What is wrong with my dog?

Question

I have a male doberman that is two. He is not an aggressive dog, but his behavior is starting to worry me. He has been acting out toward my 2 year old son. My son can't even get down off of the couch to go play because my dog will lick him in the face uncontrollably. My son will crouch down on the floor to try to protect his face and so my dog will put his paw on top of him and gently paw at his back, stomach, legs, and diaper area. He has also started barking at my son. He has NEVER acted like this before towards any of the kids and it just started today. I don't know why he is acting like this. My husband said not to leave them alone together just incase, but I think he just needs to pay a little visit to the vet. Any advice is appreciated!!

Thank you to all of you who have given me advice.

Alix - My dog has not been trained by a professional yet.

Hey Bay Bay - To my knowledge, nothing new has happened around the house.

Fish - He is not neutered and this was my biggest concern because I don't want my dog trying to mount my son. When he barks at my son, it's not a playful bark, it's more of an aggressive bark.

Mark - Our dog stays inside the majority of the time and he even sleeps with my husband and I at night. To my knowledge, there has been no extra attention given to my son.

Maggie - I don't think my son smelled any different today than he does most days and I had a close eye on them all day and nothing happened out of the ordinary.

If my dog has picked my son to favor, why him instead of my daughter?

Answer 1

He no longer thinks of your son as a person, but sees him as a playmate/equal, which explains the licking and pawing. The barking is the dog trying to get your son to play and/or play fight. This may be due in part becuase your dog is in his adolecent years, and is typically a time when they get more aggressive and try to exert themselves as alpha. (Think of it as your dog has the canine equivalent mindset of a teenage boy). By mere coincidence, with your son putting his head to the floor, his actions closely mimick that of a submissive animal.

While I don't think you have anything to worry about immediately, this could progress to where your doberman could try to fully exert himself as alpha over your son, to include nipping, biting and further aggression. Until you have a chance to talk with a qualified vet, I agree with your husband to not leave them unattended.

Two things need to be done:
1. Your family is your dog's pack. You and your husband need to assert that you are alpha female and alpha male. The next time you observe the dog with the licking and pawing at your son, you must immediately take steps to let the dog know this is unacceptable behavior. Start by loudly (not yelling, but in a firm/assertive manner) tell the dog "No!". At the same time, grabe the dog by the scruff of the neck and pull him off of your son. You do not need to be abusive - the level of force you would use on the dog should be about the same as if you saw that your son was about to step into traffic - you are forceful without being hurtful. There is a difference between assertive and abusive - so use caution.

2. You need to spend more time each day exercising your dog. Walks, runs, playing fetch. These are all situations where you can reassert your position as leader. At the same time, you will take away some of the energy your dog is directing towards your son.

In closing - a doberman is a wonderful dog. They are very, very loyal to their oweners and their bad reputation stems more from bad or ill informed dog owners than from bad dogs. While I have tried my best to give you some guidance, I strongly suggest you seek the help of a professional dog trainer or vet. They can do a far better job of assessing your situation as help you find a way to keep you son safe and your family complete with your dog.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

He's not threatening him, he just wants to play, BUT he doesn't respect your son as the dominate figure. This makes sense given that your son is only two and can't ask for dominate from your dog. You, as the dominate person, need to intervene and tell him very strongly "no" whenever he exhibits behavior you don't like. Also, make sure that you reward him for playing nicely. If you make it clear that your son is higher up in your family's pack than the dog, provided your dog respects you as his leader, he should accept this decision. Also, given that this just started today, there may have been some unusual circumstance that started the behavior as it doesn't usually just spring up. This may sound stupid but is there any reason your son would smell different? Also, is there any possibility he unknowingly did something to the dog? Both of these things could cause an interesting reaction.

Answer 3

Your dog is really just trying to be nice. Your dog is equivalent of about 8 human years. He is young and trying to initiate play with your son. Dogs often have a favourite. Is this your youngest son? Your devotion has taught your dog to do the same. Licking faces is a really subordinate thing to do. Your dog is definitely NOT trying to be dominant. He just doesnt understand that compared to a 2 year old he is HUGE. Thirty (and the rest?) odd kilos of excitable Dobbie against 10-15kg of 2 year old isnt a good match. Be happy that your dog loves your son but you do need help straight away!! Get a trainer in to help you teach your dog how to play in a quieter way with your son. Two year olds esp if going on 3 do a great job of yelling at their dog to sit! Your two year old then rewards the dog. You will only need a vet if he hasnt been desexed already. Dogs that arent desexed will often start with play and then later try to exert dominance (regardless of how much they love bub). It is also part of a Dobbie's nature to be exuberant but dont worry they are also fantastically trainable dogs. I have had the pleasure of seeing several 'owned' by two year olds that are dragged around and love it. They walk quietly next to their owner and yes they lick their faces :) Remember to keep up with the 3 monthly intestinal worming. Get him trained properly and you will never regret it. Good luck.

Just a note: Dont let your dog sleep with you. In the wild, only the most dominant individuals get to sleep in the good places, warmest, driest place. In urban families this is in the bedroom, on the bed or worse still inbetween you. This will lead to aggression problems later as he gets confused about where ranks in your family. If he is on furniture and on beds you are telling him he is top dog. If you then pull rank, he may very well decide to pull rank back! Once again a dog trainer can make all the difference, they can tell you what your dog is really thinking by reading their body language. Your dog is still young enough to change in to a wonderful friend for kids.

Answer 4

It sounds like a puppy (not physically maybe mentally) trying to play. He may think that the child is a puppy and so he tries to initiate a game. Train him that the child is a human, not a toy or fellow puppy. Teach him child appropriate games to play. Roll the ball is a good one.

A dog trying to establish dominance is usually growling when approached, baring teeth, air snapping, bowling the child down and holding it with body stiff and squared. It also contains more physical force. Have you noticed any "play bowing" or barking, turn run, spin run back and bark again? That will cement the "he's a littermate, play with me"

add: Greg T, that's horse manure. NO dog has a skull that does whatever unless they are severely unsound genetically. Serious inbreeding could probably do that but in any quality dog it is unheard of.

Answer 5

All the behaviors you described are what dogs do when they want to play. Is your dog getting enough playtime and activity with other dogs and with people?

I agree not to leave them alone, but I don't see cause for a vet. You might consult with a trainer, however.

As far as sudden changes in behavior, this can certainly happen with dogs for no apparent reason as they go through different phases of life.

One other thought is the dog might be jealous of attention you are giving you son. Has there been any increase in this?

My best suggestion is to make sure the dog has plenty of activity and playtime. A tired dog is a happy dog.

Answer 6

Dog balls...the pup's self esteem? Ha! The damn things are plastic and the animal gets no benefit from having them in his scrotum. The vet sold you a bill of goods so he could profit from your ignorance. And if it was your idea to have them implanted he should have tried to dissuade you. Dogs (especially pups) have no inkling of what happened in the vet's office except he fell asleep and has some discomfort down by his penis. But he does feel less aggressive and now the mutt across the street doesn't seem to be so much of a threat to him. Go to him and have the dog treated for the inflammation and swelling, if you still trust him. Good luck J

Answer 7

He may have formed a special bond to the baby and is being a little protective but I would take him in just in case. Your hubby is correct don't leave him alone with your son since none of us can read a dogs mind. He may just be being a little protective though has your son started doing anything new?

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with the dog. that's the way dogs are. if your kid and him have gotten along thus far then maybe its not the dog maybe your kid has done something to the dog or someone has done something to the dog to make him do this type of thing. Some times dogs like to do this type of thing to the kids, because the dog thinks your playing a game with him. as long as it is genitally pawing and not hard. some dogs do this with their owners when they fall down, cause they are trying to make sure you are okay. the dog is acting as if your child is his.

Answer 9

2 year olds taste really good. They wear most of their food, so your dobie licking your son's face tastes really good.

When he barks ate your son, is the dog exhibiting "play posture"? where his rear end is high and his head and front legs are down in a bow? This is not an aggressive stance, but one where he wants your son to play with him.

Is your dobie neutered? If not, you might consider that as a way to calm him down.

Answer 10

Sounds like he's playing with your son. I would be a better ideal to take him to training as opposed to the vet. The vet gives more healthcare than behavior care.