New Dog Biting

Question
I got this new pom dog, she is a 5 years old female and has been through alot, Including being left alone outside for a few weeks.

I brought her home lastnight and she is starting to growl at people in the house and our other cats. I took her to the vet today, They gave her meds because she got sick when she was lesft outside (8 pound pom). Now the snapping seems to happen when she is tired. I have thought about it as myself and other people I know, we get tired and whe someon or something is bugging us we can say leave me alone I am tired. Is this her way of telling us to back off? She has been since I got her lastnight a angel. Listens to everything I say to her. I even had her in the pet store lastnight and she walked with me and listened when I tell her to sit, stay, come, laydown, go to crate.

my boss also said that when dogs are stressed out they pant alot? she does not have to even take a walk and has water in her, would this be true? The vet said she was ok besides having a little cold. Anything you can do to help me would be great. She is also a rescued dog

Answer
Hi Kimberlee, You are a good hearted person to take in this little dog. Dogs pant because they cannot sweat, it is a way of getting rid of the sweat due to exertion or stress. If you have made her a little cozy crate, leave the door open and put a goodie in it for her. Let her come and go as she pleases for awhile until she settles in to her new surroundings. Do not fuss over her, speak quietly and calmly, no high pitched noises as they stress dogs. Don't make eye contact with her yet as it is a show of dominance and you need to build trust before you address becoming her pack leader. Wait until she feels better before you correct her and take on the pack leader role, unless the biting gets worse. Ask visitors to your home to look away and not fuss over her for now. Don't worry about the cats, she will adjust to them and they to her. Ask your family members to follow these directives as well. If you hang a bell on the door, you can teach her to ring it when she needs to go outside for potty. Or for now, you can put her leash on and take her out on a regular basis. Going for long walks on the leash at the heel will do her well and help her to look to you as pack leader and someone she can trust. But remember a mile for a doberman is much easier than for a little pom, especially when she is not feeling well.  But walking at the heel exercises her mind and body at the same time and you can stop and let her "take a break" so she has relieved herself before she comes back inside. Try not to put human emotions into dogs, they do not have our emotions. Yes, she can get tired, stressed, sick... but bad behavior is bad behavior and she cannot be allowed to bite people or you are setting her up for an unhappy life. Her needs that have to be met are exercise, food, calm training, and lastly affection. Those are the needs of a dog, and in the dog world, that is what her mother would give her in that order. Please leave me some feedback and a follow-up so that I know how you are doing with her. I hope she feels well again soon and you enjoy your new relationship with her. Warm Regards, Susan