I am distraught to say that my 7 month old pup has growled twice at my 5 year old son in the past 2 days.
Both instances occurred when she was laying on the rug in our kitchen.
First time she had just finished a bully stick (like 2 or 3 minutes before) and my son leaned over her and she growled very strongly at him. I verbally corrected her (no leash on, and scruff correction doesn't cut it w/ this dog). Not sufficient, I know...

Tonight, she was on laying on this same rug and I was sitting on the floor next to her. My son came over and squatted near her and she growled again. Again, stupidly on my part, she did not have a leash on and all she got was a verbal correction.

She is now sporting her prong collar and leash on when she is not in her crate.

So, where do I go from here? I am wavering at this point; my first concern has to be for my son, but I really feel like I am failing this pup.

Have you watched this yet?

Addition of Footage

And if you have not already gotten it, I would recommend the entire "Establishing Pack Structure" dvd.

Oops,
Lynne, does she guard resourses from you?
I take it the two children (the human child and the brat dog) have grownup together?
At seven months I wouldn't back off using the pinch collar 24/7 if necessary. That is if it doesn't escalate the issue.
Did she quiet down after you gave the verbal correction?
Failing her? Oh I don't know, she could be just pushing boundries.
Sounds like your doing the right thing, set those boundries for her. Mean while I'm sure you know, not to leave the dog and child alone together, even to poor a cup of coffee for yourself.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Randy, she generally does not resource guard. Not food aggressive. When playing I always trade with another toy or treat and she outs pretty easily w/ no growling.
She definately will be wearing the prong collar when she's not in the crate...
I think the rug is the issue (not sure though).

 Quote: carol boche

Have you watched this yet?

Addition of Footage

And if you have not already gotten it, I would recommend the entire "Establishing Pack Structure" dvd.

Yes, I watched it...
I have the pack structure DVD, and will be watching it again starting tonight...

Lynne,
Not pointing fingers or anything, just trying to gather info, but has your child and dog ever had play time alone?
Also, was the verbal correction enough for the evening or afternoon, as the case may be?
Randy

While you address this, I just want to interject that I'd be giving any treats like that in the crate, and there would be no interaction between the dog and the child without me right there, and that even then, the child wouldn't be close. JMO.

Is this a rug that the dog views as her place or her mat or bed? Or just a rug? Did the dog have a chew-thing the second time, too?

I am strictly info-gathering too .... and pointing out some safety factors while you are dealing with the problem.

Lynne,
I apologize for the short post, I was going to add more when the phone rang at work.....but Randy and Connie pretty much already posted what I was thinking.

The DVD is excellent as well as the streaming video.

Definitely no interaction unless you are present and have a connection (lead/leash) with the dog.
And absolutely give her the treats like bully sticks in her crate.

None of my dogs get any chew treats unless they are crated. They do get food treats though, but they have to do something for it.

I know you can do this. Don't get discouraged or upset, or your dog will know since "everything flows down the leash".

You will be great.

Lynne, I doubt the issue is the rug. I believe it's the bully stick. The first time my dog showed any real aggression was when I gave him a rawhide chew, which I might add, Ed Frawley warns against doing because of that very thing - dogs can get aggressive over a rawhide chew. Several months later I gave him a bully chew. Same aggressive response. He never has guarded any food or bones, just the rawhide and bully stick. I threw the rest of the bully sticks away.

Going over a dog like your son did when they're jealous of and guarding a chew or bone will most definitely be a provocation to a dog. I understand the fear and shock you felt can be unsettling but don't let it take over. Do as the others posted about giving chew items in the crate. I personally would completely eliminate the source of the guarding, namely the bully sticks. And no rawhide either.

We like seeing our dogs chew away happily at these things, but they are not necessary to the dog's diet at all and can be eliminated completely. I would also (my personal opinion) not give any bones for chewing for quite a while, if ever again. I'm talking specifically about recreational bones, not the bones that are part of the dog's diet (I'd continue to give those either outside or in the dog's crate).

Also with your pup being 7 months old she is starting to mature and she may be starting to exhibit some dominance issues. Your 5 year old is the weakest link within your pack structure. Go to Ed's e-books and read preventing dog bites with children and the ground work e-books. These will help. You won't be able to elevate your child to be a pack leader. You are the pack leader and shouldn't let your pack show aggression to one another.

Also look back and see if there was any interaction between your child and dog that you may have missed that may have startled her or caught her off guard.

Step it up a little bit and watch her reaction when your child approaches her and correct her as soon as you see any signs of her getting ready to growl. You will be able to see her body lanquage change before she growls. Correct her as soon as possible before she actually growls if you can. That will help let her know she is not allowed to go there and will be easier for you to correct with a lower amount of correction. By placing things like this in the crate or other areas do not really correct the problem. Having the leash and prong is a good idea. With this being a pack issue correct her wait for he to submit and leave her to think it over. Keep on it until she gets the idea. Even if you have to repeat the corrections within a few seconds or minutes. If you let her get away with this it will empower her and more than likely escalate. Be stern, consistent and fair.

The dog needs to learn that aggression is not acceptable in any situation toward the child. If she starts with Bully bones now it could transfer to toys, food or other items, or the area she is laying down at. I think you would be better off teaching your child to be aware and stay away from the dog when she is chewing on them and teaching her not to show aggression. What if he wonders into the area or where the crate is when she has her treat? She could get aggressive there too.