I just discovered that my large dog doesn't like children. Can he be trained to like kids?

Question

I have a large dog that is super friendly to adults and had never been around children. At a recent family gathering a little boy approcahed him (I had him on a leash) to pet him and I ignorantly assumed he would be fine. Before the boy could touch him the dog started growling and snarling at him and yanking on his leash. My dog didn't hurt him because he couldn't reach him and by the way he was acting I am assuming he would have hurt the child if he could have gotten to him. My husband then later took our dog over by a group of children playing to watch them so he could get used to them (without being too close as to put the kids at risk of course) and he wouldn't stop growling and snarling at the kids. Is there a way to get my dog to accept children without putting any children at risk or is it impossible if he hates them? The dog is almost three years old and has never exhibited this type of behavior to adults and we don't have kids but would like to within the next few years

Answer 1

We have had the same problem. My rottie didn't like babies when they cry because I think he thought we were hurting them or something. ?

Anyway put a muzzle on him until he gets used to the kids and dicoveres that they are just little humans and everything is going to be alright. Be sure to tell him no when he grows or exhibits ANY behaviors that are bad. Make sure he knows that you don't approve of that sort of behavior and eventually it willl dimish. How fast depends on he learns and how much he is around children will determine how fast this behavior will go away. He needs to be around children more with a muzzle on to learn though.

Answer 2

If your dog had never really been around children then he could just be quite a bit freaked out as many children smell funny to them, are loud and make alot of sudden quick movements. Makes them appear as a sort of 'threat'.
Most defiently check w/ a pet behaviourist for some other ideas to help w/ this problem. One of my large dogs is leary of children. It takes him a lil bit to warm up to ones he doesnt know, some he never has and probably never will like, and many have won him over w/ hot dogs. And of course a child who understands the 'strange dog' rules. Which btw many parents seem to forget to give their children.
However if/when your dog does start to show signs of no longer being disturbed by these short strange smelly loud people I'd prolly not leave him un attended with them.

Answer 3

I had a wonderful,but neurotic dog named Scout.She was almost 100 lbs,a mix of Doberman,Australian shep,and who knows what else.She started having seizures at the age of 12 weeks,and she grew increasingly neurotic and spooky as she grew older.She was also quite growly with people.I loved that dog,though,and was determined to teach her.My niece was just three when I got Scout,and her baby brother just born,they lived in another state,though,but they did come to visit.Scout did not like them at all,but I decided that she would learn to love them.I purchased a crate,a wire basket muzzle and a lot of treats.The kids came for Christmas and other times throughout the year.Scout would growl at them,so she wore the muzzle all the time ( they can eat,drink and pant with this type of muzzle) She would spend quite a lot of time in the crate,and my niece would play on top of the crate.I would give her treats to feed to Scout through the bars,and tell her to talk gently.I would also put Scout on a leash and let Kelsey walk her,with me holding the top of the leash - Scout still thought Kelsey was in charge. I would also have Kelsey make Scout sit or stay.My nephew ,as I explained,was just the same age as Scout,so they grew up together.Every time they would visit,we would go through the routine.Scout actually liked the baby.She would follow him around as he crawled,sniffing him( muzzle,still.) Then,my brother got a divorce and he and the kids came to live with us.Constant exposure to the kids and letting them feed her and praise her made her realize that they were pretty great,after all,but it took a while.She was about 4 when she was finally "kid -safe." She lived to be 13 and never bit anyone,and the older she grew,the more mellow she became - she turned into a great dog,my old Scout.So,I would advise you to take the dog to obedience classes(preferably one with kids in attendance),Walk the dog near schools,playgrounds,etc.Wear a muzzle and have treats on hand.Gradually get closer to the kids.Make the dog sit.If he growls,correct him harshly,with a tug on the leash and a "NO!" Have some kids you know toss treats to him,after he sits for them.Tell them to talk nicely to him.If he's never been around kids,he doesn't know what they are or how to act around them.Try doing what I did.If it doesn't work,you may have to re-home the dog to someone without kids,or even consider euthanasia,if he continues to show aggression towards children.A child's life could be at stake,and you could also be sued should he bite a child.Good luck.

Answer 4

I just had to get rid of a one year old dog we had raised since she was 12 weeks old. Three separate times she went after a child in front of our house when she got out the front door. The last time she escaped out the door she chased down, jumped on, knocked down and stood snarling over a 7 year old boy who was across the street talking to the little girl who lived there (who our dog went after the first 2 times). Fortunately my 25 year old daughter was in the front yard and went running after her when she heard her aggressive barking as she ran across the yard. Then I had to talk to that little boy's parents. It was horrible. This dog never had even a bark come out of her mouth at adults. I talked to several people, including the animal shelter manager that I have known for many years and knew I had to get rid of her. I put myself in the place of those children's parents and knew how I would feel if it had been my child.

Answer 5

I would contact a dog behaviorist if possible. If you can't locate one, then try an obedience instructor and see if they can recommend someone.
You could try having older kids (I'd say no younger than 6) toss him hot dog pieces or other tasty treats. I'd try to keep the kids far enough away that he's not snarling but they can still throw the treats to him. Given his reaction to children, I'm not sure how well this will work but you can try it.

Answer 6

Behavioral training would be good .. but he/she needs to be socialized start out with teenagers and go younger .. take the dog with you everywhere except if you will have to leave it in the car!