Dog growls at toddler- I am worried

[sunflowers365]

We have a dog and a toddler. The dog growls when the toddler approaches her, especially (but not exclusively) when she is in her bed. The dog does a high pitched bark / growl thing and does ‘snap’ towards the toddler (with an open mouth). My husband probably thinks I am overly-worried, but I am very scared of my toddler getting bitten. We separate them, but live a flat so this is not fun for anyone. I think the risk of my toddler getting bitten is too high & we should re-home the dog. My husband says we should not re-home the dog unless the problem gets ‘worse’. I feel when the problem gets ‘worse’ the damage will be done and it will be too late. The thought of my toddler getting seriously injured is very scary. My husband says anything could happen in a home, like a toddler getting hurt in sliding door etc. Yes, but risks taken have to be reasonable. Would love to know your thoughts? We have a baby gate now and a dog trainer coming next week.

You need to safeguard your child and rehome the dog. Is there anyone who can take it while you find a good home?

I would get advice from the trainer, but ultimately I would rehome. He’s growling which is a clear warning. I’d want to know what an expert thinks though

Your child comes first. Do you have a family member or friend who would take on your dog? I had a similar situation, dog with a non verbal autistic grand child who could not stand the barking, so my stepson took the dog for me. I visit him and he remembers me. I continue to pay for his pet insurance, vaccinations etc

Has a health visitor been round?

Lose the dog before you lose your child

Rehome now. Sorry, but you have to.

It sounds like a high bite risk. I don't think you can risk waiting for things to get "worse" and I think you need to try to address it. Consider rehoming if the things you try don't work. Training the toddler to stay away from the dog would be a good start, maybe making the dog a safe toddler-proof place like a dog crate?

Good that you have an appointment for a dog trainer. Make sure they aren't telling you outdated "alpha" stuff. It should be positive and force free.

This is good for the child management side: (search in page "toddler")

https://babysafedogtraining.com/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

What breed is it?

We had some issues and were prepared to get a trainer in (we were on a waitlist for a very good guy in our area) but we did a lot of work with both our dog and toddler and it resolved.
We do a lot ongoing "training" with the toddler on how to be kind to the dog.

We do not interrupt/ pet doggie when eating.
We do not pull hair
We do not go into doggies bed
We do not give doggie kisses or hugs in bed
We DO give biscuits
We DO say good dog
We DO give soft hands
We DO help put doggies coat and lead on

If you aren't prepared to teach your toddler (and you can) and train your dog (which you can) then you need to rehome the dog.

The dog is giving you plenty of warning here so you should listen to it. Thank the dog for telling you and remove the child immediately. Never tell the dog off for growling.Try a behaviourist if you want to feel you've done all you possibly can.

Hi,

When a dog goes to its bed, that’s often an attempt to reach its ‘safe space’. Any intrusion of that space, when it may already be feeling stressed, is likely to lead to growling, followed possibly by biting. As a general rule, dogs in their beds should be left alone. (My youngest adult DS learnt this the hard way when he bothered our rescue in his bed.)

Your stressed dog has - fortunately- been able to warn you by growling, rather than going straight for the bite. It sounds like your dog is frightened of your child and this isn’t going to end well, as sooner or later he is likely to escalate as growling hasn’t worked.

Rehoming your dog asap, BEFORE he has bitten, will give him the very best chance of getting a more suitable home. It’s not anyone’s fault, but imo, you do need to act now in everyone’s best interests.

Dogs Trust are good to call for advice. Also, if your dog is a specific breed, you could contact a specialist rescue- they are usually very good and it may be possible to rehome your dog straight from your house to minimise the stress for him.

Good luck, and in the meantime, I strongly advise keeping dog and child apart at all times.

The growling would be bad enough, but the snapping as well would make me want to rehome the dog.

Dog goes. No questions asked.

What breed is it and how old is the dog?

Your toddler should never be allowed to approach the dog in its bed. Put its bed behind a baby gate.

Stop toddler approaching dog at all.

Talk to the trainer but if you feel it will not be possible to implement their advice (which will be keep them separate, never allow the toddler to approach the dog etc), and if you are the one primarily at home so having to do the policing, not your DH, then the dog needs a new child-free home where it will be happier.

Growl is bad enough the snap is a no.
Sorry but you have to keep toddler safe.
I'd be forced to re-home as sad as that is, number one priority is your child.

Rehome the dog.

The dog is probably at the perfect height to bite your childs face. Don't take the risk. "Sorry about the scars on your face kiddo, our dog bit you"