Our dog is scared of kids?

Question

We have a 9 month old puppy (lab mix), who is the sweetest thing in the world. She loves other dogs and other people, including strangers. However, she's terrified of kids. Our neighbor's 2 year old was a little brat who used to chase her around and even try to kick her, so we have a feeling that sparked her fear. We've tried to socialize her with as many kids as possible, but lately it's gotten worse.

For example, the other day, I had a little girl stand there and wait until my dog approached her before she petted her. My dog was curious about the girl and was even wagging her tail. But she would get close to the girl, then get scared and bark or growl. What can we do? We'd love for our dog not to be scared. Any tips?

Answer 1

You are on the right track with what you are doing. Have the children stand still and ignore her, but don't let them look at her or speak to her. Give the children a treat to hold for the dog while doing this and when the dog settles and trys for the treat have the child give it to her without to much contact. As time goes by your puppy will soon learn that not all children are there to pull her tail or chase her.

Answer 2

If you feel confident that your dog has a stable temperment, then take the dog somewhere there are children (it will take you and someone else.)...

Take some small treats. You hold the dog, and your friend takes the treats to some kids... The kids approach you and the dog... then you walk the rest of the way with the dog. If the dog is acting okay, tail wagging. Have the kids give the dog a treat. Eventually the dog will realize the kids just want to provide the same affection adults provide and will stop worrying about children.

You will have to be very careful. You don't want any accidents or to have a child (one that is too young) do something that might break that trust.

Never let your dog be around children unsupervised.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You are doing the right thing by socializing her and absolutely the right thing by allowing her to approach the little girl. It takes a lot longer for a dog to become unafraid of something than it did to become afraid so just keep up with what you are doing and give it some time. When you know you are going to be around small kids hand them some treats and do the same thing you are with letting her come to them but have them hold out the treat to her without looking at her or saying anything and let her take it and praise her. Once she overcomes the fear and knows that she will not be hurt or teased she will start to warm up to kids again. Good luck:>)

Answer 4

I had the same problem with one of my dogs. After living with your children, your lab will adjust to them and warm up to them, trust me. If it's still a puppy, it will grow with them, and learn to love them, if you give it time. Just make sure you children never do anything to hurt or scare the lab, and it should work. Try and get the dog interested with the kids, like have them throw a ball around, and the pup would most likely not resist the fun! Also, when it's the dog's feeding time, try having the kids place the food on the floor, or give the dog treats, so the pup knows that the kids just want to love the dog, not hurt him. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 5

Take your dog to some training classes so that you learn how to train her. This will also gve you an excuse to take her out on this 10 acre park to train her around the children. She will also get some exercise and an opportunity to get off of the chain. Teach her how to sit for a greeting so that the children can pet her and they can learn to be friends. A dog that's tied up all the time becomes very frustrated due to lack of exercise and over all boredom. Many dogs start guarding which can lead to aggression. She needs some training, exercise, and a job to make her more controllable which in turn will help with the barking problem.

Answer 6

Poor puppy. Kids are unpredictable and the dog is smart to be wary of them, they can really hurt a dog. I'm afraid the only way this could happen is if you had a baby that the dog could safely sniff and not be afraid of because it couldn't move around much and when it was more grown they could be friends. If you try to force it he may bite a child and you would not want that.

Answer 7

I would take him to obiance classes. They will give you advise on what to do. Also i have a question where were you when this 2 year old was kicking your dog? Is the lil girl comming to her yard and chasing her? This may also be why shes afraid. Did you tell the lil girls parents? where were they at? I am always around my puppy around any kid incase of anything like that and vise versa. To be there to take him out of that situation. I would definatly take him to a trainer..

Answer 8

well doza u need 2 train u r dog. as u mentioned it is only 9 month old and a mix lab u can train it easily.even i have a lab and is also very scared. but i trained him. he does not run away now. he stays der. u need 2 wait my frnd. he is still a baby dog and beating will not help. ma pup was scared 4 2 yrs and more. he wll be strong after sum years. let time pass by.

Answer 9

if your dog starts to bark at a kid just turn away from the child and walk five steps away then turn and walk toward the kid keep doing this till your dog stops showing signs of fear i saw this on a tv show and it really works

Answer 10

Every time you dog sees a kid and looks happy, treat her. Keep doing this. When a child pets her and she is happy (and looking at the child, that is IMPORTANT) treat her. Keep doing this. This will show her that she likes children and that they are good.
Best of Luck