My dog hates conflict/slight changes in voice tone.

[GreenTeacup]

Growing up we always had dogs who, if us children play fought, they would get between us and bark.

My two year old jack takes this to another level. If my 2 year old walks in the room whining and another of my children reach out to him, the dog will lunge himself between them snapping and growling. Play fighting is an absolute no no in my house. If the dog is sitting on my lap and the children are calling me, I have to be careful not to raise my voice as I get up as he immediately jumps up to stop me going any further.

We do not shout or show aggression to each other at all but he is just so protective and a slight voice change to one another can do it. He doesn’t favour family members either and will protect the one he deems to be injured against anyone who may approach. As soon as it calms down he is everyone’s friend again. It’s like he sees his role as peace keeper but we literally cannot interact on any level above calm and quietly.

This is the only time that he shows aggression.

He has never bitten at all but I do not entirely trust him and take precautions.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can desensitise him from doing it to this extreme?

[cowfacemonkey]

I really think you need a behaviourist involved. The level of control and supervision it requires to ensure he doesn’t react and hurt someone isn’t sustainable. There is a great dog behaviour support group on Facebook which would be a good starting point for advive

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

This sounds like a dog that's very worried about things, and a family that could do with some professional input from a behaviourist.

I'd contact a local APBC or CCAB accredited behaviourist; they're pricey but worth it and may be covered by insurance depending on your policy.

[Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten]

Quite common behaviour from the dog. Initially I would throw treats on the floor near him every time he reacts inappropriately.

No you are not rewarding the inappropriate behaviour you are sidetracking.

Let me know what happens when you do this
Depending on what he does is what they next step will be.

It does mean you have to have pockets on all clothes and carry a constant supply of treats!

[GreenTeacup]

Thank you so for your help. We have had a behaviourist previously for this but they advocated pack leadership roles.

I wonder if he feeds off of my energy though. He is often sitting on my lap and I wonder if I have a slight tense in anticipation when the children argue which he picks up on. I have stopped him sitting on my lap while we get this sorted and it has eased the situation somewhat.

[GreenTeacup]

Have someone getting back to me who has been recommended but they can’t see us until after Christmas.

Trying the treats today. Thank you

[AbbieActon]

I hope you can eventually sort this 'uncomfortable' behaviour out. It does sound an issue for a professional behaviourist but as you've already discovered, their recommendations have got to be in line with your own circumstances. He obviously believes that he has a protectionist role in the family and needs to be 'put right' on that front. It could well be that your own sub-conscious tension could be in play and the more he sees your children harmlessly interacting in front of him, the more normal and non-threatening he will find it.