My Dog Growled at My Niece?

[maillme]

Hi there,

We have a family dog, he is 8 years old - never been any problem with anyone, but has always been less "Social" with kids - he is Neutered aswell (Spelling??).

yesterday, my niece pulled his tail - and he turned round quickly, and put his jaws round her arm, never clamped them, and growled - it was a snap to best describe it. She had no marks whatsoever - she is 2 yrs old.

Now, he is a very playful and very well trained dog. Whenever we play around with him, he always does this with his jaws - but in the 8 years, he has never actually clamped his jaws - it's just because i think he feels he has to grab at something..........

Now, is this something we should be really worried about?? i was always told that a dog that growls first, is always better - as that is his warning that he is pi$$ed off........if he didnt growl, and just snapped, and actualy bit, then that would be a problem.........??

As soon as he done it, his ears went back, and he just sat down - as if he knew he had done something wrong............

Neil

[flump1]

Hi maillme   I can understand how he must of felt having his tail pulled !!!   I think from what you say he is usually a well balanced and well behaved dog, This was a warning. If the child had pulled for a second more he might have bitten her. It might be that as he gets older his tolerance to manhandling lowers. I would not worry, just be aware and keep an eye on him when in the company of children. I have two small dogs , one has behaved similarly . One of my dogs likes the attention,one does not. While I love my dogs I do not trust them completely, I try to strike a balance where the dogs enjoy the children and vice versa.Try not to leave them alone and I hope he does not do it again. 

[Octavius]

Hopefully your niece learnt the lesson as well and will never pull on a dog's tail again.  Animals can be unpredictable around children, and children can be unpredictable with animals.  I would keep an eye on both in future and never leave them alone together.

[Kimmiebear]

The fact that he growled and only soft mouthed the girl is better that if he had bit. Some dogs give no warning and they are the most frightening. Dogs have been known to have bad days, but if your dog isn't used to a lot of child harrassment, maybe it would be best to restrict child playtime.

[woofgang]

Neil Without wishing to be offensive, you put your dog and your niece into this situation and all 3 of you have had a lucky escape. While some dogs tolerate or enjoy such attention from tinies, some do not and shouldn't have to. While not segregating your niece and dog, I would suggest that you keep a very close eye on the baby in future and don't let her do things that the dog won't like. Equally set things up sop that the dog has somewhere to go to escape unwelcome attention. When they are together, supervise supervise supervise! Your dog has warned you, heed the warning!