Verified by 
Lisa Radosta
Many dogs show fear and aggression toward children. How can dogs who are aggressive be taught not to be so with children?
“Do your rights begin where mine end?” Those are the words of my colleague, Dr. Valarie Tynes as we sat at dinner. Foolishly, at that time I answered, ”no”. Fast forward to 6 years later. I am at a friend’s house for dinner and my six year old is running around playing while my friend’s dogs are milling around. Suddenly, her dog runs up to my daughter barking aggressively. My friend’s husband said later that he had never seen me move so fast before, comparing me to a mama bear.
Once my daughter was safely seated on a bar stool, my friend asked if she could bring her dog back out to work with my daughter so that he would be less reactive toward kids. Of course, I said no. One glance at my daughter’s face told me that she was petrified. Since that time, that particular dog has been taken out to many public places in order to be counterconditioned (a procedure pairing something positive with something negative in an effort to change the dog’s emotional state). These trips have included being petted by children that he had never met before and having children give him treats.
Now, Dr. Tyne’s words resonate with me. How does a dog’s right to learn to be safe with children compare to the child’s right to stay safe?
In my opinion, there is no comparison. Children have the right to feel and be kept safe. Period.
Besides the fact that I am a “momma bear” why would I feel so strongly about this subject? My opinion is formed from the nature of my job. Each day, I treat animals with serious emotional disorders including aggression. Unfortunately, I see many babies and young children who have been bitten. Matter of fact, children, particularly boys, are the number one bite victims in the country. In my exam room years ago, I remember a strong, wonderful father pulling out a picture of his son with a fresh bite on his cheek as tears streamed down his face. The biter was his own Labrador Retriever who was a member of the family for 4 years before his son was born. As in this example, most bites to children are from dogs with whom they are familiar, not from unfamiliar, stray dogs.
In the situation with my friend’s dog, he simply had never seen a child before. He was as scared of my child as she was of him. Unfortunately, that does not make him safe with her. Matter of fact, fear aggression and defensive aggression or two very commonly diagnosed types of aggression in dogs who growl at or have bitten a child. Sometimes, children have been completely inappropriate with the dog. I remember seeing a case when I was at University of Pennsylvania where a child walked right up to the Boxer lying on the floor and bit him. The dog was so tolerant that he simply got up and walked away. That day, I had to have a discussion with the owner about how to keep her dog safe from her child! Dogs have the right to feel safe too.
With the knowledge that children are of the highest likelihood of being bitten and that it is dangerous to try to work in close proximity to a child with a dog who has been aggressive (e.g., growl, lunge, bark aggressively, bite), what is an owner to do if their dog shows aggression to a child?
First, recognize the subtle signals of fear and anxiety such as turning the head or body away, stress yawning and lip licking (you can learn more about canine body language here: http://www.flvetbehavior.com/Web/Dog_Body_Language.html). By recognizing the subtle signals of fear and anxiety, you will be able to know if your dog is at risk of becoming aggressive. With professional help, you can intervene before there is a problem.
Second, regard a growl as a threat. If I had a nickel for every time a client said, “He has always growled at my son, but I never thought he would bite.” I would have a vacation home in Colorado by now. A growl is a threat to do more, a threat to do harm. Heed it and seek professional help so that it doesn’t go farther.
Third, separate your dog from children. Will he get better this way? Nope. He also will not be able to bite a child if he is securely separated which is the most important thing. Matter of fact, many owners choose this path because it is safest and easiest. Most dogs who are aggressive toward children don’t actually want to be with the child. As with my friend’s dog, they are scared of the child. Separation for those dogs is the most loving choice. If you want to do more than separate your dog from your child, go to www.dacvb.org and find a board certified veterinary behaviorist who can properly diagnose and treat your dog.
Website: www.flvetbehavior.com
