pointy not comfortable with other peoples children,advice please

[nerfmum]

I am looking after a friends kids today, have 3 ds of my own. Our 2 yr old lurcher is fine with our kids loves having his ears twiddled etc. But he just growled (softly)at girl when she just happened to - well nothing really, she just came a little close to him. She wasn't coming to stroke him, she was just playing with my boys near the sofa that I was sat on with the dog.
I made dog leave the sofa and he has gone upstairs to get some peace and quiet.
But, advice please, he is fine with our kids, but unsure of others. How can I help him?

A growl is just his way of saying that he isn't happy - a growl should never be punished otherwise you get a dog that bites without warning.

It's good he is able to escape to somewhere he is happy, but it might be worth having a gentle word with the children asking them to respect the dog and leave him alone if he is upstairs. With strange children we always say that if the dog comes to them they can gently stroke him, but they should never go to the dog especially if asleep or eating.

We also never leave the dogs and children together out of sight. You didn't mention the age of the children as this might be a factor in his discomfort - i.e. if he is used to slightly older children and the visiting ones are younger and less predicatable. Also, you have boys so he is probably not used to the higher pitch of little girls excited voices .

Hope that helps, but it sounds like you have a lovely, well mannered dog.

Mrs Z is absolutely right. Your lurcher is simply saying he's not comfortable and will be much happier upstairs where he can get some peace and quiet and a comfy bed. Can I just add that many parents become accustomed to the sheer noise children make - but dogs are sensitive to noise and if there are extra DC in the house, playing exuberantly the noise may simply be too much for him, particularly if there is shrieking/squealing etc.

thanks for replys
They were playing really quietly though. I was just a bit shocked, IF they had been noisy, jumping about it would have been more understandable. He seamed to relax and day went on though. I want my kids to be able to have friends round - but its such a worry.

my trainer says its perfectly ok to tie up dog when kids are around

i felt it cruel at first but it has really calmed down ours