Anonymous wrote:This isn't usual behavior for our dog, although he's become especially attached to me due to some (ongoing) health issues that have had me sitting on the couch more than usual this summer. I reprimanded the dog, who stopped, but my son also backed off. How are you supposed to deal with this?

Do NOT punish your dog for issuing a warning. He will eventually stop and just escalate to biting. Get your son to back off and take the dog to the vet to look for pain solutions. That said, not wanting to be picked up itself is a valid enough reason to leave the dog alone even if they aren't in pain or otherwise feeling unwell. Teach boundaries-if only for your child's safety.

I agree with the posters who say this was the dogs way of saying he did not want picked up. Is the dog showing any other signs of aggression? Are you doing anything that gives the dog the impression he is higher in the pecking order than your son. When the dog is on the couch with you, where is your son? If he is sitting on the floor or at a place that seems “lower” to the dog, you are diving the dog the impression the child is lower in the pecking order. You may need to take steps to fix this, including hiring a trainer.

Your kid shouldn’t be picking up your dog.

That’s all there is to it.

Anonymous wrote:I can understand the dilemma if the child is trying to pick up the dog and the dog is growling at him. However, if the dog is growling on a regular basis at family members and/or others then that dog is getting a short trip to the pound. I'm not waiting for an incident to happen before taking charge of the situation.

Oh, okay, so there's no other solution. No training, no rehoming, just a short trip to the pound. You're a peach.

I can understand the dilemma if the child is trying to pick up the dog and the dog is growling at him. However, if the dog is growling on a regular basis at family members and/or others then that dog is getting a short trip to the pound. I'm not waiting for an incident to happen before taking charge of the situation.

Anonymous wrote:This isn't usual behavior for our dog, although he's become especially attached to me due to some (ongoing) health issues that have had me sitting on the couch more than usual this summer. I reprimanded the dog, who stopped, but my son also backed off. How are you supposed to deal with this?

You are supposed to teach your son not to pick up the dog. Teach him that when a dog growls it's the dog's way of saying, "I don't like that. Stop," and that it's important to respect that, just as you would respect another kid saying that they didn't want to be tickled or hugged or whatever.

And don't reprimand the dog for growling. It would be like reprimanding your kid for "using his words" to tell you that he didn't like the way someone was touching him or playing with him.

The kid should not be picking up the dog, even if the dog allows it.

Anonymous wrote:The dog is not a stuffed animal. He is allowed to want to be left alone.

+1 He was "using his words" just like we tell our kids to do. Don't discourage growling. The alternative is biting.

You should never leave them alone. What breed is your dog? I would give different advice to someone with a teacup yorkshire than a pitbull. It's not irrelevant.

Anonymous wrote:Tell your son not to pick him up. You didn't say how old your son is, but my dog did not like being picked up by children - she did not feel secure when being held by them.

I agree. You also should not scold the dog for growling. It is their way of communication and telling you they don’t like some thing. He is giving you a warning that he does not like to be picked up so that needs to be respected. Take him to the vet and find doubt if something is wrong with him. But remember that little kids have smaller hands and they might not be as gentle. He might be holding him in a way that makes him hurt or he may just not feel safe.

Anonymous wrote:Dog should go to a different environment.

One where the owners understand the meaning of a growl.

Yikes! The dog isn't the one who did anything wrong here.

1. We need to know the age of the child.
2. The growl is a warning. It's the same as saying, "Don't do that," or, "I don't like how that feels." The dog is absolutely supposed to be able to communicate like that and it's far superior to biting without warning.

Do some basic research--you do NOT reprimand a dog for growling. The growling is his only way short of biting of letting you know there is a problem when he's scared or hurt. So by punishing or shaming for growling, you encourage escalation to snapping or biting.

Do not let children pick up dogs.

It's likely you've been unaware of signs that your dog is not comfortable with your child. There are good books and resources out there on the basics of training (and it involves the training of the humans, largely, especially the kids).

ANY dog can growl/bite.

I have worked with rescues where people bring in their "sweet" Golden Retrievers who "all of a sudden" snapped and bit a child. And they go on to explain how for years the dog was fine, the kids crawled on the dog, put costumes on the dog, and they have no idea why out of the blue the dog snapped.

Anonymous wrote:A growl is a warning. What do you expect your dog to do when someone is doing something to him he doesn't like? Also he may be more protective of you if you're sick. Give the dog a break. Sheesh.

This. Most dogs hate being held, especially closely. Your toddler is also probably clumsy and holding tightly, a situation that makes dogs very nervous. The growl was an appropriate warning. Your child needs to be taught never to pick up the dog and to pay attention to the dog’s signals. Have the dog approach your kid, not the other way around.

Humane Rescue Alliance has classes on how to manage dogs and young children in the same household. They are holding some events virtually right now, so you may be able to enroll despite Covid.

My jack russel hates to be picked up. Just tell
Your child not to do that