Corinna,

I really have no idea. How often is your daughter around
Merlin? Maybe he senses her fear/distrust of him. I sometimes
let my neighbor lady look in on Buddy (in my house) if I had to
go out of town, but Buddy knew her face & her voice. He always
barked very loudly if anyone came to the door, so I told her to
always call out his name & be talking to him when she opened
the door. (No surprises for either of them). He wouldn't eat when
I was gone, but always when out to do his business,etc., just
fine. Buddy was very protective of his house, but not aggressive
with people. If I accepted them, so did he. Is Merlin like that?