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  1. #1
    Puppy ryan519's Avatar
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    10 month old pup growling at small children

    My wife and I have a 10 month old puppy who typically is very gentle and kind. In the past she has always been really friendly with children and adults. Over the last week, there have been two instances where she has growled at small children, around 2-4 years old. We have never really had her around small children but when she has encountered them previously on walks, she has rolled over on her back and been very playful, loving and hyper. Last week, my wife took her on a walk, and when the neighbor kids ran up to pet her, the dog was ok with the 9 year old boy, she was ok with the mother, but she instantly began growling at the 4 year old girl. The second time was yesterday in our backyard, with my wife's friend's 3 year old daughter. She was completely fine when the child was being held or behind the screen door (wagging tail, jumping up and down), but the second the child was set down and went to go pet her, she started growling, just like on the walk. Because in the past she has been so playful with kids, this past week has left us puzzled and confused. I want to mention that my wife is pregnant, and so I am not sure if that plays a role. She is completely fine around adult strangers, and appears to be ok with older kids. Thank you.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Possibly going through her second fear period. Best thing to do is to keep her away from kids and let her get past this stage. You cannot and should not try to work her through it, just avoid whatever it is that is causing fear for a bit. If it were a stationary object, you might react differently, but since it's children, avoidance is best. Growling is a warning behavior, so I would take it seriously, and proceed with caution. You should also reach out to a certified veterinary behaviorist, especially as you are going to be having a child, because I could be totally wrong as I have not seen the behavior firsthand nor am I a behaviorist (no one on this board is a behaviorist; you should always consult a certified veterinary behaviorist regarding potential aggression toward humans).

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  4. #3
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    I echo Labradorks...potential fear period. Little kids can be scary with their high energy and noise level. That said, it's inappropriate when the noise/energy involves humans. She may be starting to exhibit symptoms of anxiety. My guys don't like noise or high activity in general or with other dogs. Sunnie adores children...they can do no wrong. Dan is a bit reserved and, to this day, I'm careful with how kids approach him and actually hold his head with really small, unpredictable, ones. He's never shown aggression toward a child but he was afraid of the smallest ones when he was a puppy (his first encounter was with a child who was one of those who jumped up and down and screamed when excited and his second was with a kid who flailed his arms). He grew out of that but I still don't trust him like I do Sunnie.

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Agree with the above. I do note the ones she growled at are the ones on eye level with her. That was my sister's dog's (not a Lab) problem, small kids. It's our guess, the eye level part, but he never got over it and did bite more than one. He had his own kids but the youngest was 9 when they got him. Can you try to limit kids running at her? Many dogs are apprehensive if a strange dog runs right up to them, kids at eye level maybe are seen by the stationary dog as being the same kind of worry? Lots of guesses.
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  8. #5
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    No RUNNING up to the dog. I had my first girl be totally turned off to kids by 6 months due to obnoxious neighbor kids who didn't understand that you don't run up to a puppy and crowd them with petting.

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  10. #6
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    Agree with the above. I do note the ones she growled at are the ones on eye level with her. That was my sister's dog's (not a Lab) problem, small kids. It's our guess, the eye level part, but he never got over it and did bite more than one. He had his own kids but the youngest was 9 when they got him. Can you try to limit kids running at her? Many dogs are apprehensive if a strange dog runs right up to them, kids at eye level maybe are seen by the stationary dog as being the same kind of worry? Lots of guesses.
    Exactly what I was thinking.

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  12. #7
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    This article on growling just popped up in my email so here you go, might have some other ideas for you.

    5 Steps to Deal With Dog Growling | Whole Dog Journal
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  14. #8
    Puppy ryan519's Avatar
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    Great info. Thank you all! I will avoid the kids for now and see how she does once she's at least one year old and go from there.

  15. #9
    Best Friend Retriever silverfz's Avatar
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    He is still young and 10 months is a crazy phase. But he might as simple as grow up. But do watch and work with him by taking him out. Do not isolate them ..



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