Well, here is a tough problem, because dogs will be dogs, and very young children can bring out what we perceive as the worst from our pets, specifically aggression toward them. Yes, what you have described is aggressive behavior from your dog. It sounds like it stems from a dominant ranking attitude in the dog and perhaps some defensiveness as well. Just as a dog with dominant rank might demonstrate aggression toward another dog that dared to approach its resting area or possessions, dogs likewise will threaten approaching subordinate humans in similar circumstances, even though the humans don't necessarily agree with their assigned rank as follower rather than leader in the relationship with the dog.

Your stern "No" obviously didn't discourage the dog, which makes me suspect she is assuming she has higher ranking status in your home than is in everyone's best interest. She also may feel threatened by the approach of the smaller humans, especially if she wasn't raised with children. I suggest you have the dog evaluated by a qualified professional behaviorist and then work together to try to establish kind but solid rules for both the dog and the people interacting with her. I can give you some basic suggestions, but I wouldn't feel confident trusting a dog that wasn't raised from puppyhood with small children to be able to tolerate them until I'd put a great deal of supervised mileage on the relationship.

For starters, don't let your children pick up or carry the dog at all. Nature never intended dogs to fly, and although they may learn to tolerate and even like being held and carried by adults, children can surface defensive reactions from dogs when they try to pick them up. Have your children call the dog to them or walk it on a leash, and when she isn't cooperating, require them to seek adult assistance rather than trying to "train" the dog to comply by themselves. Some dogs do not tolerate discipline dished out by children any better than they would accept dominance behaviors directed at them from a puppy. Keep in mind your dog is an adult member of your social group, more your peer than your child's.

The most important rule with young children and dogs is supervision or separation, all of the time. Some dogs never can be left unattended with children, especially not with children under the age of 7. There are just too many opportunities for experimentation on the part of the child and for assertive or defensive aggression from the dog. Bad patterns of interaction quickly are established and difficult to break; it's best not to let them start. Keeping the dog off furniture or requiring it to get down (by keeping it on a leash and gently but firmly pulling until it gets off) from furniture whenever the child approaches, helps redefine the dog's ranking rights. Parallel status with adults practically guarantees the dog will have a perception of itself as ranking above children in the household. Sometimes keeping a cloth muzzle as well as a leash on the dog allows the child safely to pet the dog while its tolerance is evaluated. If she persists in growling and showing any aggression toward your children, try to find her an adult home. I know it will hurt, but not nearly as much as having your child harmed or the dog put down because it has bitten someone seriously. Not all dogs are cut out to be children's pets, and it isn't fair to try to force this dog if she isn't the right one for your family.

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Category:

• Aggression

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