Looking for some advice on my 5 month old's behaviour. My girl Frankie (Purebred Australian Cattle Dog) has been socialized well with other dogs, and children and has an excellent nature. She's got all the typical qualities of an ACD and has been super cooperative and quickly learned not to bite people. However lately she's started to target one member of the household which has caused some issues.
We live with a 14 year old boy that has a highly functioning form of Autism. I mention the disease simply because it brings a lot of emotion to our situation and changes the understanding he has with the dog.
He loves to play with her and wants her attention, and she has been very good with him up until a few weeks or so ago. She's started to growl at him when he walks by if she has a toy, and when he goes to play with her it starts well but always ends in her nipping at his face or barking at him. It's difficult to explain to him why she's doing this, and to get him to change his behaviours as well. He's used to being around dogs that tolerate him, so this is new for both of them. He tends to make funny noises, and tries to play with her when she's laying quietly. I understand that her reactions are semi expected, however she's now started to go at him when he's done nothing to start it. It's almost as if now it is a habit for her.
I try my best to call her off, but I'm unsure what the best approach is when the nipping and angry barking happens.
It makes it extra hard that he takes it personally, says that he's the only one she barks at or nips at. He's getting frustrated and I don't want this negative pattern to continue. I also don't want the nipping to turn into actual biting.
To top it all off Frankie and I are currently guests in this house, in a transition period. It isn't ideal but it is what we have at the moment, so I want to make it the best experience for everyone in the house.
Any advice at all would be helpful. I have experience owning dogs but new to the ACD breed.
