Puzzled by this a little

Rupert's starting to growl at my kids, I think sometimes it's a im laying here and I don't want to play, he had just hopped on the sofa

Others like this afternoon, we had just been out for a walk when we got back in the car after a hour or so of him playing at my brothers and falling asleep we set off home, he sat on the footwell and my son stroked him and he was fine, stoked again and unhappy face then snarls and barked at him, this was all over three seconds or so

He didn't do anything from what he has said just gentle strokes

I have a feeling he is seeing his status in the family higher than those of the kids

But need to put an end to it as if he bites one his going on a one way visit, as hard as that will be for me

Let sleeping dogs lie. It's not so much a behaviour issue really, just leave dogs alone when they want to chill. I don't think he's trying to rule the roost so to speak because he would do it all the time and try to assert his authority elsewhere if so.

We had a Ridgeback when I was a kid. The breeder told my parents to be firm but fair with him because they are seriously headstrong and want to dictate matters. He would have stood by us through thick and thin but wasn't afraid to growl at me when I was young and foolish enough to interrupt his dinner and sleep. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I Instill that in the kids already, but when his laid next to them, well more towards me and they just reach over to stroke him, a small growl I can understand, it's his way of saying not now.

It's the snarl and snap earlier, he had, had a good walk, then a hours of play and had then laid down, woken to come home, was awake and sat on rear seat, hoped down in to the footwell and just got stroked

I supposed he go down to get away, maybe to settle down

Never seen him snarl or snap like that and it's got me a little nervous

If you think it is not a case of the kids disturbing him, then deliver swift discipline such as an assertive no and a smack on the backside. Dogs are amazingly clever and will soon learn what they should and shouldn't do.

One of our dogs Sam tried chewing on a tea bag when he was young and bit me on the thumb when I tried to stop him. Fair but firm discipline stopped that behaviour!

These days, if he goes past any dog without barking, he looks up at me for a biscuit. If he barks, I only have to look down at him and he hangs his head in shame

He has to know you are in charge and won't take any nonsense but will reward him in spades for good behaviour.  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

There's a train of thought, that if I discipline him for growling, then he could associate kids with telling off, they say if he does, then call him, get his mind on something else, he'll forget the kids have made him growl

I guess you will have to go with the flow and see. Every dog is different and he's still a pup with lots of learning to do. Patience Luke, patience  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Sounds like guarding behaviour - possibly a scrap of food dropped under the seat which he was claiming for his own and guarding? I've seen our dog (now departed) sit in a footwell and guard a scrap of food under the seat where she couldn't reach it. She would let us take food from her no problem, but woe betide any other dog which tried the same thing!

If you think its dominance then get the kids to do everything, feeding him, letting him out and he'll soon learn. Possibly could be in a bit of pain at his age with growing pains combined with a walk.

Sorry ' Doctor ' but NEVER hit a dog, nothing to do with being inhuman just sensible.

A dog is an animal and as you say will remember, but he will see a raised hand ( or anything else ) as a potential threat and it could lead to an instant reaction from the animal. An animal will always try to defend itself

Admittedly we have two terriers and they are without doubt the most likely to react this way , but all dogs are potentially suspect.

A small child could raise a hand to pet the animal and could end up with a nasty bite.

Of course a beaten dog will generally cower away in fright and I am sure that is not what you want , however even that animal could turn given the right circumstance.

Also if he's in the footwell and you're leaning down to pat him, its going to be crowding his space and if he's not 100% for any reason then you'll get a reaction.

Put him in the crate rather than footwell, safer for everyone in the event of an accident and it will become his "safe" place.

I think it could be a good idea to get the kids to do more, feeds, letting him in and out and make sure they leave him alone when his laid down

I normally do have a crate in the car, but in a loan car, i decided that since he had dried off he could sit on the back seat with the kids, instead for the canvas crate i had in there for when he was wet, he soon went in to this when the event happened when i pulled over, (called him, and just put him in it, no hitting, just a firm GET IN!)

The more i think about it, he had hopped down in the footwell to get away and he was invading his space, albeit it had only just become his space a minute earlier


He was tired, he had just had a long walk, and then played for a while longer, so might be that

Keeping a close eye on it, and will make the kids feed him, making him sit and wait for as long as it takes before getting his feed, I always get my hand down in his food also, taking bits and hand feeding him, that way he is not thinking i'm stealing it,

Hi Nick

I would suggest maybe when the kids stroke him on some occassions they give him a little bit of food like some of his normal dog food, he will then see that the kids are his friends as they will have food with them...I agree for him to be in a cage or a box in the car for his safety as well as yours in the event of an accident.

Craig MY 2012 HSE LUX
MY 2010 XS

As suggested get the child to feed the dog. My springer kept growling at my 2 year old son. If the dog growled I would say 'treats' and then the child would feed him some tripe. Stopped growling after 2 days, dogs learn quick.

http://www.doggonesafe.com/growling_at_the_kids

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Last edited by The Doctor on 13th Oct 2014 7:31 pm. Edited 1 time in total