Greetings, I am new here and this is my first post. Puppy question (black lab female, biggest in the littler of 8), new puppy who is 11 weeks old is growling at my youngest daughter (7 yrs old). This hasn't happened until today. We went away for the weekend and the puppy stayed at a friends house. The friends house is actually where we got the puppy, both parents are there and Quinn (our puppy) stayed there all weekend. Anytime my daughter puts her face to the puppy to give her a kiss she growls. Why is this happening and how do I break this? She doesn't growl at anyone else, should I start to worry? Thanks CW
Hi and welcome . I truly wouldn't ever let a child, or adult put their faces right to a dogs face , even a puppy . Some pup/dogs like being hugged , kissed etc whereas some truly dislike it , even the family friendly Labrador . If this is the only time Quinn is growling , then I would just make sure you don't allow your daughter to try and kiss him . My own Labrador who is almost six years old is the most loving loyal dog , who loves everyone, but he doesn't like to be kissed , never did, even as a puppy , so we don't !
Hi and welcome. I agree with @kateincornwall. Despite all the 'cute' photos we see on the internet of children and puppies/dogs frequently the dog is displaying signs of stress. Being cuddled/kissed is not natural behaviour for dogs - they don't go and hug each other. Please listen to your puppy who is actually being polite and warning, by growling, that she is uncomfortable otherwise it is a real possibility that the growl will escalate to a snap or bite
Welcome from me, Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. Great advice already given. My dogs love a kiss and cuddle Hattie is a Pets as Therapy Dog and is kissed and cuddled all the time but she loves it but not all puppies or dogs do. I hope this advise helps x
This video should be compulsory viewing to anyone bringing up a dog and children together: http://stopthe77.com/ Your puppy may just be playing, but absolutely, honestly, never have your child put their face anywhere near the puppy's face. Even in play, a puppy's mouth is loaded with offensive weapons and will draw blood in an instant. It is just not worth it. My adorable puppy put a nice gash in my nose a month or so ago. Entirely in play, but it didn't hurt any less for it. My fault for having my face too close. If it had been anyone else she'd done it to, I'd have felt awful. She could have accidentally caused much, much worse damage.
Wow, thanks for the great advice and such quick response. Here is the weird part Quinn doesnt growl at anyone else who puts their face to hers and kisses her. My wife does this a lot, this probably where my daughter learned it! Lol I will be sure my daughter stops. Looking forward to being apart of this forum. Thanks again! CW
Here's a really useful poster of Do's and Don'ts for children and dogs https://www.facebook.com/iSpeakDogW...41828.293916560989014/417294528651216/?type=3
Thank you so much for sharing this. I love the videos they've got for the different age levels. Can't wait to show my kids in the morning. Hopefully they'll listen to catchy tunes more than they listen to me!
Just wanted to say welcome to you and your family. Really good advice above. My girl loves hugs and will lie all over me, but I let her do it rather than make her do it. I taught a 'kiss' which I point to my chin and she will touch it with her muzzle, but sometimes chooses not too which is fine too. I didn't teach this until she was about 10 months old.
Hi and welcome - my boy is a very cuddly and kiss loving boy - always has been, in fact at night he walks up the bed to get a kiss from both me and the OH - however, it is only us that he lets do this - and I do stop children from throwing their arms around his neck. It is not something that he is used to (we don't have kids), although he is very used to children of all ages from being at the rugby club with us since we brought him home. However, kids near him is always supervised and if he is not keen then we walk away.
