Question
Holly Daze
I have a 2.5yo Silky Terrier. She is a good dog...for me and is aggressive if my husband tries to discipline her. She is also very protective of her kennel to a point that I took it away because I didn't want her to snap at my son for getting too close. This is where the problem really comes in. She cannot be around small children. If she was able, she would just sit on my lap growling at the kids. I bought a muzzle because I babysit my friends kids and she actually went for one of the little boys feet. My son is almost a year and so far she has been fantastic with him but I am afraid that as he gets more mobile, she may turn on him too. Is there anyway stop this behavior other than keeping her isolated. I would like her to be social with friends and family. I understand that kids are more unstable and probably scare her so how can I maybe make her more confident? I also don't know how to stop the aggression towards my husband.
AnswerAs far as the dog around children, as a responsible pet owner you will have to do whatever you need to in order to keep both your dog and the children safe, even if it means keeping them apart. I'm including some information about dogs and kids, plus something on aggression. I hesitate to label your dog as aggressive, though. Fearful may be more appropriate. Since she is tiny and kids are clumsy, she may have reason to be apprehensive. I would discourage her sitting in your lap, though, when it creates growling.
As far as your husband, I would let him be the one who does everything nice for her, and you handle the discipline. She needs to see him, as well as you, as her leader. If a dog respects their leader, they will accept the decisions made by the leader. I'm including some information pertaining to that as well. "Confidence" for her should start to take hold when she realizes you and your husband are doing a fine job of being in charge, keeping her safe, giving her rules to follow, and she feels she doesn't have to worry about her safety and environment. She'll be able to relax and let you run things.
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dogbite_guide.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/kidsdogs.pdf
http://www.marinhumanesociety.com/Behavior/Handouts/PEP.pdf
http://www.marinhumanesociety.com/Behavior/Handouts/NILIF.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/educated-dog.pdf
http://www.marinhumanesociety.com/Behavior/Handouts/PreventingAggression.pdf
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