My APBT is now 12 going on 13. He is a really stable dog or always has been. I think the time has come he be given his space when it comes to kids. He has always been very patient and accepting of the hovering of kids. Today the neighbors kids were over. We were sitting outside and the little boy was hovering over him and leaning on him. He was in a down position. It was very hot and the child kept looming over him and leaning on him. I told the boy it was too hot to do that to him, his mother said nothing. I got up to take him in and the dog, the best I can describe moved his head upwards like a head but, I was already there and grabbed the boy by the shirt. It was a good thing beacuse Buddy's head would have hit the boys head. It was odd his snout was down, it looked like what he does to my female when he has had enough to push her away. I commanded him down again, he obeyed and then I took him in the house. He went to his crate and layed in it...it is cool on the plastic.

Do dogs get old and grumpy like people? I guess I should have made the child leave him alone, it was like he went to throw the boy off of him...I have seen him do it to my female dog when he is laying down and she is doing her dominance - pesky - I want you to pay attention to me thing. He brings his head up and knocks her under her snout and then walks away from her.

Regardless it was something he has never done and I feel his time with kids hovering over him is done. Am I over reacting? Maybe he just wants his space.....it really doesn't matter I will not allow anyone to be in harms way and I don't want anything to happen to him...he has been a wonderful patient dog, but he is old and I want all involved safe. I would very much appreciate this communities feedback. Thanks in advance.

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Do dogs get old and grumpy like people? I guess I should have made the child leave him alone, it was like he went to throw the boy off of him...

In my experience yes and yes. As dogs age, they get more achy just like us and less forgiving. A good rule of thumb is that by the time they SHOW discomfort or pain it's usually pretty bad.

I would make sure he is given his space.

 Quote: Valerie Tietz-Kelly

Do dogs get old and grumpy like people?

I have a 12 years old American Eskimo dog and he is very sensitive to touching. When he was younger, he was fine with rough petting. Now he is old. If anyone pets and held him very lightly and calm, he will be ok. When someone is petting and putting too much pressure, he cries out like he's in pain. I don't let him around people and kids who tend to rough around too much.

I don't let people and kids disturb him. He loves getting massage everywhere, his chin, chest, rear, and back.

The dog probably has arthritis (not helped by the heat) and the kid was pushing on his painful old bones.

It sounds like this dog has earned a right to a peaceful retirement.