Dog starting to growl at child

[tinks28]

Hi There,

We have a 2 year old chihuahua and recently she has begun to growl at my youngest child (3 years). We adopted this dog around 6 months ago. This only happens when she is on my lap and my my child tries to cuddle me. She's clearly jealous but i'm a little worried it may get worse as she tried nip her once.
I've tried dealing with this by immediately putting her on the floor and telling her "No" or putting her in the garden.
Any suggestions would be appreciated?

Thanks.

Bumping for you

We had a problem with our rehomed border terrier and brought in a dog trainer early on. Best £65 we ever spent! He got the whole family involved in ensuring the dog knew she was lowest in the pecking order. We each had to pretend to eat her food in turn before giving it to her, with a minute in between, gradually reducing the time. Lots of stirring and yum yumming in front of her, then setting on the side. Felt a bit of a prat but only did it a week or so. Other thing was not to tolerate any bad behaviour so came down on her like anything if she growled, immediately pushing her down, 'bad dog', sent to bed etc. Worked a treat and she is a darling with the children now. Don't stand for it! Good luck!

Please don't waste your money on anyone who talks such rubbish as the dominance theory.

You can eat in front of your dog if you like - it will make no difference whatsoever - it will make you feel like a real prat as already mentioned and will achieve nothing

Never never never ever stop a dog from growling. A growl is not aggression it is a warning. You can and must prevent the situation which causes the growl. If you stop the growling as mentioned in the above post your dog will have no option than to up there game and the next stage may be a bite.

tinks28 you are doing just the right thing as soon as the dog growls pop her on the floor and ignore her. Little dogs do get big dog behaviour at times and do need to be shown the required behaviour. If she is quiet on the floor praise and treat.

You little dog is guarding and being protective but is really not trying to dominate the family!

ok that makes no sense what so ever. how is the dog being 'guarding and protective'???? i have REAL family guard dogs and they have never once growled at my children. a true guard dog will only go into protection mode when there is a threat to its owner/owners. a small child attempting to cuddle their mother is not a threat. chihuahuas are one of the most likely breeds to be insecure and have aggression issues usually due to 'small dog syndrome' seriously though no dog that growls should be allowed to sit on chairs/beds and certainly not on your lap because your just nuturing that behaviour. set rules and boundaries for the dog i.e no going on chairs, beds. no jumping at tables etc. do you have any other issues with the dog or is that it? and also teach your daughter that despite the dogs recent behaviour, to not be fearful of your dog. your little girl should never be made to feel that shes got to be cautious in her own home. you dont need to pay a trainer to tell you what to do. before rescuing or buying a dog you really need to research the breed and see that they suit you and your lifestyle. i hope everything works out for you though x

That is the whole point he is not a "true guard dog" (whatever that is) It is a little dog that does not understand the correct behaviour. She is being overprotective of the lap. Hence daughter comes near and the growling is to get the daughter to back off. If the dog learns growl means put on the floor the growling will stop

I would not let dogs on my furniture but not to stop it being aggressive.

Of course the daughter should be cautious of dogs and learn how to behave around them in her own home and out and about.

The dog hasn't growled recently and I think I will try and continue putting her on the floor when she does growl.
Maybe getting my daughter to give the dog her food bowl may help.
I do know her background before taking her in as she was with friend's of ours, she lived with a large pit bull but never had any problems with children before.
Thanks very much for all your advice,much appreciated. :)