Check out some similar questions!

magsamo · Feb 3, 2011, 10:31 AM

My daughter had a biscuit lying beside her & our dog just stole it,but when she went to take it back he growled twice at her. What do I do??

ballengerb1 · Feb 3, 2011, 10:34 AM

The dog thinks he is boss over your daughter. What does he do if you touch the biscuit? If he growls at you he thinks he's your boss too. You and every human in the house have to be boss (Alpha) over the dog. Before I go further tell me what he does when you touch it.

joypulv · Feb 3, 2011, 10:52 AM

You do some training sessions every day for as long as it takes.
Many times a dog will growl at someone he loves and it's just a warning, but we don't know you or your dog.
You put something on a side table near you, and wait for the dog to go near it. You say NO sharply and loudly and tug his leash sharply. You take it away and praise the dog if he doesn't take it. You do this over and over and over. You pat and praise and once in a while give him a dog treat, but not too often.
When you are sure about NO, you teach your dog GIVE when he has an object in his mouth. This can take many more days of training. You start with a new toy and help it out of his mouth, play with it a while yourself, put it away, praise the dog. No punishments; you just want him to know that you are alpha and he has to obey. Then proceed to a toy of his, which may puzzle him, but you give it back when you have established that you are boss and he has to give when you say so.
Finally, a food item.

joypulv · Feb 3, 2011, 10:59 AM

I did have a loving golden who never would growl and never give up an object. I adopted him when not a pup but that's no excuse...

joypulv · Feb 3, 2011, 10:59 AM

Who WOULD growl

excon · Feb 3, 2011, 11:04 AM

Hello m:

In addition to the great advice you've received, I'd also teach your daughter NOT to try to take food out of a dogs mouth..

excon

magsamo · Feb 3, 2011, 11:20 AM

He is 5yrs old & has never done this before.he will give you anything from his mouth but food.so angry in case it had been younger member of family

magsamo · Feb 3, 2011, 11:21 AM

He growls if we touch his bone or treat & I understand that, but to steal then growl to warn is not on

magsamo · Feb 3, 2011, 11:23 AM

Hi,she didn't try to take it back she was looking for it & she put her hand down to where she left it

ballengerb1 · Feb 3, 2011, 12:39 PM

If he also growls at you when you touch his treat then he thinks he is your boss too. There are many thing people can do accidentally when they give affection to their dog at the wrong times. This little guy somehow got the message that he is the pack leader, not you. He can be retrained if you are willing to work at it, are you?

JudyKayTee · Feb 3, 2011, 05:31 PM

I have taken things out of my dogs' mouths since they were puppies. Never had a problem with any dog I ever had and they were all rescues.

On the other hand - would I allow a child, including my own, try to take something from a dog? No.

A "biscuit" (which is probably a cookie in US terms) is a big temptation for a dog. Not saying he should take it but he did.

Did the dog growl, raise a lip, did his hair go up, something else or more?

One of my dogs mumbles under her breath every time she has something and my other dog walks by. The other dog then reaches over, takes it away from her and continues on her way. It's posturing - and it doesn't work.

joypulv · Feb 3, 2011, 06:25 PM

I remember now! I had joint custody of my golden with a man (week on, week off) who loved to play fight with the dog, encouraging him to tussle and attack and so on, despite my objections. (That's my excuse for being unable to train.)

Anyway, I wouldn't get so angry about your sweet 5 year old dog, who may have no intention of EVER hurting a child. As suggested by others, you need to read the signs of dog behavior. Even the curled lip can be almost a reflex, done while being quite obedient. It's dogs being dogs.

On the other hand, some dogs view a child as similar to a small animal and may lunge at one when they wouldn't do so with an adult (most know the child is helpless and needs protection and tolerance). It's your duty to know your dog and show him you are boss.

chantellybain · Feb 4, 2011, 04:02 PM

My dog does the samething but not to kids I just brought a new puppy home and she snapped at her so I just put my older dog in her place beofre she got to out of control, and also when my first dog was a puppy I would regularly go up to her mouth when she was eatting and when she had a treat and a toy anything that she made her, I made mine as well I guess that helped a bit

ballengerb1 · Feb 4, 2011, 05:05 PM

In your case the puppy does not know how to read your older dog and is making mistakes. Older dogs remains the Alpha and is putting her in her place. I would not interfere beyond keeping the little guy safe. They are talking dog language and one of them must be "in their place" all on their own, just let them figure it out.

chantellybain · Feb 5, 2011, 06:13 AM

The puppy knows the bigger dog was here first and that's fine by me it's just my older dog still a puppy (1yr) she has very high energy and when she starts to either play or domanate the younger dog she gets to wound up

chantellybain · Feb 5, 2011, 06:16 AM

& she gets put in a very bad state of mind that's hard 2 get her out of, be4 I got the puppy she would try to be the alpha dog over me,by me doing what I'm doing I'm showing both of them that me & my husband are the alpha dog&will always be