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There are a number of reasons why a dog may growl at a child. She may have had a harsh upbringing, or she might have become very stressed living at a shelter for even a short period. She may be fearful, unsure of herself and distrusting of strangers, even small ones. There is also the possibility that sometime in the past she was harmed or frightened by children, even if they meant her no harm. By the way, although we don't want our pets to growl at kids, in a way it's actually a good thing; it shows that the dog has restraint and is able to give humans a warning when she doesn't want to be approached. A dangerous dog would simply attack a child who irritated her.

To deal with this issue, try building Sweetie's self-esteem. Praise her when she follows commands and when she quietly accepts strangers. Buy her a toy that dispenses small treats when she pushes it around and explores it; because she will succeed at "scavenging" food, she will build her confidence. A confident dog is much less apt to be afraid of people.

A trainer who uses positive methods may be able to help your animal reduce her fear of children. Also, a product called a Thunder Shirt is available commercially to help dogs feel more secure in potentially frightening situations.

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11y ago

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