Does your dog have a fear of children ? There are some dogs which see children and immediately become upset. There are signs in a dog’s body language to look for to determine if your dog is being fearful including a hunched back, a tucked tail, trembling and/or urinating. Defensive aggression may occur also with a fear of children where the dog may growl, bark or show his teeth.
Fear of Children
There may be several reasons why your dog is fearful of children including:
Genetic Predisposition Some dogs are naturally more submissive than others which may lead to a fear of children. These dogs not only fear children but also likely fear loud noises, groups of adults or other activities which are unfamiliar. Not Enough Socialization If your dog has a fear of children, it could simply be due to a lack of socialization. If your dog has not been around children much as a puppy, he may be fearful of children in the future. Trauma Your dog could be fearful of children due to some type of traumatic experience. If children were involved or nearby, your dog is likely to associate the experience with children.
Your dog may be displaying signs of a submissive dog rather than a fearful dog. How do you know if your dog is actually fearful of children? If your dog interacts with children but does not attempt to avoid the child, it is likely the dog is simply submissive and not fearful.
If your dog is fearful of children, it is likely the fear will trigger aggression. A dog who is not able to run away from the children may display aggressive behavior. It is absolutely critical not to use punishment as a way to handle the fearful behavior. You should also avoid using any type of reward to bring the dog near the child(ren). If your dog is fearful of children, it is highly recommended to consult a professional to determine what is best for your particular situation.
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Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.
