Please help - our 10 m\o puppy just attacked my 6 yo son...

[Kim Ledoux]

I lurked on these boards for months and have basking in our puppy glow until tonight - I really need some advice or words of wisdom here...

We have a 10 month old goldendoodle named Maddie.  She is sweet but a bit submissive (when you go to her she rolls on her belly or sometimes pees when she is excited).  When she meets other dogs she goes right up to them and tries to dominate I think, she puts her paw over their back, etc.

She follows all of her commands, sit, stay, paw, lay down, come.  She is very mouthy though and jumps up on the kids and nips a ton.  We crate her during the day and at night still, she is great about it.  She wrecks all of her toys, I know it's a puppy/doodle thing though...

She went to a training daycare a few days a week - all about positive reinforcement and treats.  She was crated or penned when she needed it, played with other dogs.  They had to shut down recently as the owner was sick so she is at an all day playcare now a few times a week.  No training and all of the dogs play together all day.

So she has always had a problem with resource guarding.  Only when it comes to high value things that she really wants like bones or something she is not supposed to have, like a sock.  Not toys or anything.  She growls etc.  Tonight while I was in the other room my son tried to take a wrapper she had found on the floor and she attacked him,  He has several gashes on his face and we are lucky it was not worse - they are still bleeding now.

I know this is our issue, a training issue.  We have not worked with her enough on the nipping and jumping (this happens only when the kids are running) and resource guarding,  What are the things we can start doing asap?  It just so happens that earler today I trained with her for 15 mins and even traded her treats for her stuffy toys,  She was fine with it.  We don't do it enough and maybe need to call in some professional help.

I'm sorry this is long but any other threads or resources you can point me too would help ease this sinking awful feeling I have.

Thanks for reading and input,

Kim

[LucyR]

This is a very serious situation.  The puppy need training, as do your kids!  I would call in a pro trainer that you trust to explain the problem.  At the same time, I would make your children aware of what they can and can't do with the puppy!  A no-no includes trying to take a high value treat (aka candy wrapper) from your puppy!  KIds need to call Mommy to do this.  Doggies need to learn to trade even the very highest value treats.  Maybe someone can advise on the kids running-puppy nipping issue.  I'm no help there.  This situation needs to be brought under control ASAP for the benefit of both the family and the pup!  Where do you live?  Can you get recommendations for a trustworthy trainer, if you don't have one already.  I would put both kids and doggie in training!

When my Ozzie was a puppy, he growled at me once when I tried to take something from him.  Fortunately he knew sit and give-it by that time.  He was told in a no-nonsense voice to sit and give it, which he did.  Growling should not be tolerated under these circumstances, period!

Sorry your son was attacked.  How old is he?  This incident should not be taken lightly since pup got away with it once, it will happen again unless corrected-but in a positive way.  Call a trainer!

[Buster and Kathy]

I know you must be devastated that this happened, both for your child and your dog.  I agree that a competent trainer is needed.  In the meantime, put the dog on a leash and do not let her off, even while in the house. Keep her close to you at all times so that you know her every move and she is more in tune with your expectations. I learned this from my trainer when Buster was 5 months and guarding stolen socks!  She said that he had not earned the right to be off of the leash yet.  He's 9 months now and hasn't been on the leash for several months.  He has learned to respect the underground fence and so much more.  Get help, it is worth the investment.

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

I don't have anything constructive to say - Except I think you would get more responses if you posted in the training group.

I hope your son is OK.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Go to www.apdt.com and find a certified behaviorist in your area. This problem cannot be solved in a post. Your kids need to learn how to deal with a dog and your dog needs to feel more secure. If your dog is rolling over and peeing a little, she is submissive. This is not a dominance issue.

You need to find a certified behaviorist to work with you NOW.
 Until this is resolved, do not leave you kids and dog together without supervision. Do not allow them to try and take anything out of her mouth.

This issue can be resolved with someone who knows how to help you understand and stop this behavior. Your kids will need to learn how to treat your dog as well.

All the best to you and your family.

[Kim Ledoux]

Thanks everyone I have an appointment for Monday.  The trainer was gave me some great tips - I think soley treating is just not working for us.  We are locking her down from now on.  On a leash at all times and crateing her more than just when we leave the house and at night.

Our kids know not to ever touch the dogs things or try too take anything away from her but it only takes one time.  My sons instinct was to take away something he thought could be dangerous and my dogs was to keep what was hers.  We are definitely investing in some one on training.

Thanks again.

 

Kim

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You are on the right track, Kim.  This can be taken care of by training of both the child and the dog.

[shelly]

Hi Kim - I know how you feel - tori did the same thing to me - out of the blue one night when I went to reach under the bed to take a sock away form her... there have been many discussion on here - if you put in dog bit son - you may find a couple.  Here's one that I just found quickly.  But you are not alone!  And you are doing everything right now that you can.... good luck!

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/aggression-towards-my-youn...