i have a 4 month old lab /mulmute mix who attacks my 6 year old child?

Question

the dog jumps up on my daughter bites her, it looks like she is trying to hump her back she just mostly goes after my daughter it just started a month a go i am afraid she is really going to hurt her although i dont really want to get rid of her any suggestions ive tried alot strong voice everything

i know she cannot get fixed yet the vet said next month i am going to bring her to the classes , today my daughter and i took her for a long run and there wasnt a problem but if these classes dont work then i have to get rid of her but it wont be a human society where the put down dogs . thanks for all the postive comments the other ones get a life

Answer 1

see links for tips about children and dogs and biting.
This sounds like it could be a very large dog when fully grown. try to correct this now while the dog is young and relatively small. basic obedience classes (and lots of consistency) will help to control her behavior in general.

Answer 2

This is a dominance issue.
Your child should never be allowed around the dog alone.
You need to correct the dogs behavior any time the dog displays this type of behavior. Your child should be involved with training, walking, feeding the dog. If you start out walking the dog and then pass the leash over to your child and let them walk the dog it will teach the dog to look to the child for guidance and that the child is in fact the dominant one. Feeding can also be done by the child. Have the girl set the food bowl down and give the dog the ok to eat.
Any thing that asks the dog to listen to the child will help.
Also this is a mix of breeds that needs lots of exercise and the malamute is not going to take direction well for a child until the dog learns that the child is in charge. At 6 your child is small and has a softer voice. It is harder to establish them as dominant over a dog who is larger and heavier than the child.
Training is going to be key for this dog. You need to work the dog in basic obedience and have your child help with it.
As for Caesar Millan watch his show it may give you a few good tips on walking. Or better yet get into a class and get some help. They can provide great tips and help alot as they have an outside pair of eyes to eveulate your situation.
Good luck.

Answer 3

My first question for you is, is your dog fixed? If not, now's the time to do it! It can help reduce aggressive behaviors.

Second, your daughter needs to start being a 'boss' around the house. Let her feed the dog, tell the dog to sit, make the dog do tricks for cookies, etc. etc.

Your dog is looking at your daughter as competition right now and is 'competing' with her.

Do NOT leave them alone together at all for the time being. If you see your dog do any of this, you AND your daughter should say NO firmly and redirect your dog.

It's going to take a lot of work - since this has been going on for a month now, but I think you should see some progress in a few weeks.

My black lab has always seen my hubby as the 'boss' in our house and he started trying to compete with me a little bit, so I had to do all of the above I mentioned to you and I really had to lay down the law and now he's much better.

Good luck to you!

PS I wanted to add though that my lab has never ever tried to bite anyone - he has growled at me though. So if your dog continues trying to bite your daughter, I think you need to get some professional help for your dog.

Answer 4

Your dog is definitely exerting her dominance over your child & you need to make sure this behavior is stopped immediately.

First plan of action is to never leave the dog & child alone together. If that means leashing the dog to you or keeping up a baby gate in your home then that is what that means.

Secondly, you should always correct the bad behavior as soon as you see it. A sharp "No" will do just fine, and remove the dog from the situation. Spray bottles with water might also work. But you MUST remain consistent in your corrections or the dog will never learn.

Third, enroll in an obedience class NOW. Its for your safety, your child's safety, and your dog's overall well being.

Answer 5

Well it is so normal for a child to do this at this age and the upcoming months. To a point it is unhealthy. If the mother never leaves the child then it is not a good thing. she should NEVER sneak away always tell the baby what she is doing.(mommy is going to get a drink I will be right back) The wanting to be held thing needs to be broken now, she should simply tell the baby no I'm not picking you up right now if she sticks to her guns then it will be broke in a couple of days. She has to be strong. It does get better but, kids need to learn how to be able to handle themselves like that even at that age because it will only get worse. The mother needs to do it at home first a party with a crying child SUCKS and everyone gets annoyed. Good luck and I hope the mother is willing to stick to her guns.

Answer 6

I'm sorry but if you have not already throughly addressed this problem that has been going on for a month then take the dog to the humane society in your area as you clearly have no time to address such a serious issue and have allowed it to go on this long.

They will find the dog a home where there are no small children, if this is the only problem the animal has, and it will be happier and so will you.

Answer 7

She's trying to dominate your daughter.
Yelling at the dog will only make her aggression worse.
She might not really want to do this, but your daughter needs to take over feeding the dog, walking the dog, giving the dog treats, etc.
Your dog needs to see her as an alpha human, not someone that can be dominated. The only way to do that is to put your daughter in a position of authority so the dog understands.
DO NOT listen to any moron who tells you to listen to Cesar Milan. He's been denounced by the ASPCA and pretty much every other organization dealing with dogs because he teaches fear and aggression that will only make matters worse in the long run.

Answer 8

If it is a dominance issue maybe you can get your pup spayed/nuetered in some cases that helps.Also with that you can try some obedience classes.I hope it all works out for u n ur family:)

Answer 9

There is only one answer for that, GET RID OF THE DOG HUN!!
I have a 6 year old daughter as well, and let me tell you, if one of my dogs ever BIT her, he or she would be out the door.
And im a dog lover!!!!

Answer 10

This sounds like a dominance issue. This must be stopped immediately. As he gets older this may get worse.

Watch Cesar Milan the dog whisperer on the history channel