I dont know which board this goes on so i figured i would write it here. We adopted a puppy (14 weeks lab mix some people tell me shes a lab/doberman mix - some lab/rott mix) from a local shelter. Real loving when we first saw her to the kids as well. Heard labs are good kid dogs so decided we would go ahead and get her. Kids have a swing set in back and just recently when they swing she starts chasing them, growling and barking and biting at them, she will lay low in the grass and jump at them(she is waging her tail and all) it really scares my kids and they start crying and blocking themselves which in turn scares me. The dog continues to taunt them until i just take them inside. Then the dog will sit there and want inside. she is slowly starting to behave in the same manor inside as outside. she will stare at them and then it starts again. My son is very hyper active and just provoks the manor more. Is this a sign of aggression for the dog? or will obiendence school and getting her fixed help? or is it time to call it quits and not have a dog? thank you for all advice.

i'm no expert and without seeing it first hand you can never be sure, but it sounds like a puppy trying to play to me. bowing down, tail in the air and barking while jumping around are usually signs that a dog (especially a pup) thinks they've found a fun game. and of course he wants to come inside when you take the kids in - you just took away his toys...

if he is just playing, about the worst that would happen is an ACCIDENTAL snag of a tooth or an incidental collision that can topple a child. that can hurt, but he wouldn't mean any harm. just explain to your kids that he's playing and isn't trying to hurt them, maybe they'll loosen up a bit, too.

just keep an eye on him and if he gets too rough, take him to the other side of the yard to chase a ball or something.

obedience is always a good idea, whether there's a possible behavioral problem or not.

Sounds like normal puppy behavior - BUT both kids and pup need to be supervised in all their interactions. The kids need to learn how to act when the dog is loose in the yard and taught appropriate ways to play with the pup. The pup should be started on "manners" training and start to learn what is acceptable behaviour. The pup should be put up when the kids are engaged in active running games or on the swings - dogs play
(prey) drive is brought out by fast movement and the quick moves, high pitched noise and erratic movements of small kids are asking for the type of behavior the pup is exhibiting. A crate for the house and car and a secure outside kennel would probably help in controlling the interactions of kids and dog. Hint Hint there is good articles on kids and dogs in the articles area on this site.

This could very well be just puppy stuff. But let me tell you, I do not know how old your kids are, being this dog came from a shelter, you do not know the history behind him. Not meaning to sound to harsh, but I would not leave my daughter with a dog like this. The type of things that this dog is displaying could easliy turn into a bad dog bite for one of your children. This is a Rott and Lab mix you think. There have been a number of cases where Rotts have killed or mauled children.

I recommend that you purchase some video's on basic ob. training, get a crate, and do not alow the dog to make prey OF your children or ruffhouse with your children. This is an accident waiting to happen. I would not just chalk it up to a puppy just playing. You must learn how to control this dog, and how to house him. Good Luck.

By the way you describe her wagging her tail & pouncing on the kids while they play is just a big game to her. She's having a blast. The kids running around & swinging on the swingset triggers her natural instinct to chase & bite, but in prey drive; the same reaction you would have if you threw a ball for her. She will chase the ball & bite it. Otherwise, if the kids aren't hyper and running around, she's fine as you described. This is NOT aggression towards the kids, she's just having a good time. The growling may be accompanied by either the crying, the kids trying to defend themselves, or the kids playing too rough with her.

With that said, I would get the kids involved in playing fetch with her or playing tug. This sounds like a puppy that just wants something to do, or she occupys herself with whatever is around her. Don't isolate her from the kids, get them involved. You'll see a big difference when you bring all that energy and focus towards something she really loves, such as a ball or a tug.

Seems to me to be puppy play rather then real aggression what makes this dangerous is the kids reaction to this play. The kids must be taught how to inter act with the puppy.

Fetch and Ob training will help them understand each other better. But first you as the main care keeper of both have to have some control. You need to be able to tell them both to stop. The puppy which is the one in most danger now, danger of losing his home again, maybe. Should be taught what is approipate play and what is not. This can start before formal Ob training.

You should have the kids play and carry on while you hold the puppy on a leash, if he starts this growling and barking rough play pop the leash and say "No" praise him when he stops. Have the kids come by when he is calm and pat him and or play a short game of fetch, have them treat him.

Off leash have the kids throw a ball or stick when he comes up wanting to play. You send him away no needs to scream or show fear.

Praise him for fetching or staying clam while the kids pat him, (he can roll over and act like a puppy as long as its in a calm, non aggressive way). No barking, growling, jumping up or pushing, you check that if it happens.

I'd get a grip on this ASAP because it sounds like you and the kids are starting be afraid of the puppy. You should be concerned but not afraid. Its all your fault, the puppy doesn't know the rules yet he is just want to play, ruff as it may be.

I had a simlar situation with my Grand Son 7 yr old. and my RottieX, I told him to stop running and screaming, he did it again both dogs were in a down, she broke her down and stood up watching him intently, body ridged. I downed her again and told him to stop, we walked them side by side later and he had her leash. He petted her all the way. So they got alone well his screaming and running made her alert on him. Of course there is a X factor here, but she really loves kids and being petted. My wife has a day care and the kids love her. She is really a teddy bear, we all think that until they bite someone. :rolleyes:

Kids reactions can trigger even the calmest dog, that has not been trained to accept it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you all so much for the advice <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> She is a Lab/Doberman mix by the way (found out). Not sure of what a doberman is like or anything. Seems like it is just play as everyone is saying. She is fine with them anyother time.

Is there such a thing as a mix without lab in it? Is there anything they won't screw?

Steve
Being the most popular dog in America or listed with AKC as such, can cause a polulation explosion and a lot LabXs. Some people do this on purpose wanting a lab with a little something extra most times its an accident, not seperating the two before the bitch is in heat. I know you were just shooting sh&*. But sh*& happens, right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

At one time there were and still is a lot or RottieXs, GSDXs. I don't see that much DoberXs anymore???

Kim the Dobermann at one time use to be a feared and powerful protection dog, In America this has been breed out of him, but even at that he still pretty aggressive, to the average joe. It what he was breed to do.

There was a saying in Germany, "That if you can touch, my Dobermann you can have him". Meaning the dog was so aggressive that only the handler could get close to him. And that was the way they wanted it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Kelly, the Dobermann at one time use to be a feared and powerful protection dog, In America this has been breed out of him, but even at that he still pretty aggressive, to the average joe. It what he was breed to do.

There was a saying in Germany, "That if you can touch, my Dobermann you can have him". Meaning the dog was so aggressive that only the handler could get close to him. And that was the way they wanted it.

I meant Kelly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />