Aggressiveness in response to submissiveness?

[DrKym]

Kim, I have to agree with Michelle here.
We both bred and trained what are considered "aggressive" breeds, because they excel in police work etc.

In this instance, the safety of the kids is highly jeopordized, I am sure Michelle remembers Conan a wonderful Rott import from Germany, he also had little tolerance for kids, and Rotts are usually wonderful with them. He was also placed (we are going back 15 years here guys), In a show home with no kids.

The behaviour you are describing is actually a fear type of aggression, I know it doesn't appear that way on the surface, but my guess would be that she got her butt whooped by a human or dog that appeared submissive. I.e. a person lying down, playing with her and all was well maybe a puppy nip set the human off who then yelled or hit or badly corrected the behaviour, or another dog that was on their back or in play mode that played too hard and hurt her.

Another thing to consider, if she is a mix of bully breeds, and you have no info on her past, it is very possible that some idiot used her in a bait situation, she now has a taste of dominance and safety in her mind so her fear creates the aggression issue with anything submissive, in other words she doesn't have the confidence to be dominant so agression is used.

Please be aware that this can escalate very quickly, and lets face it anything larger than a Pom (you all know what I mean) is a real threat to any child. My own dogs included if they were so inclined. The childrens safety is priorty here as you said. I would seriously consider helping her rehome this animal for her sake and for her human siblings sake.
Just my opinion.

Kym

[borzoimom]

your Conan- my "Amouph" ( pronounced am- off)...

[Giselle]

IMO, it sounds like she's a beta type dog. Never can get to Alpha-hood, but tries d@mn hard to get there. I read a bit about wolves and how they can shatter the pecking order as soon as a member shows the slightest weakness in body language, and this certainly reminds me of that scenario. Beta-type dogs are not true alphas. Therefore, they do use force and things can easily escalate to fights. They are also in constant fear of having their status revoked, so they do lash out and they do display what you see as aggression. My honest opinion is that there is no true alpha in this family and the dog is taking it upon himself as beta to protect his status, even if that means lashing at the subordinates (the children and submissive dogs). I would encourage the woman's children to take active parts in training and to put NILIF into high gear. I would also remind the woman that her dog needs its own space. I would NEVER allow any child to get near any sleeping dog, and I certainly would *never* allow any child or adult to get in any dog's face. That is a major breech of dog etiquette and I would go so far as to say that any resulting bite is not undeserved.

[mike001]

If it was my dog I wouldn't take a chance, I would rehome it. My kids would always come first. Accident waiting to happen.

[borzoimom]

I am afraid so- I agree with Mike001..