Is there anything that can be done about agression towards children in the home.

Question
I got my lab when he was about 6 weeks old and when my son was first born a few months later he did fine with him, however when my son was first starting to pull himself to a stand he used private parts of my dog to do so one day when I was just unable to get to him in time. I was in
the same room but he just did it so quickly. Since then he growls whenever he goes near him and now any other child as well. It has gotten worse over time as my son is now 3 and a very hyper child. I try to get him to leave the dog alone but it is very difficult to do. I do not believe he would ever bite, but it is still a concern. I love this dog, other than this he is a perfect dog and I really do not want to have to put him down or take him to the pound because I understand why he is scared and why he does it but still it cannot continue. I have done all sorts of research and am implimenting some of the things but none of it covers this type of situation. What can I do if anything to get my dog to over come this fear and
be ok with my children.


Answer
Some of what I have may be the same as you have read elsewhere.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm  That site has has some additional good material on dogs and children.  

You could try having your son and other children give him treats.  Treats don't have to be large or rich.  Even some of the dog's regular kibble will do.  

Is the dog neutered?  If he didn't have tender privates, he would have less to fear.  Neutering also reduces thechances of losing him to cancer.