[freebird]

so, my hubby and i and our 3 dogs just moved to maryland. we are finally settled in and have been here for about a month. 2 of our 3 dogs are acting very strange. i understand they are probably stressed b/c of the move and the new environment, but im afraid one of them may become dangerous.<br><br><br><br>
she is a pitbull/boston terrier mutt, and, in maryland, it's legal to put down a pit bull just because they are a pit bull. (i work in an animal hospital and ive seen 2 pits come in for 'euthanasia' in the last week, just b/c of their breed. my hospital refuses to do it based on breed, though--yay! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> ) anywho. sage (our pit mix) is usually extremely friendly to other people--to the point of being annoying. she's always jumping and licking and trying to get attention from strangers. but, since we've been here, she's been kind of aggressive. we took her to the park yesterday, and a guy wanted to pet her. we said ok, but when he let her sniff his hand, her mohawk went up, and she growled and barked at him. she did the same thing with a kid this morning. i'm really afraid she'll bite someone and then we'll have a lawsuit. what can we do about this behavior?? ive never seen her act this way before.<br><br><br><br>
the other one, miles davis, is acting really skittish. he's not really being as affectionate as usual, and he spends most of his time hiding under the coffee table. we are trying to take them out as much as possible, (for walks, to the park...) to help them get used to the new environment, but i'm really concerned for them.<br><br><br><br>
any advice?

 

[GhostUser]

Hi! I dont know if I have much advice for you, but I am in maryland and have a pitbull so I just figured I would say hi <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
About the weird behavior. Where you used to live, was sage friendly to everyone, or was socilaized with the same people? Maybe its because everyone here is strangers? Also, did he go to the same parks everyday? These parks arent familiar terroritory. You've only been here for a month, it takes time for dogs to settle in. Maybe he's just over whelmed by the move, the new place, ect. And the stress is making him act sorta agressive toward new people, like 'hey, man, im not in the mood!' Your other dog may just be scared because EVERYTHING is new. I say just give them some time to get to know everything, and in the meantime maybe invest in a humane muzzle for sage?

 

[freebird]

that's actually pretty good advice...what would qualify as humane?? i wanted to get the 'gentle leader' for her (she pulls me down the stairs when i'm walking her), but i know that's not exactly a muzzle. i would much rather her be muzzled than be put down because she snapped at the wrong person.<br><br><br><br>
where in maryland do you live? i live in the dc metro area (cheverly area) and i really love it. i have found 3 restaurants that are very vegan friendly and im stoked about it. (from texas--the only vegan food there is the salad bar).

 

[Amy SF]

I agree that perhaps the dogs need more time to get acclimated to their new environment. Also, perhaps they would benefit from something like Bach's Rescue Remedy which would help calm them down, especially if you take them into areas where there are strange people and other dogs. I suggest asking the vets at the animal hospital where you work for advice on that.

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>freebird</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
that's actually pretty good advice...what would qualify as humane?? i wanted to get the 'gentle leader' for her (she pulls me down the stairs when i'm walking her), but i know that's not exactly a muzzle. i would much rather her be muzzled than be put down because she snapped at the wrong person.<br><br><br><br>
where in maryland do you live? i live in the dc metro area (cheverly area) and i really love it. i have found 3 restaurants that are very vegan friendly and im stoked about it. (from texas--the only vegan food there is the salad bar).</div>
</div>
<br>
I'm in baltimore <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
I think a humane muzzle would be one that he can breath good out of, and can atleast drink out of. The basket muzzles always looked good to me <a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=basket+muzzle&hl=en" target="_blank">http://images.google.com/images?q=basket+muzzle&hl=en</a> theres a bunch of different types, most seem to be made out of leather..though there is a few that are made of other materials. Also, if you go to any local petstore they should have "mesh" muzzles that just go around the mouth but the very front is open so they can open up their mouth to drink and eat a small treat. But this leaves room for a small snap so you still have to be in gaurd! Good luck!<br><br><br><br>
Asking people at the animal hospital is a good idea <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> (which I wouldnt of reccomened if you didnt say you worked at a pitbull-friendly place)

 

[kpickell]

I don't like muzzles because they increase the dog's aggitation levels which can in turn increase their aggressive behavior. But, I do own one and will use it if I have to.<br><br><br><br>
I would let the dog get used to the area and become more comfortable there before letting anyone pet her. What you've described (shackled raised, warning growl) is fear. Keep in mind that directly approaching a dog head on is considered a major threat to a dog. Making direct eye contact with a dog is also considered a threat. And reaching out to pet a dog is also considered a threat to a dog. Add all that together and you have strangers, in a strange environment, rushing up with seemingly threatening behavior and the dog feels like it's going to be attacked and since she's stuck on a leash she can't run away.<br><br><br><br>
Once she's gotten more comfortable there, you can introduce her to people at work who are experienced with dogs (who know not to make eye contact and know to crouch down or sit on the floor when meeting a dog) and they can offer your dogs treats to build her trust again. I'm sure she'll be fine after a while if you can keep people from scaring her so much while she's still getting used to everything again.