's muzzle would have provoked the dog into snapping. If the dog only snarled and didn't put his teeth on your guest then I would say she showed great restraint tbh because she only warned him.

[thetoysarealiveitellthee]

I do this to my dog all the time as its our game, but its a bit of an overly familiar thing to do to a dog you don't know.

Agree with pp that the dog has shown restraint and just wanted to warn him off. I personally wouldn't be worried because of this instance. What I would do is call the friend a bloody idiot and ask them not to do it again.

[SpicyPear]

Agreed with insanity. That is a very intrusive and confrontational action. It's completely uncalled for. An easy going dog who has grown up with that type of handling might see it as a game but she clearly found it frightening and the snarl/snap was her way of telling him to get the hell off. It was an appropriate use of dog language in a situation in which she felt under threat and she should not be punished or told off for it. Dogs that are told off for growling etc are left with no other option to communicate "go away" than full on biting.

You need to make sure that guests handle her with respect and not roughly. It is not on to expect her to tolerate that.

[lougle]

The friend took away her emergency defence (the ability to bite). He threatened her. He may well have hurt her if her tongue was caught between her jaws as he muzzled her. She was clearly issuing a warning because she didn't continue.

Your dd's friend needs training and supervision, IMHO.

[JadeJ123]

Oh just read this properly, the person needs training IMO I don't blame your dog for doing this

[Littlebluesock]

thank you for your responses really put my mind at rest. I was thinking along those lines tbh but was a bit confused as I play with her this way and it is a game! she is generally easy going so was probably because ahe didn't know him so to speak.

I am probably a bit sensitive to aggression as years ago I adopted a gsd that had unfortunately been abused and was highly agressive to males. I eventually had to take her back to the rescue after having her for two years as it just wasnt getting better I tried all manner of behaviourists/training classes. She was put to sleep because she was deemed too much of a danger to it was heartbreaking :(

[MorphineDreams]

People really need to stop assuming they can just touch and grab dogs at will.

[mrslaughan]

she felt threatened, he got what he deserved - stupid blighter. Honestly I am the first to worry about dogs biting, but what a completely stupid thing to do.

though I would be careful if he is around again, as she may well remember him and be on her guard.

[Booboostoo]

The other posters may be right but do consider pain as a source of new and unexplained behaviour. I'd take her to the vets for a check up, especially her teeth, sinuses and nose area.