My dog, Copper, is a 3 year old Lab/Jack Russell mix. She lives alone with me and my husband. She is very affectionate, smart, and behaves well when she is just with adults, the problem is with children. Not all children, just our nephews, ages 1 and 2. Most of the time she's great with them, lets them look at her and pet her, but occassionally she growls at them. She's never bitten anyone and I hope to keep it that way. We are all very cautious when the kids are around the dog and we instruct them on how to treat animals so I hope in a couple more years this won't be a problem any longer. I am really hoping to find a solution that doesn't involve completely seperating the kids and Copper...any thoughts or ideas? I do plan to discuss it with our vet ASAP.
2007-01-18 16:02:46 · 8 answers · asked by jilldaniel_wv 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Enroll your pup in obedience class for better socialization. Most dogs are fine with what their environment deals out to them when they have been raised with it. If you dog has not been raised with children ( and children are a great initiate of bring out PREY instinct, because they RUN) then she needs to spend more time with the small, screaming animals that we call children today!
It is all going to come down to how much time you are willing to put into socializing her to young children. I have one dog that immediately chases anything that runs... He is a hybrid and that is his natural instinct. I can retain his focus through obedience ( I just tell him to sit/down/stay when he goes out on a trip) when this happens. Kids like to "tease" dogs..for some reason this is a natural thing these days, but you have the technology to make this work through obedience training. Good luck!
2007-01-18 16:16:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay - You need to stop this immediately. If you have to simply lock your dog away whilst the children are in the house then this is what you have to do. A dog is a dog - Children are of the most important. You should get your dog neutred and you should be stern with the dog if it growls again. I suggest you take the alpha role here and really make your dog understand that this is not acceptable. I suggest you put your dog on a lead when they are in and evertime it growls pull on lead and shout no! Personally if my Akita was growling at children I'd get rid of it. People should always be more important than dogs regardless of breed. You must socialise your dog with people and other dogs a lot.
ALL THE BEST - I KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM - I HOPE THINGS WORK OUT - IF YOUR DOG'S BITE GET THEM PUT DOWN STRAIGHT AWAY.
2007-01-18 21:45:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its important that your dog understands that the children are higher up in the social heirarchy, and that any agression towards them is dealt with. Affection towards them should be praised.
When your nephews are around, keep your dog on a short leash attached to a non-choke collar. If at any point she growls, take your foot and place it on the leash. Slide your foot up the leash, bringing the dog's head to the ground. This is not harmful, but it's the dog equivalent of "drop and give me 20". Practice this without the kids around so the dog gets used to it. Stay standing with both feet on the leash (and the dogs head on the ground) until she relaxes. Its an extremely effective way of teaching a dog that whatever they are doing is not acceptable.
2007-01-18 17:34:21 · answer #3 · answered by pj_anykid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog(a sheltie) was 10 years old before she was around any children for more than a minute or so, then my nephews moved closer to our home(ages 2 and 3) and she was very unsure of their place in the pecking order, she would growl and such and they were kids being kids and she didnt like it at all, then about a year passed of here seeing them at least weekly she recognized their postion and somehow she understood that there rough handling was really affection and they were actually on the same status level as me in the pack. she became very very loyal toward them and adored their every touch.
of course use caution but i also think time will change your dogs view
2007-01-18 16:24:19 · answer #4 · answered by Eric J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the chances of Copper biting one of the kids is pretty great. the kids don't know how to treat a dog (pull their whatever/step on their whatever/hit them) you can't stop the kids from doing that-their memory isn't good enough to remember not to. and the dog isn't used to kids-and it's HIS territory. there is the possibility of one of the kids getting bitten badly (not hard, but in a bad spot. an example being a kid falls on the dog (at one he/she isn't too stable) or sticking their head into the dogs face. to solve this problem you will need to either separate them-I can promise you the dog will not like that (1) you're locking him up and (2) you're separating him from HIS people or you will need to watch the kids VERY closely (and that's likely to anger the parents-after all their children and he's ONLY a dog (that's likely their thinking))
2007-01-18 16:18:02 · answer #5 · answered by dulcrayon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JRTs are not known for their friendliness towards small children. So there might be the biggest problem.
Good for you for discussing it with your vet. It is an awesome start. I would recommend, until talking with the vet, i would avoid allowing the boys to play with Copper, just in case. Better to avoid a problem than to have to clean one up later.
2007-01-18 16:12:48 · answer #6 · answered by Carrey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm fairly sorry to declare this,because of the fact i be attentive to how linked we can get to out canines,and we consistently attempt and see the perfect in them and supply them each hazard.yet you have stated it your self,no canines is properly well worth the prospect. you heavily isn't waiting to coach your returned in this canines for even a 2d whilst your infant comes,purely think of how stressful and not common that is going to be for the two you and the canines. What approximately whilst your infant is older and desires to play out returned? i actually think of that the kindest element you're able to do is discover him a house the place there will be no youthful infants.I even have an 8 year previous pitbull and a 2 year previous boy,i would not have faith a canines that growls at infants. Sorry. am i able to easily say that i've got self belief that no healthful canines must be positioned to sleep,particularly that the properly suited homestead must be discovered.A canines of this length with aggressive tendancies isn't the canines for a family members with youthful infants.
2016-10-31 12:10:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she growls at them...better muzzle her when kids are around.
Otherwise you could be prosecuted if the dog attack any kid and you knew it was agressive towards children.
2007-01-18 16:13:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋