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How to keep my dog from growling at my son?

I am looking for some advice, my son (10) and I just moved in with my now husband and his 11/12 year old terrier mix. I feel like our dog has an interesting relationship with my son. They share the same bed and night, he let's my son play with him and pet him but he tends to get growly around my son during the day When my son plays upstairs he and he hears him thumping around he will growl. When my son comes down the stairs he will growl. When call my sons name he will growl, when my son comes in from being outside he will growl. I'm at a lost on how or if I should address this. He doesn't get aggressive with my son, he has nipped him once only bc my son didn't read his cues when he was tired if being petted. My son hadn't hurt him as far as I know. My son really loves the dog and gets disheartened when he's growled at. Is there a good way to adress the growling? Or I'd there a way to foster a better relationship between them?

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Don't correct the growl. The growl is a warning, and should be praised instead as a 'thanks for letting me know you are uncomfortable' rather than no warning and then just a bite.

Have your son do the scheduled feedings, do clicker-treat training with high value food, take for structured (not pulling) walks, and have your son get really involved in the day to day stuff.

Also try the umbilical cord method. This means keeping the dog on a leash at all times attached to your son. Your son should not try to talk, touch, or make eye contact for at least 24hours. This will teach the dog he calls the shots, not the dog.

You can also try hand feeding if your dog doesn't have resource guarding issues.

Comments

don't let the dog sleep in the bed with your son. The best thing to do is make sure the dog is not aloud on any furniture for a week or two then after that time has passed the dog can only come up on furniture when invited.