We just acquired a bassett that had been in "foster care" - meaning he'd been given away, new owners didn't take care of him, and he wandered off. We spoke with folks who found him and brought him home a few days ago. Twice in the last 3 days he's snapped (okay, bitten) our 13 year old son. Luckily, the bites didn't really connect with his skin, but clearly this isn't to be tolerated.
I'm really not sure what's going on here, but we'd heard that he was good with children. Hmmm... We are assuming that he's trying to figure out his place in this new "pack" and he's trying to be dominant over our son. Normally they get along great. The first time our son touched him when he was sleeping and he snapped - okay, I can understand that...first day in our house - scared. Second time was this evening. We were all in the kitchen (yes, food smells) and our son was petting his head and under his chin (which he usually loves) - making playful noises at the dog and kind of leaning over him - but not right in his face. Dog snapped, grabbed his jacket sleeve and hung on growling. We sternly told him NO - okay, maybe yelled - and put him outside for a "time out". When he came in, he seemed apologetic and was just fine with our boy petting him.
What help can you experts offer on how to correct this behavior? We really want to keep this dog, but can't have this going on!
I'm really not sure what's going on here, but we'd heard that he was good with children. Hmmm... We are assuming that he's trying to figure out his place in this new "pack" and he's trying to be dominant over our son. Normally they get along great. The first time our son touched him when he was sleeping and he snapped - okay, I can understand that...first day in our house - scared. Second time was this evening. We were all in the kitchen (yes, food smells) and our son was petting his head and under his chin (which he usually loves) - making playful noises at the dog and kind of leaning over him - but not right in his face. Dog snapped, grabbed his jacket sleeve and hung on growling. We sternly told him NO - okay, maybe yelled - and put him outside for a "time out". When he came in, he seemed apologetic and was just fine with our boy petting him.
What help can you experts offer on how to correct this behavior? We really want to keep this dog, but can't have this going on!