Hi, I have an 18 month old Basset Hound, who I sometimes let drink out of the toilet. She loves it, and she's a big water drinker. Last night, after she had gotten quite a bit of water, I proceeded to move her to the floor and away from the toilet. She growled at me! What should I do? Why did she do it? How do I nip this in the bud???! We're going to have children very soon and I am worried!!! Please help!!! One- don't let her drink out of the toilet - I never have understood this one... Do you let her lick you after that?
It's not very sanitary and could cause serious stomach issues from e-coli and other germs. Why not just give her a big bowl to drink from?
Second - it sounds like she may have food aggression issues. Does she do this with her food or water bowl? I know a toilet is not food per se, but she may see it as her water source and doesn't want you to near it. I'd say try reaching slowly for her food bowl, very slowly and maybe even with a glove on a stick or something like that ( go real slow as she may snap at you or even bite you).See if she seems to growl. If so consult an animal behavorist or trainer in your area as it can likely be dealt with.
Also - She may have just been comfortable and not want to be distrubed. If it was a half-hearted growl not followed with any real aggression I'd likely not be too concerned unless it continues or is demonstrated in other ways like with her food. I have three dogs two of which simply don't want to be messed with when they lay down to rest. They will growl at me if I move them or bother them. I scold them and they always immediately submit and become very affectionate and try to "make up" to me.
Last - If you have children I still assume it will be at least a year or so before they are big enough to interact with your dog - even then I assume they will never be alone and that you will teach them to respect the dog's space and such. Too many people seem to foget that dogs do have a right to have some limits to what children are allowed to do to them and more often people seem to assume that a dog that has been nice to them will immediately tolerate a child. This is not a safe assumption nor is it fair to the dog. They are pack animals and must be gently taught that the child is above them in the pack. This can be done gradually with limited exposure at first and most often can lead to successful cohabitation as long as they are always supervised and the dog is respected and not expected to tolerate ear pulling and such.
Again - I'd consult a animal behaviorist in your area. Its' not that expensive and since you have already taken on the responsibility of the dog I think you owe it to her to try to see if you can make it work. Most likely it will. I think letting your dog drink water from the toilet is wrong... because the most percentage where bacteria resides in the house is in the toilet... She growled at you simply because you tried to stop her from what she is doing from which you had spoiled...
Well you really should be giving extra attention to your pet... giving time to her makes her tame... because by doing it she is being used to relating with humans...
hoping you will be able to resolved this matter because from the time you already have your children having a pet will also give good training and psychological to your kids...
Thanks... First discontinue letting her drink from the toilet...as convienent as it may seem it is a bad idea. Keep the seat down and scold her when she tries to get near the toilet.
I think the reason she growled is simply because she was used to doing something that you had allowed her to do and she had no other way to show her discontent with you other than a simple growl.
Has she shown other signs of a bad temper? If she has not then I would not worry too much but I would work on getting her child ready! That means getting her aquainted with children and the things that children will do to her.
I have two bassets that we did this with and it worked like a charm, they put up with a wonder of things from our kids and we haven't had the first aggression problem.
I hope that this helps! | 