How do I train my dog not to react to children?

How To Stop the Dog from Chasing Children
  1. Supervise your dog diligently. Dog trainers say it all the time: Never leave small children alone with even the most trustworthy dog. ...
  2. Make Household Rules. ...
  3. Train Your Dog to Stay Off Kids. ...
  4. Involve Your Children in the Training Program. ...
  5. Read Up on Dogs and Kids.


How do I stop my dog being reactive to children?

First Steps If Your Dog Doesn't Like Kids

You can begin to change your dog's perception of kids with basic training that makes a connection between them and something your dog loves, like dog treats. Any time your dog spots a child in the distance, give him high-value dog treats for as long as the child is visible.

How do I desensitize my dog to children?

Desensitizing them to being touched around the face and head and even tugged on gently will prepare them for the ways that they are touched by children. After 14 weeks of age, puppies become considerably more apprehensive of their surroundings and react more fearfully to threatening stimuli.


Why is my dog reactive to kids?

A lack of early socialization: Dogs who aren't exposed to children as puppies may become fearful when they meet them later in life. When they encounter children for the first time as adult dogs, they may be extremely frightened by the unfamiliar size, smells, noises, and movements of children.

How do I train my dog to be calm with kids?

10 Easy Tips To Train Your Dog To Safely Play With Kids
  1. Socialize Your Little One. ...
  2. Respect Your Dog's Feelings. ...
  3. Use Positive Reinforcement. ...
  4. Use Crate Training. ...
  5. Take Your Pet To The Local Park. ...
  6. Act Like A Child. ...
  7. Train Your Dog To Not Jump Up. ...
  8. Let The Dog Acclimatize To Baby Sounds And Scents.


How to solve child aggression in dogs



Why does my dog lunge at kids?

Getting too close to resources Many dogs don't like to share their toys or food, and they may become aggressive if a child comes too close while they're chewing on a bone, playing with a toy or eating a meal.

Why does my dog growl at kids?

If your dog growls at your child he is sending a clear warning that he is very uncomfortable with the actions or proximity of the child. Be grateful that your dog chose to warn with a growl rather than going straight to a bite.

Can a reactive dog be cured?

So the answer to the question “can reactive dogs be helped?” is that yes, they can be helped, they can live a normal life and they are definitely worth the time and effort that goes into it.


Do dogs grow out of being reactive?

Reactive behaviors usually crop up in adolescence around 6 to 18 months of age and tend to get worse as the dog reaches social maturity around 2 or 3 years of age. Your pup will not “grow out of” this behavior.

How do you discipline a reactive dog?

6 Ways to Calm Your Reactive Dog
  1. Set Up a Routine. It's not something dog owners think of very often or are even aware of, but dogs absolutely crave routine. ...
  2. Get Essential Equipment. ...
  3. Counter Conditioning. ...
  4. Household Changes. ...
  5. Body Language. ...
  6. Sign Up for a Behavior Rehab Class.


Why does my dog bark at little kids?

If your child plays rough with your puppy, then your puppy is more likely to bark at your child. Respect your puppy's boundaries. Most dogs do not like to be hugged, picked up, or kissed. If your child is doing these things, your pup might be telling your child that they are uncomfortable.


Why dogs don t like little kids?

Certainly, a dog that was taunted or teased by children in the past is likely to remember this experience and form negative associations with kids. But often, a dog's discomfort around children stems from the lack of exposure to them during puppyhood.

Should I get rid of my dog if he bit my child?

"The child's going to be traumatized," warns Dr. Elmaraghy. "Because a dog bite can be painful and fairly severe." In general, until you can figure out why the bite happened and what you'll be doing to prevent it from happening again, keep the dog and the child away from each other.

Should you correct a reactive dog?

If you have a reactive dog, working with a trainer to try behavior modification techniques that will address the cause can prevent escalation to aggression. Fight or Flight: Fear is the most common cause of aggression.


Should you punish a reactive dog?

You should never punish your dog for reactivity. Many people are tempted to do this in an attempt to “correct” the behavior — but dog trainers agree it only makes things worse in the long run. It can instill more fear in your dog and does not deal with the root of their reactivity.

How long does it take to stop reactive dog?

This kind of work can take anywhere from two to 12 months, as that's how long it takes for a dog to learn a new behavior. After that time period, you should be able to substitute negative reactions with positive thoughts.

Which dog breeds are most reactive?

Dogs considered highly reactive also include the Boston, Fox, Cairn and Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingnese, Weimaraner, Pug, Irish Setter, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Bichon Frise, Springer Spaniel, the Westie, Chihuahua and the Dachshund.


Why is my dog becoming reactive to people?

A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog. Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training. Aggressive dogs show similar signs but are determined to cause harm and destruction.

What are the signs of a reactive dog?

Symptoms of Reactive Behaviors in Dogs
  • Barking.
  • Body tense and low or forward.
  • Hiding.
  • Growling.
  • Intense stare.
  • Licking of lips or muzzle.
  • Looking away.
  • Lunging.


What breeds of dogs have rage syndrome?

Certain breeds seem more prone to suffer from rage syndrome, including Cocker and Springer Spaniels (hence the once-common terms – Spaniel rage, Cocker rage, and Springer rage), Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos.


Will a second dog help with reactivity?

But she says that it can take longer to address reactive behavior that stems from the dog's temperament or prior negative experiences. “I don't consider it wise for the owner of a reactive dog to adopt another dog until and unless the reactivity is permanently resolved,” she says.

How do I socialize my dog with kids?

Simply reward your dog with wonderful things like treats, toys, and games when children are around. For example, if a child comes up to your dog on a walk, feed your dog treats while the child pets them. In no time, your dog will look forward to encountering kids while you're out on the town.

Why is my dog aggressive to kids?

There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.


How do I get my dog to stop growling at family members?

Explore ways to get your dog to do something that does not elicit aggressive communication. Try to get your dog to behave without eliciting a growl. Lure him rather than physically pushing or pulling him. Have someone else feed him treats or use a Licki Mat while you touch, groom, or restrain him.

How do you know if your dog is good around kids?

A simple test you can try is to remove the child from the situation and then see if the dog comes back to the child for more attention. This will tell you if the dog was enjoying the interaction (comes back for more), or just tolerating it (stays away, or leaves the scene).