My 6 month old lab growls at my son?

Question

I have a 6 month old black lab named bailey..he is great around me and my spouse, but when my 6 yr old son tries to pet him, bailey does a little growl. Only showing his bottom teeth. I was told that bailey is just trying to be the "alpha male". I was also told that my son should be the one that tells the dog "no". Well, I tried that today, and when my son said "no", baileys little growl turned into a big growl, showing all his teeth. I dont know what to do. Im a little frightened. My son doesnt even want to be around him now. What do I do? I've had enough with him growling at my son. Please help

Answer 1

Hi..if your son is the only one the dog is growling at...is it possible your son hurt the dog? Probably not want you want to hear but dogs don't growl for nothing. Watch and see. Good luck

Answer 2

Your dog has issued a warning to you, letting you know that he is uncomfortable with your son. Be very thankful that your dog started with a warning instead of just biting. DO NOT PUNISH YOUR DOG FOR GROWLING. All that will teach him is that growling is a bad idea, and next time he's uncomfortable he may just decide to bite instead.

Keep your dog separated from your son, and contact your local animal shelter for a recommendation for an animal behavior specialist. This is a VERY serious issue and must be addressed by someone with special expertise, not just any old dog trainer. Anyone can call himself or herself a 'behaviorist' or 'dog trainer', so look for one with real credentials or one who is recommended by a shelter.

Young children do many things that make dogs uncomfortable, including staring directly into a dog's eyes, hugging, and petting on top of the head or shoulders - all of which are direct threats if they come from another dog. Growling in response to those actions or one of the many other things that kids do that can make dogs nervous is not necessarily a sign of dominance. Only a professional behaviorist who has seen and evaluated your dog IN PERSON can tell why your dog is responding the way he is, and recommend appropriate treatment.

DO NOT listen to advice about dominating, punishing, Alpha-rolling (rolling a dog onto its back) or 'whooping' your dog - creating an association in your dog's mind between the child and punishment can make things much worse. Consult a professional.

Here's a link for Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists: http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory

Here's an article on finding a behaviorist:
http://www.doggonesafe.com/training%20resources.htm

Getting familiar with doggy language - a link that has pictures that show how to tell a dog is uncomfortable in a situation and a child should leave the dog alone:
http://familypaws.com/communication/

Dog Bite Prevention:
http://www.doggonesafe.com/dog%20bite%20prevention.htm

Answer 3

You need a lot more training - and done with your son there.

I recommend training classes with a professional and done with your son. Explain to the trainer what you said here.

You are right - Bailey is trying to be the boss, at least the boss of your son. But he should be at the bottom of the pack, not at the top or even in the middle.

Training classes will teach you how to be the "alpha", so that when Bailey growls, YOU, as the alpha, tell him no. Having your son say "no" doesn't do much good. YOU have to tell him "no" so Bailey learns who is the boss. Training will help you with this. Training will also help you teach him properly (no yelling, scolding, hitting, etc.).

Good luck!

Answer 4

Mabe have your son , if he is old enough to feed and walk the dog. Also, have your son give him treats. Only your son. This helped when my son was born with my 5 year old Akita that had never been around children before. When he was old enough to be in a walker, I put cookies and treats in my son's hand and the dog would walk up and gently take the treats out of my sons hands. My son is now 8 years old and my dog 13, to date he has never growled or bit my son.However, the treat thing with the dog really stuck, at breakfast this morning, my son got up to get a drink and when he returned the dog had eaten all his breakfast!!!!:)

Answer 5

As soon as the pup growls, tell the pup "No" and put the pup on it's side/back so it's belly is showing... Let your son pet him while the dog is in that position. That shows the pup the pecking order.

Also, does your son pull the dog's tail or ears? Does he bully the dog? The dog could be reacting to how your son treats him (the pup).

Also, your son can "bribe" the dog with a treat now and then so the dog sees your son as a good thing, but the pup is young enough to respond to the belly rubbing from your son.

Answer 6

Your puppy and your son are both competing for you and your spouses attention. Sad but true. Your puppy is jealous. You need to get your son to continue with the "no" but you and your spouse need to do it too. Remember that your son is your son and the puppy is a dog!!!!!!!! A pet, not a member of the family. When the boundries are established and reinforced, you will find that the two will be inseperable, if you don't, you may as well get rid of your dog now.

Answer 7

show your dog who's the boss, since it's a puppy it just might feel jealous of your son, try arranging time both parents and child with the puppy so it gets use to your son and know he's not a threat but a future buddy,hope that helps,Good Luck,but give the puppy a chance or training will do

Answer 8

Kibbi21, PLEASE SHUT UP! Anyway, I would whoop that dog's *** a couple of times. He'll get the point. I can understand a growl if your son were hurting him but regardless, who's more important? The puppy or your son?

Answer 9

Either take it to a professional trainer or get rid of it before it hurts your son--I raise Dobermans--That is a VERY AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR--never to be tolerated with your son or anyone else!!

Answer 10

you might try to say no when he does that maybe baily just doesnt like kids some dogs dont