My dog snaps and growls at my children!?

Question

I have three kids, ages 6, 3, and 2. I also have a 3 year old Lhasa Apso. Shes a tiny, 12 lb dog, but she is constantly snapping and growling at my kids. She was fine as a puppy, but shes getting really bad about it. Im afraid shes going to bite them. If shes laying on the couch and they just walk by, she growls. What should I do? The dog is very sweet to me, just doesnt like my kids.

Answer 1

Your dog is exhibiting a defensive posture against your children because they are obviously teasing the poor dog when you're not looking....

Get rid of your children...adoption...give them away..whatever...
so your dog can finally have some peace...poor thing.

The dog is "very sweet" to you simply because when you're around it feels it's being protected from those juvenile offenders.

It's NOT the dog that needs training and discipline...

Answer 2

You need a dog behaviorist that will teach you and your kids to be the alpha in the house. A dog that thinks she is higher in the pack order than other people in the house will growl/snap at them. She shouldn't be on the couch with an attitude like this...the alpha dog takes the highest sitting/resting place, so this reinforces her feeling that she is the alpha dog.

You either need a dog behaviorist (one that will visit your home and see how you and your family handle the dog), or you need to get rid of her. One day if she is not corrected right now, it is a guarentee that she will bite them.

Answer 3

Well, you are probably going to get some very nasty comments from other people, i did when i asked about my dog that bit one of my kids. I can honestly say that i have gotten my dog to a point where i almost have the same kind of trust in her as i did before. If you cant get a trainer to help you, start doing some basic pack heirarchy rearranging, dont let the dog on the sofa, thats reserved for important family members. Whenever she growls or snaps, put her in a 'time out' area, where you can ignore her for 10-15 mins, thats all the punishment she will need from the alpha member. Re-establish your role as pack leader by starting to train her over again, walk her at your side and at your side only and dont let her try to pull you around, you walk out the door first and if any of your children are going on the walk with you, they walk out first, dog last. Feed your dog after everyone else has eaten their meals. The dog only gets your attention when you want it and if she tries to demand your attention, ignore her, then wait until later then play or cuddle her. Get your kids to help feed her by putting the bowl down only once the dog has sat for them and has waited patiently. There are tons of things you can do to establish your control of the situation.

It honestly sounds to me like the dog thinks of the children as below her in the pack hierarchy, therefore they have no right to approach near her unless she has invited them. You will really have to stick to your guns, and trust me, i know how hard it can be to break yourself and the dog of the habit of being on the furniture, just keep saying 'no' and push her off, she might be a bit put out (the faces, my god the looks you will get), but stick at it and soon your kids will be in the upper echelons of the pack and the dog will be at the bottom where she should be. The most important thing is the time out when she growls or snaps, as soon as you hear or see it, say 'no' and pick her up and put her in her 'disgrace spot', and ignore her for a while, but dont let her move, then you have to invite her away from her spot, and treat her as though it never happened.

Good luck and i hope you sort out this situation, and congrats on recognising the problem before it got nasty, its not pleasant having to contemplate getting rid of your beloved pet, trust me i know, but i hope you find what you need to make the family work.

Answer 4

everytime she does it take your hand and kind of push/ pinch (no not hard) her and if she trys to bite u do it agian she will get the message it works very well...if she is only 12 pounds she won't really hurt your kids (like a scrach big deal) and honestly somtimes your kids might need some training with a dog too...like don't ride the dog don't tease the dog and don't scare the dog remember it is an animal and your kids may not be treating it like it is a living thing

Answer 5

You should call a professional dog behaviorist/trainer right away. You don't want this to get out of hand. If she used to be fine, I'd say either your kids are upsetting her when you aren't looking, or she's ill and needs medical attention. Since your kids are young, I'd bet they might have done something that upset her. It's important to be clear to your kids about how to treat animals. But the trainer could help you curb the aggression before your dog hurts one of your kids.

Answer 6

I have a 1 year male lhasa apso and he loves me so much he so sweet but sometimes he is not nice with my little brother because my brother like to run/jump a lot and doesn't stay in a single place. you can keep your puppy but take her to a training classes and talk to you vet.

Answer 7

She's protecting you. My moms dog always growled at me because If he was on the couch with her and I walked by, I might try to hurt her or something. we were watching the dog whisperer and the same thing happened, it's very common. what he did (which worked with us, too) if when he starts to growl, either you pick him up and give him other attention, to take his mind off of it, or firmly place him on the floor RIGHT away. i really hope this helped.. please only consider giving her away as a last resort

Answer 8

I would really watch her around the children, maybe the dog is afraid there going to heard the dog, keep the dog in another room

Answer 9

It is a possibility that she could bit one of the kids. Talk to the vet and/or see a trainer who specializes in this.Take a video and submit it to Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer. Can't hurt to try.

http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/dogwhisperer/

Look around on the sight also for some tips.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Take your dog to the vet to determine if there is a physical problem. If there isn't, you may have to have her re-trained.
Perhaps your dog is anxious around your children. Children are pretty active and perhaps the dog sees them as a threat. My dog has anxiety and used to bite, but now she's on Prozac and doesn't bite any more.
Whatever happens, you must protect your children.

Answer 11

She's trying to make sure the children know that she is above them in the pack. That she is queen. You need to put her in her place. Every time she barks, growls or attempts to snap at them you must correct her. If she continues, repeat it. Visit Cesar Milan's sight. Just google it, cause I don't remember exactly what it is. But this cannot continue or your children are going to get bit.