[Lyn862]

I adopted a shelter dog 3 weeks ago today. Oliver is a terrier cross and is a small 13 pounds. I took him to the vet directly from the shelter. He is barely one year old and has been on his own for quite some time. He received vaccinations at the vet and I took him home to remove all the mats he was covered with.

Several days later, he developed an infection in his foot. He had an abcess that went the length of his foot and an inch up his leg. The vet sedated him and cleaned the abcess, inserted a drain, and started Oliver on antibiotics. The vet said the infection was caused by pin grass that worked it's way in between the toes.

A week later, Oliver returned to the vet to be neutered.

So after two and a half weeks, I thought we were settling in. Oliver is delightful and doing well with his crate training.

My daughter who is 25 years old came home for an extended weekend visit. Oliver acted happy to see her and have her pet him. About 4 times, as she passed close to him, he yelped, the sound a dog makes if you step on a foot or something. At first, I didn't know it was related to my daughter and couldn't figure out what had happened. As it became apparent that it was Erica, I still did not interpret the sound as aggressive.

Then last Sunday night, we were sitting, just talking. Oliver was on a leash since we are crate training. I had the end of the leash and he was over standing up against her leg and she was petting him. Suddenly he began snarling and bit her. I was shocked and jerked the leash pulling him back to me. I asked her what happened and if she was okay. He didn't break the skin but did leave a red mark on her hand. While we were talking, maybe one minute after the initial aggression, Oliver lunged at my daughter again. This time I stopped him with the leash before he was half way to her. I picked him up and put him in his dog box (a pet carrier.)

Now I need to hear the voice of common sense. I am so confused. Does the dog need to be put down? Because of all the trauma in Oliver's life (the shelter and two surgeries in less than three weeks time) does he need some time to be socialized and it is too early to tell what kind of dog he is?

Everything I read says "consult a dog trainer immediately." And while I cannot argue with this, I live in rural Idaho, and money is an issue. Please give me your thoughts.

[Corky/Max]

Have to tell it like I see it--Sorry! I cringed when I saw how much this poor puppy has been subjected to in just a week's time and also that it was so immediate before he had time to adjust to his new surroundings (including you). I hope a Rabies shot wasn't given at same time as all the other (and too many at once) vaccinations! I know the infection needed to be taken care of now but the neutering could of waited. This dog's immune system has got to be overly compromised!! And he only weighs 13#s too. When he was 'sedated'---Do you mean anesthesia--like what was also done for the neutering? That would be a 'double whammy' also! Vaccinations, esp. Rabies can cause agression reactions and other type reactions too and this can happen not only right away but months 'down the road' And I hope you don't have him on Rimadyl (meds for pain) as this is a very dangerous drug that could kill the dog!

On another note (although could very much be related to all of the above!!)--
Has this dog been around any other people since you got him home other than your daughter? Do you live alone? Your daughter was there for a longer period of time than anybody else (except you)? This dog may have social issues but it has been through a lot since you got him and prob. just too much all at once--esp. if there are health issues, meds, vaccinations, surgery, that may still be having an affect on his mental (as well as physical)
well being. Hope things get better. And please no more vaccinations (Rabies)
until you have to (Law)! Sounds to me like another uncaring vet.If your dog was put on Rimadyl or any other harsh drug---I hope your vet did blood work 1st to check especially the liver and kidney functions because they are suppose to before giving these 'killer drugs'!!! And it keeps sticking in the back of my mind about the yelping like it was in pain ----I'm wondering if it was in some kind of pain and not feeling well! If he keeps acting 'not healthy' and esp. if no blood work was done--I'd be getting some blood work done and from a 'better' vet! And if he is on Rimadyl (another name for carferon--not spelled right!) I'd get him off of it now if he never had blood work done for sure!! It could be damaging the liver beyond repair and you wouldn't know it until the dog just up and died!

Sorry if I am blunt but I love dogs and can't stand to see anything happen to them!

[Yogi]

A dog biting one person is not necessarily a reason to put a dog down. If so, half of the dogs I rescued would not be with me. Too much emphasis on not knowing the difference between aggression and defensive aggression. Obviously this pup has gone through a great deal in a short time and therefore needs space and time with a great deal of patience. He does not need attention from anymore than you. He is in the bonding stage and therefore could see your daughter as competition for attention and therefore is confused. Though he appreciates her petting him he may resent it at the same time. Terriers themselves can be a handful as they were not bred as house pets. I would just have the 2 avoid each other and let the dog acclimate itself to the new surroundings and you and give it time. Good luck.

[Lyn862]

Thank you for the feedback. I will give Oliver more time. I was so worried and I do want to be a responsible pet owner. Oliver seems healthy and playful. He is so cute.

Oliver was not given any pain medication or any of the worrisome drugs listed. My household consists of my husband, my 17 year old son, and myself. My daughter has gone home (she visits several times a year) and there has been no more yelping from Oliver.

Time is a good thing. Especially with a dog.