by Brooke
(CA)
I have a a husky mix, named Marley, who will be 3 in Jan. We adopted him at 6 months and he quickly became my ESA and more recently my service dog. Detecting and alleviating anxiety/panic attacks.
I take him everywhere with me. We've been in all kinds if situations and environments. He's never shown any signs of aggression towards anybody. Being disabled I live in a trailer in my moms backyard. For a week now and for the next 5 weeks my step brother, his wife, and their 2 kids, who are 3 and 6, are staying at my mom's. Marley is familiar with both kids, though he's not used to them being around all the time. But I do have a 10 year old who he's with all the time. Marley is generally fantastic with children putting up with everything kids do. However, twice this week Marley has bared his teeth at my nephew, the 3 year old. Granted my nephew you can antagonanistic, but Marley should be used to it.
The first time it happened, I was standing right there and my nephew wasn't doing anything to him, just being rowdy. The second time I wasn't home, but my daughter said he was messing with Marleys paws (as no adults were paying attention to him). Marley has tender feet due to allergies, but again this type of behavior from a child is not unusual.
My daughter and two nieces, for as long as I've had him, have played with him, tied him up, pretended he was a baby, hair chalked him, and made him a part of their various games. We've never seen this behavior from Marley, and it's very concerning, and I'm not sure what to do other than to keep him and my nephew separated. But that's not a means to an end. I can't have a service dog who might snap randomly at a child.
Any insight or suggestions are welcome.
Thank you.
Comments for Help!!! Perplexed.
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