Puppy Growling w/Toddlers

[mrsrags]

I have a quick question from some of the more experienced boxer owners. I have a 4 month old Male Boxer Puppy....who is 4 months old. We have been socializing him since he came to us at 8 weeks. He comes to work with me everyday, and is starting basic obedience school. He loves adults, and older children (8 and up)

He seems to like all adults if he is in a familar or comfortable place that he knows. If we are in a unfamiliar place (for instance camping) and people approach him, he will sometimes back away from them, and sit on my foot. he never growls at adults, just sometimes acts a little shy. If he smells there hand, and they talk to him he will always politely greet them.

Lately I have noticed though that when he is around small children, like 4 and under if they approach him, he will have a low soft growl. I usually will correct him, and once the kids are around him he will lay there, and let them pet him. If I correct the low growl he will stop. What approach should I take with this? There have been 2 occassions where i have noticed him doing this. We have an 8 y/o son that he is good with, and he seems to like kids of that age. I am not sure if it is toddlers that scare him, when they approach him and they are loud??? On both occasions of him acting funny with the kids they were a little loud, and acted like they were coming right at him. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Gilbert]

I would suggest for you to continue to correct the problem as you are doing now. And when possible tell the kids to approach him calmly and talk to him calmly, you want to try and prevent him from fearing lil kids.

 

[elgerdes]

I would suggest for you to continue to correct the problem as you are doing now. And when possible tell the kids to approach him calmly and talk to him calmly, you want to try and prevent him from fearing lil kids.

I agree. Train the pup and the family. Dogs can't control their environment so we need to help them with that. Good luck!

 

[djheitz]

Different opinion -

Personally, I don't know that I'd 'correct' the growl. He's doing that to let you know he's uncomfortable. If he stops, how will you know you need to step in and help him? Will his first option turn to nipping (or worse) then?

Instead, I'd set up some controlled play dates with a toddler you know. Make sure he is treated everytime the child approaches, or runs or screeches like most little ones do - before he has a chance to growl. Teach him that even though these mini-humans are loud and unpredictable, they bring good things (treats and praise). Then, anytime he is in a situation like this, make sure he know it's OK, you have it covered and all he needs to think about is his next treat. I'd also give him a safe place to go if he's feeling overwhelmed. Could be his crate, could be in another room, but somewhere the kids can't follow and make sure they know to leave him alone when he chooses that option.

 

[Diablows mum]

hi there!
my boy growled at first at young loud children, even barked a little... this was behaviour he had never expresed towards adults or older children.However after some observation i did notice that he just seemed to be respoding to the noise they were making he was infact not threatened or in a aggressive mode but was just trying to fit in and "play" loud like the children!! i dont know if this is relevant to your situation or not.... but i hope it sheds a little light

 

[mrsrags]

thanks for all the input! We will keep working with him......

 

[LILYLARUE]

Definitely listen to the growl and don't try to stop it - instead tell the children he is a little scared of kids and to give him a little time to get comfy BEFORE they approach.

The growling is a pups way of communicating discomfort. Take it away by punishing the growling and you leave him no other choice but to bite. Never force your pup to meet anyone. Let him approach at his own comfortable pace.

Setting up playtimes with toddlers is a great idea - just limit it to 1 or two kids at a time and praise like heck when he is playing appropriately. If at any point you see him backing away, walking away, cowering under objects, snapping in the air around the kids, that's your cue that the pup has had enough. Give him some alone time with you or in the crate. Usually 10-20 mins is appropriate for the young pups and then reintroduce the kids again - slowly.

Always remember YOU are their protector and should have their backs at any point they look to you for it. If you are not there to intervene their discomfort then you allow the pup to use whatever means possible to correct their safety with nips or bites.

 

[mrsrags]

UPDATE: Gus is doing good with little kids 90% of the time! We camp a lot in the sumer and he comes with us, so when little kids approach and want to pet him, I have them put their hand out first and pet him gently after he smells them, and is wagging his tail. The other day I had the a reoccurence of the growilng. It was the first time he did it in awhile. We were at the playground and there were about three little girls that he had greeted and was wagging his tail, the one little girl got down on his level and i think was getting really close to his muzzle, and he let out a little growl. I immediately said his name, and started to pet him and he quit and was still wagging his tail. It seems that these issues usually occur when we are away from home (i.e at a campsite); I am starting to wonder if it is just because he is out of him element, and gets frightened. I am gonna keep working with him, he is usually just a big HAM. I am also getting him neutered in a month.....not sure if that makes a difference or not?

 

[LILYLARUE]

UPDATE: Gus is doing good with little kids 90% of the time! We camp a lot in the sumer and he comes with us, so when little kids approach and want to pet him, I have them put their hand out first and pet him gently after he smells them, and is wagging his tail. The other day I had the a reoccurence of the growilng. It was the first time he did it in awhile. We were at the playground and there were about three little girls that he had greeted and was wagging his tail, the one little girl got down on his level and i think was getting really close to his muzzle, and he let out a little growl. I immediately said his name, and started to pet him and he quit and was still wagging his tail. It seems that these issues usually occur when we are away from home (i.e at a campsite); I am starting to wonder if it is just because he is out of him element, and gets frightened. I am gonna keep working with him, he is usually just a big HAM. I am also getting him neutered in a month.....not sure if that makes a difference or not?

Great to hear!!! But next time just walk him away. Petting him right after growling is only treating him for his behavior.

Dogs growl because thats how they show their discomfort or fear. NEVER EVER Discipline a dog for growling, just respect their wishes and remove them from the uncomfortable situation. If you stop the growling behavior, you take away their voice of discern, and the only recourse they will have is biting. A quiet dog is a dog to be feared. They are usually the ones that have been disciplined for growling and go right to a bite when uncomfortable.

If anyone approaches, and he backs away (and sits on your foot) he is looking for back up on what he is fearful of. Respect it and remove him from it. If kids approach, have only ONE at a time approach. This may lessen the fear reaction. Also, don't let anyone pet him, especially children UNLESS he approaches THEM. You don't want him to be always anxious of people......he may not show his warning signals, he may learn to just react. Watch your pup for signs of discomfort: lip licking, eyes darting, head turning away, backing up. Don't watch the visitor......your dog will give lots of signals that you may miss if not watching. Those will be your cues on how you should proceed.....with removing him, or slowing introductions. Oh, and don't let people pet him on the head, have them pet his sides or chest. Strange hands coming at your head is quite scary!

Respect the growl! LOL Appreciate his voice and remove him from what he fears. He will learn to trust you, that you have his back, and you will take care of things that need to be. He shouldn't be the first one to react in stressful situations, You should be!

 

[Gilbert]

I just read this entire thread and we all might have missed the fact that boxers growl while playing... Achilles use to bow down and growl at me, no wiggle, just a scary growl. I was a first time puppy owner so it scared the crap out of me. Later i found out that thats how they play and noticed him doing it while playing with different people. Unfortunatly i hated the growl so i corrected it and he know longer does it. I haven't noticed any side effects, but then again he hasn't had any reason to be fearful.