Growling at kids...

[Erica&Riley]

For some reason, Riley (8 months) growls at kids...not all children, but she does it a lot of the time. I really can't figure out why but she needs to be broken of this bad habit. She's done it since she was very little, but once meets the child and sniffs them out she seems to be okay with them. I don't have any kids so her socialization with them has been very limited. I have tried to get the kids in our apartment complex to play with her, but they don't know how to conduct themselves around dogs...they run up to her and scream in her face and if she barks at them they run away screaming at the top of their lungs. I think this has contributed to her fear of kids somewhat (loud noises make her noises). I have her in obedience class but I don't know if this will help her growling problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I really need to figure out a way to stop her from doing this.

Thanks!

 

[Jan]

Never punish her for growling. That is the first sign that she if feeling uncomfortable and threatened. Otherwise, you will have a dog that just bites first. :( I would just take her away when she growls. You need to find some nice children that will help you. They need to approach calmly and just stroke them under their chin. They need to ask you if they can pet your dog, and they must follow your instructions. Otherwise the answer is no. Your dog should be sitting when they are being petted. Your obedience class should be able to help with that. Hopefull there will be some children in class and maybe they can help you and your dog can learn that not all children are bad.

Good luck.

 

[Erica&Riley]

Thanks for your advice Jan.

I try to "find" children for her to interact with and she does just fine after she sniffs them out. She gets really nervous around kids who are loud and screaming...which a lot of kids are prone to do. But, I'm hard-pressed to find well-behaved kids for her socialize with. All the one in my apartment complex are loud and obnoxious! Now she does very well at the dog park with the adults and she used to be very shy around them. Kids aren't supposed to be in our dog park though so it is not a good place for her meet them either.

I'd greatly appreciate any other thoughts!

 

[Jan]

You could try going to a playground where there are lots of kids. Take a chair and stay far enough away that that Riley will relax and lie down. You could gradually move closer, but if Riley seems stressed you move further away. He should get used to yelling and screaming kids and will hopefully realize that they don't hurt him. Of course it will be up to you to make sure that they don't. You will need to be very relaxed too as Riley will pick will pick up on your nervousness.

Also, at 8 months, Riley could be going through a fear period. The worst thing that you can do is tell Riley it's okay and pet him. That just tells him that the way he is behaving is okay and he has reason to be scared and of course it's not.

 

[Jade010103]

Just a comment here but if the kids run away from Riley after she barks at them she wins. She is learning that if she doesn't want someone near her all she has to do is bark at them and they'll go away. I know it might be hard but finding kids that won't run off scared is your best bet to teach her that her barking at them isn't scaring them away.

I think the playground idea is great advice!! As long as you only move closer at Riley's comfort level. Good luck!

 

[Erica&Riley]

We went to Petco tonight for some goodies and there were a few kids in the store. Riley let one girl pet her and she was doing fine...it was after the girl had pet her for a minute or two that she started the growling. Any insights on this reaction?

Thanks so much!

 

[Jan]

Petting for a minute or two is way to long. You have a dog that really doesn't like kids. She's trying to be good, but you let it go on for way to long. Keep the petting sessions short. She may learn to like being petted by strange children, but in the mean time, I would keep the petting sessions short. Try 10 seconds.