Dogs and kids?

Question

My brother just moved(4 days) in with me, my 5 year old daughter and wife, he has a black lab great dane mix very big, about 100 pounds. The dog is fine with adults but for some reason the last 2 days he has been barking at my daughter usually when she is walking around. It doesnt seem to be agressive barking. the dog has never been around kids but according to my brother has never bit anyone or shown to be mean, Should I be concerned what can I do to stop this barking?

Answer 1

You have to watch his body language when he barks. Dogs have a very limited vocabulary, so barking is not necessarily aggression, he might just be asking your daughter to play with him.
If his shoulders are down, his ears up and his tail relaxed and wagging while he's barking, he wants to play. If his head is down (but not the shoulders) his back and legs stiff and his tail rigid (might still be wagging, so watch his posture), then that's aggression.
With this being a 100 pound dog, I'd keep an eye on him either way. His idea of play may be too much for a 5-year-old to take.
As far as getting it to stop, let your daughter get involved in the care of the dog. Once he's more accustomed to being around her and knows what he can and can't expect from her, he'll calm down.

Answer 2

Yes you should be concerned.

Dog is probably just the sweetest thing in the world. Don't get me wrong - most dogs - especially big dogs - love children and get along fine with them.

However, Dog isn't sure about his place in the pack. He's no longer in his familar territory, his pack leader is now second in command, his routine has changed - all in all his world has come crashing down.

Not to mention, here's this "thing" (your daughter) that acts like prey (running around, stoppng, moving suddenly etc.) and is cuddled and treated like a pack member so maybe she's another puppy - she's obviously acting like a puppy - but she acts like prey too...

So dog is thinking do I play with it? or do I eat it? I don't know.

Yeah. this is pretty confusing to a dog - who, has a measurable IQ of an average 5 year old.

Now remember, dogs only have mouths (complete with pearly-whites) to grab things - and they often mouth things to get an idea of what they are - just like people handling an object. This is still biting.

Also, since Dog weighs 100 pounds - 3 times what your daughter weighs, he might play pretty rough - and not realize that he could hurt your daughter.

I would take considerable time introducing Dog and Daughter. Always be watchful when Dog is around your child. He probably is a sweet, good natured pet - but right now he's really under stress - so he may surprise you.

Also, teach your daughter to always be gentle with Dog. Yes, even at 100 lbs - if daughter always plays gently with the dog, he will be less boistrous and less apt to knock her down or grab heras he would in more rauccus play.

Answer 3

The best way to train any animal in a situation like his is probably through the use of a squirt bottle (or gun, if you want to bring back those childhood memories of the days when you would harass your older sister by squirting her with your supersoaker!).

The thing you should do is pay attention to the dogs behavior. Does he only bark at her when she walks certain places? Or is he always barking at her when she walks?

First off, the dog may just be unsure of what is going on... "What is this little thing running around? Is it going to hurt me? Should i be afraid of it?"

Secondly, if the dog does not stop barking at her after being repremanded, try spraying him in the face with the water bottle as you repremand him (just do not spray him directly in the eye or nostrils, and make sure not to use pressured water. A squirt bottle with a solid stream of water should do the trick. If it stings to you, it will hurt to him, be careful!). He should learn quickly that along with the repremand, he will get squirted in the face. Most dogs hate this, and he should learn to associate barking at your daughter with a squirt in the face - a rahter unpleasant experience - and should stop eventually.

If the behavior doesnt stop after a while, you could talk to his vet about it, there may be a behavior issue involved.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

If it doesn't seem to be aggressive barking, it could be that the dog is just trying to get her attention. If the dog is not used to children, it could just be a bark of curiosity, to see how she reacts towards him. I would still be concerned, try seeing how the dog interacts with your daughter, stay close just to be safe.

Answer 5

This is a socialization issue!! The dog is barking because of fear. Do not let your daughter around this dog by herself. Make your brother get into an obedience club, and have him contact an animal behaviorist with this problem. If he does not, I would ask him to leave or place the dog.

Answer 6

Your dog may be anticipating a game with your daughter - does she play with him or help you with training?
Safety things to always keep in mind:
1. Never let your child climb on top of / sit on / get in your dog's face. Dogs do not like face-to-face contact with humans.
2. Never let your child tease or take things away from your dog. See the question from the lady who has taught her poodle to resource-guard.
3. Your daughter must always be under adult supervision when with the dog. Kids do stunningly inappropriate things to dogs. Please be careful.

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Yes, you should be concerned. Dogs are natural predators and pack animals. It sounds like he sees adults as part of his pack, but maybe not your daughter. He needs to be closely supervised around your daughter.

Answer 8

with an adult present, have your daughter let the dog smell her, so it feel more comfortable. then have your daughter command the dog. tell her to look the dog right in the eyes and in as deep and as strong a voice as she can do, tell the dog to sit... the dog has to see her as an athority figure, even if she is just a little girl.

Answer 9

You need to socalize him with your daughter.

supervised, controlled interactions between the two, with you and your brother present and acting as the leaders of the pack.

You need to let them interact together, but correct the dog when it does something out of line. Be very firm.

You need to set new boundaries and limitations between the dog and your daughter.

Everything should be fine, unless you take no action.

Answer 10

keep out side or just keep repremanding just cause it never bite anyone there is always a first time you do not want your daughter to be afraid of dogs also a large crate will do that is your house not theirs