can a snappy pomm-sheltie mix be saved?

Question
Hello Trish,

My wife and I have a sheltie pomm mix. We got her from the pound, and she is approximately 1.5 years old, (but still acts like a puppy, it seems).

Over the past 10mos, she has snapped at my wife probably 2 - 4 times. From memory:

1. One workday morning, as my wife was attempting to pick her (Abby) up off of the couch and put her in her cage, she bared her teeth and snapped.

2. Last nite, after a weekend that Abby spent with one other dog (Sheltie) a 2yr old and a 6yr old - Abby crawled up on the couch with the two of us to sleep. When my wife bent down and got near her face to talk to her she snapped again - and I believe made physical contact with my wife's cheek (did not leave a mark or break the skin).

My wife is worried because we have a baby on the way (February). Is there cause for concern? What is your suggestion?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

Answer
I would be concerned with a baby on the way.  At her age I think it may be something she is doing because of the way she may have been treated before you got her.  You can try reprimanding her and kenneling her when she behaves this way.  Scolding too severly may cause her to snap more since she will be feeling cornered or like she has to defend herself.  I have a 5 year old Pom I rescued and she snaps when she feels cornered and if a man gets too close to her.  We have had to tell our 3 older kids (10, 8 & 5)not to approach HER, let HER come to them for attention and once she has come to realize they mean her no harm she comes to them for petting.  They still have to let HER be the one to decide when she gets petted, though.  After living with us for about 5 months she will come to my husband when we are all on the couch together and she wants attention.  But, she gets defensive if she is approached too quickly or by someone she is not yet comfortable with.  
Sometimes dogs choose who they want to be around and try to distance themselves from anyone else.  This is to be discouraged when you have kids since kids will always want to pet a dog.
I am sorry, but I would be afraid to have her around a baby who pulls and grabs so I would keep her away from the baby till you know for sure she is past this snapping and baring her teeth.  It sounds like the snapping is not her intention to hurt, but to warn that your wife is getting on her nerves or too close for her comfort.
You might try to remind her that she is not the boss in your home, speak firmly to her but try not to make her feel more threatened.  Once she has been corrected, soothe her as best you can in a calming voice.
I hope my experience with a dog like this has some help for you.
Good luck with her and with patience and supervision it may just work out for you all.  Just make sure she is supervised at all times with an infant.
-Trish Inman
Gemini Poms
www.geminipoms.com
503-357-6157