Hi all, New dog owner, had a Collie-cross dog (about 5 years old) about 2 months from a rescue kennels, so no known history on him.
Very friendly, intelligent dog it seems, nice to walk with, but doesn't yet come back to me on call when he sees another dog (and I can't whistle )
Friendly with family too, except...my 6 year old niece - she is very bubbly, lively and our Dog doesn't like her.
He snapped at her yesterday for the 2nd time, no bite (he could have if he wanted), but just a warning. Now he's never shown anything like this with other non family children (younger and older), so now I have a problem with the family.
Does anyone know what was going on here ? ! and more importantly....and I can alleviate this in the future...maybe Dog/Owner training ?

Do you know if he is used to children?

Is he like this with any other children?

What is/was your niece doing when he snapped? (need a detailed description if possible, something that seems innocent to us might not be to a dog)

Did the dog growl prior to snapping?

Was there any food in the room or nearby?

Sorry for all the questions!

good ?s Jackson - I would say your dog is telling you and your niece that he dont like her - close supervision for deffo and if needs must keep them apart - if he is a good boy in all other ways with all other people then he just doesnt like her or what she does around him.

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I don't know if he is used to chldren, but he has been friendly with other kids in my house.

At the time, there were 7 people in the room, and normally it's just the 3 of us. We had been out for his walk and everyone was sat down, I was on the floor playing with him with his rope, with my Niece also on the floor. Access to his food / water was blocked at the time, but he did have access to his 'corner'.

There was no growl, but I sensed unease on his part and i'd warned my niece not to get too close, but (and it all happened so quick) i think in her excitedness, she leaned forward, and he snapped at her.

You sound to be very intune with your boy - I'd concentrate on training your niece to do as you tell her around him

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our stray Ellie was a puppy when we took her in, she was always sweet with my children & a few others but would snap at certain kids who were only trying to stroke her, so we had to be extra careful around kids & put her in another room, she was definatly abused by whoever had her she had lacerations all over her stomachso maybe it was children who hurt her? but shes 13 now & been well worth the extra effort shes the most loyal dog we have

From your ost it sounds possible that the dog has either had things taken from him, by children before, (maybe one that was similar to your niece) or thought she was going to take his rope, or maybe has had a bad experience with a child. Hard when you don't know their history. If he didn't growl, it is also possible he has ben told off for growling in the past, so now won't do it. Does he growl at other times?

I would work to cover all bases and, as JoP has said, be veyr careful of your niece around him and if he seems uncomfortable at all, send her away from him.

Start by when your niece visits, giving your dog some treats at regular intervals while she is there. (you giving the treats, not your niece) That way he will start to think, that it is good when she visits, as he gets extra treats.

Then, teach him to give you whatever he has in return for a treat, then when he has eaten the treat, give him whatever it was back again. That way he learns, that people approaching when he has something is a good thing, as is them taking it. Practice with lots of different people, but not your niece yet.

Then, when he seems more relaxed around your niece, get her to give him a few treats when she visits, but make sure you are with her at all times, and do be careful about it.

Once the dog is totally comfortable with your niece and will approach him by heimself, practice her exchanging objects he has for a treat, but ONLY when he is totally relaxed about her prescence. This might take several months.

If he seesm uncomfortable at any step, take it back a step until he is OK again.

You might have to accept that he will never be totally OK about your niece, so do be prepared for that.

Thanks for your useful thoughts and comments. I can only add that I have only heard him growl when someone knocks on the door / window (and then its half-hearted)

PS: Picture of him now below !

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