I have a shepherd/lab puppy (6 months old) and whenever my son has a monster tantrum i.e. he starts yelling, hitting etc.... my dog goes crazy. He stars barking, almost as if he is trying to tell him to stop doing it. I don't want the dog to do this, so I once squirted him with water, and he stopped. Is he trying to protect me, or is he being aggressive?
2006-07-05 09:53:34 · 18 answers · asked by jmo74 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My son isn't hitting the dog, but he does hit me sometimes when he throws a tantrum. He's EXTREMELY hyper around the pup, and sometimes doesn't want to leave it alone.
2006-07-05 10:10:46 · update #1
The dog is seeing loud and violent movements and is imitating as best as he can or he could be frightened and ,as you say, telling your son to shut up. The water is a good idea. Don't you yell, just do the time out routine with your son, away from the dog and give him a sympathy pet when you come back in the room. Don't forget that labs do go through a long puppyhood. They become wonderful friends in about two years but as puppies they can be goofballs. Don't let either one think you are not the boss. Good luck Have paitence and all will get better with time. .
2006-07-05 10:44:53 · answer #1 · answered by Laura B 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If your son is hitting you and yelling at you, the dog could be trying to protect you, which could cause a problem down the road. Put the child in time out and put a stop to the tantrums. Dogs can be very protective of their owners, especially German Shepherds.
2006-07-05 09:59:51 · answer #2 · answered by gramawriter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one, it is a puppy. Puppies' bark when they get excited/scared or whatever. Obviously your son yelling/hitting is exciting the dog.
The dog is an animal, it is YOUR responsibilty to train the dog, they don't just magically become well behaved. If you don't want it to bark, sqirting it with water can work. Be consistant and squirt right as he is barking so he knows it is not ok. Don't ever hit the dog.
If your son is hitting the dog then make him stop and make sure he knows that is not ok.
2006-07-05 10:02:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy is reacting to abnormal behavior and senses something is out of control.
First off, you should never punish your dog, you should redirect him and correct him in a postive manner. Remove him from the situation and out of the room when he starts barking. And then correct your child for having a temper tantrum.
Spraying water will not work, because what are you really trying to teach him? Not to bark at all? He won't understand that it is this specific situation he is not to bark at. And if your child isn't throwing tantrums...he won't have anything to bark at.
2006-07-05 11:19:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog pick up "vibes" from the environment he is in. When your son is angry, the dog pick up anger/anxiety. He may also be protecting you.
And again - your dog may be sensing something you haven't. Have you spoken with your doctor about the tantrums? Could be something physical that the dog knows. Check with your doctor.
Again too, your son maybe scaring the wits out of him! After all, your dog is just a puppy!
2006-07-05 10:02:42 · answer #5 · answered by Blond Logic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More then likely, since the dog is still a puppy, your child's tantrums make him nervous. You should get it under control and if the sraying works, then stick with it. Eventually, he'll get used to it, or your son will grow out of the tantrums!
Good luck
2006-07-05 09:57:37 · answer #6 · answered by s_sill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is your answer, your son sometimes hits you, your dog is telling him to stop do not hurt my mommy. Your son is the one that needs to stop. The tantrum is a aggressive act, your dogs is doing what his instincts tell him to do. paddling a kid is not abuse did not hurt me and did not hurt my niece and nephew both of which grow up to be great people. The problem you have is your son not your dog.
2006-07-05 11:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by raven blackwing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be more worried about my sons tantrums than the dog barking.
2006-07-05 10:04:33 · answer #8 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should you discipline the dog? Why not discipline the boy for screaming and Oh My God, hitting? Maybe your puppy is trying to tell you something. Animals are a lot smarter than what we credit them to be.
2006-07-05 09:59:43 · answer #9 · answered by Mary C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs react at the moment at hand just like cats do.
We had a cat that didn't like us raising our voices either she'd get mad at us and meow in a way to let us know to stop.
The pup is just letting your son know to smarten up.Their like a parent in a way you might say.
They also bark at anything like moving cars theat go by to fast or someone running passed them instinct.
2006-07-05 10:46:48 · answer #10 · answered by B J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋