I have a 4 y/o rescue St. Bernard, She was used as a breeding dog in an amish puppy mill for at least 3 years. When we adopted her she was underweight (90 pounds), had hookworms, smelled of urine even after 2 baths, and had her bum shaved because it was covered in feces. So obviously she did not have a good previous life. But She LOVES hugs, kisses, cuddles, and praise. She loves these things but only from myself and two other family members. She growls at my younger sister for trying to pet her. But it's only sometimes. It doesn't happen everyday, it doesn't even happen every week, even though my sister pets her daily. My younger sister can be a little in her face, so I have to tell her to back off a little bit and she does listen. But even when she is in her face, my dog doesn't growl. It's only occasionally which is why I don't know what to do. My mother is of the belief that you MUST punish a dog for growling, so she gets angry when I don't. She thought it was radical that I told her not to punish my dog for communicating. But last night my dog snapped at my sister when my sister was putting her face in my dogs and trying to kiss her. Now my mom is mad at my dog, not my sister. My dog does sometimes growl at my sister in what I would call an 'unprovoked' way.
From what I can remember, she has only ever growled at my sister when I am in the room. Could this be resource guarding? But how do I make this stop?
Do you know why she is doing this?
Thank you!
update: turns out my pup has a bad ear infection so we are treating that. i sat down ad really had a talk with my mom and showed her some of these responses and some articles and she is willing to learn and although it might take awhile, we are still getting there. my sister also was quite startled by the snap and is now a little more wary of my pup so thats (almost) a good thing. thank you guys for all of the responses, i appreciate them all.
From what I can remember, she has only ever growled at my sister when I am in the room. Could this be resource guarding? But how do I make this stop?
Do you know why she is doing this?
Thank you!
update: turns out my pup has a bad ear infection so we are treating that. i sat down ad really had a talk with my mom and showed her some of these responses and some articles and she is willing to learn and although it might take awhile, we are still getting there. my sister also was quite startled by the snap and is now a little more wary of my pup so thats (almost) a good thing. thank you guys for all of the responses, i appreciate them all.