<p>Which do I get rid of? 
Seriously, though, can older dogs become MORE aggressive? She was knitting and the dog started to go after her ball of yarn. She pushed him away with her foot and he bit her in the foot (3 puncture wounds). We’ve had a couple of issues in the past when we’ve tried to take food/bones away from him, but yarn?!!</p>
<p>This could be an indication of a health problem that’s bothering the dog. I would take him/her to the vet, especially if this happens again.</p>
<p>Was it a snarling deliberate bite or a trying to grab the ball of yarn and missed bite? My older dog is losing his sight and has on a number of occassions snapped at a ball or a bone that was getting away from him and nailed one of us. We played with the dogs all their lives, tug of war, tag, etc, he isnt as gentle anymore. We’ve stopped. He is also getting possessive over his food, toys, etc. I dont know if its aggression as much as insecurity and grumbling that comes with being old and uncomfortable. So I feed him seperate from the other dogs and we certainly announce ourselves before we reach to take his bowl or bone, etc.</p>
<p>Ouch! My daxy is also 11 years old. I definitely think he is getting more agressive. That guy gets cranky when I make him do what he doesn’t want to, taking a bath, giving up a bottle cap, being picked up. This list goes on and seems to get longer.</p>
<p>Definitely. Our older cocker got aggressive when he got older. We think some of it had to do with hearing loss. when he bit my husband who was “his” person we decided we had to have him put down. technically because he had bitten he was supposed to be quarantined first but the vet was accommodating since it was a member of our own family he bit. A dog who is a resource guarder can be dangerous as he or she ages…</p>
<p>If my springer steals food off the counter and then I try to ‘steal’ it back, I can get a similar response. You daughter is clearly not recognized as the alpha dog, so he is out of line by biting HER. She should have some skills and words that remind him each day that she is alpha over him. I am in the process of re-training my Springer to ‘leave it’ (don’t put that in your mouth) and ‘drop it’ (you took something, put it in your mouth, and now you need to give it back). My dog trainer says that my dog will be successful if I keep up the practice, and in the process, it reminds him that I am the alpha, even when a raw steak is on the counter. My dog is 8, by the way.</p>
<p>Been there with our lab who was 8. He bit my daughter not once but twice, unprovoked as far as we could figure out. We took him to the vet and had him checked over and nothing could be found, but because of his size the vet recommended that we put him down because of the potential for a serious injury. It was heartbreaking for all of us.</p>
<p>*She pushed him away with her foot"</p>
<p>Was it a gentle push? </p>
<p>My sister’s dog bit me a couple of weeks ago. I felt it was my fault. The dog had injured its paw, and I tried to look at it (with my face too close to his face). I know that dogs are very touchy about their paws. Got bit…right on the cheek. Luckily, no scars…lots of neosporin.</p>
<p>It’s hard to be definitive, not knowing the dog or the circumstances. But I’d say the warning flags are up. Schedule that Vet visit sooner rather than later, because it’s really hard to alibi two incidents.</p>
<p>I would be concerned about the health of the dog. Carefully examine him to see if there’s any spot she may have hit that was painful. Are the resource guarding issues new or is it a life-long thing? It’s never too late to work on them. I’m seconding the posts above to see a vet and make sure he’s all there. Good luck!</p>
<p>Our lab bit our then 5 or 6 yr old daughter in the face when she was a few years old.
But she had her face right down next to the dog, when the dog was sleeping. Outside of that, no other incidents.</p>
<p>I would wonder if daughter hit a sore spot- that is going to cause a reaction.I agree to get a good exam.
The yarn might have triggered an small animal chasing instinct- what sort of dog is it?</p>
<p>Toledo: antibiotic even if the dog has had his/her shots…apparently, dogs carry bacteria in their saliva that can be transmitted by wounds…</p>
<p>The dog did have ear infections a few weeks ago. Maybe I should have the vet check them out again. </p>
<p>D just told me she never even touched him with her foot. She just put her foot between the dog and the ball of yarn.</p>
<p>Dog is a pomeranian.</p>
<p>Toledo, now sure if this will help the problem, but our dog’s favorite toy is a “yarn ball” of sorts that is an actual dog toy. We got it at Giant Eagle and it is almost always his toy of choice. Seems to be something about the texture (he can chew on it for a long while (months) before any yarn comes loose) and the movement since it is a ball and rolls. He often will just rest it under his chin - “it’s mine!”</p>
<p>This of course doesn’t nip the biting overall, but might give doggie his own “yarn ball” to occupy him. :)</p>
<p>hmmm…I never realized a ball of yarn could be so appealing to a dog. Cats, yes, but dogs??</p>
<p>I believe this is the brand we have:</p>
<p>[Products</a> | Sergeant’s Pet Supplies- Your #1 Pet Care Choice](<a href=“http://www.sergeants.com/products/ProductCatalog.asp?one=1&two=69&three=188&pr=2965]Products”>http://www.sergeants.com/products/ProductCatalog.asp?one=1&two=69&three=188&pr=2965)</p>
<p>One of our dogs snapped at our then 7 year old son. She was the sweetest dog…huge and sweet. I took her to the vet…in the middle of a rainstorm. She had hip dysplasia that hadn’t been diagnosed. Pain pills ordered. She lived to be thirteen and never another incident.</p>
<p>Could be in pain, not feeling well.
Also could be losing its sight, smell and/or hearing, which makes a dog feel very vulnerable and defensive, and also causes the dog make mistakes.</p>
<p>BTW, is your 19 year old just back from college? Could be a reason for this, too- not recognizing her as a member of the pack anymore, jealous of attention she is getting and giving to others…</p>
<p>Please take the dog to the vet for a very thorough check-up!
And hope your D is ok!!!</p>
<p>Toledo: Maybe your dog really isn’t being ‘more’ aggressive but was just unaware of what your daughter was doing. Dogs can develop dementia just like people can as they age. It’s possible your dog isn’t as aware of what is going on around him due to his senses deteriorating. Your daughter may have spooked him and he just reacted. But I agree with other comments that you should have him checked by your veterinarian. Our dog is almost 13 and his hearing is terrible. We try and let him know when we come near by getting his attention visually so we are less likely to scare him.</p>
<p>That’s a nice yarn ball. I found my dog’s xmas present.</p>