Why does Muffy hate me?

I'm 13 years old, my family's Maltese is about 3. I have never hurt her in any way. She has a bad attitude in general, but she only snaps at me. Sometimes all I do is walk past the coach she's sitting on and she bears her teeth and growls at me. She's never done that to my mother, in fact she's glued to my mother, she follows her wherever she goes and loves her to death. She doesn't do that to my 11 year old brother either. Nor to my dad. The little rat snaps at me when ever I come near her. She actually bit me a few weeks ago. It left a scar! Someone help! She's just so cute, It's terrible that she is such a devil:(
Lesley

• Hi Lesley, I too have a Maltese who "hated" me. He would growl & bark at me, but never acted this way towards my husband or my children. I finally corrected the problem by showing him that I was boss & he wasn't going to win. Apparently, Pepper sensed my fear & tried to take advantage of the situation. You'll be glad to hear that he is now my friend. He sits on my lap and watches t.v. with me all the time now and has stopped the growling & barking. Discuss this problem with your parents & maybe they can help you solve it. I know my being boss seemed to work with Pepper.
  Pepper

• I think dogs can sense if someone doesn't like them or is afraid of them. Muffy probably doesn't respect you. I would try everytime you see her tell her how pretty and wonderful she is. Maltese know what you're talking about. And offer her a treat of some kind. Always speak to her in a gentle, but firm voice and she'll know who's boss. I had a boyfriend once who called my dog "little white rat" well, of course I was offended, but she was really offended. She would not go near him and when he would talk to her she would just stick her nose up in the air, like "I am too good for you" my boyfriend now, loves her and tells her all the time how pretty and sweet she is, he also feeds her alot of the time too. She loves him to death and stays at his house and sleeps on his pillow. Dogs know if you like them, so try to win back Muffy's friendship! Good Luck!
  Taram

• I really don't think your dog "hates" you just maybe doesn't have respect for you. When you approach her and she snarls, shows her teeth etc she does this because she "knows" you are afraid and will back down. Now I am not saying stick your hand right in there and get bit but letting her know that you will NOT be bullied anymore will help. Approach her and if she growls, say CUT IT OUT! in a low voice. Another "challenge" to a dog is eye contact. Look at your dog if she starts to make a fuss. KEEP looking at her and DO NOT look away until SHE DOES. This is a great challenge to a dog and eventually you will have a stare down and whoever looks away first is considered the "loser." This is a great exercise if you do it properly. Once the dog looks away give her lots of praise and even a little treat. Also if your dog stops when you say NO CUT IT OUT give her a treat and say GOOD DOG! Because you have become fearful, and back away each time she starts she considers herself above you in the pack order. You are in a sense submitting to her by backing off. Understand? Also standing over your dog is another good way to show you are boss. Placing your hand on top of her neck/shoulders is a sign of dominance. Please try these suggestions and get back to us on how you are doing.
  PUG

• By this time you might be well on the way to making friends, but in case things are still a little tense, here's a good idea that has worked for me and others: Ask your mom if you can feed Muffy for a couple of days - this way you're in charge, and Muffy will NEED you! Follow the advise of the others also, and I bet you make a new friend!
  Vikki