Some aggression

[eklavya]

Bolt is 14 weeks old now and is giving some signs of dominance. Ours is a joint family with two kids ( age 10-12). I don't know why but Bolt becomes aggressive when he sees them. Sometimes, he is cool with the kids around but when they shout or laugh he just tries to jump on them and give a bite. Although, many times I have come to lead and corrected this behaviour but he has the same behaviour when I am not there. Help.

[magtie]

since kids are involvoed i would contact a trainer. This is something you want to deal with right away

[Big Dogs]

Bolt at this point is being a puppy he is trying to find his place in your household. Your children need to be taught what is acceptable and what is not and become involved in his training. When you say you are leading and correcting him how are you doing this? Also you say he is becoming aggressive with them when he sees them in what way and how do they interact with him do they rough house with him all the time or chase him? At this point in Bolts life I don't believe it is aggression he is playing with them the way he played with his litter mates he does need to be taught that mouthing or play biting of humans is not acceptable.

[eklavya]

By aggression I mean that he pulls their clothes with his mouth, shakes his head and growls. I direct his attention to somewhere else and then he stops this behaviour. But he is very sneaky and somehow finds his way to them. The kids don't play with him. They can't even come close to him because they can not control him physically. So we have to put him on leash when they are around.

[Big Dogs]

Do the children make allot of noise and quick movements near him? Also are the children scared of him at this point and do they run away from him? There are times for miss direction when dealing with a dog and there are times for a correction and this is one of those times for a correction and I do not mean anything abusive but there is nothing wrong with a firm leash correction. I'f bolt was acting this way with his mother you can believe she would give him a firm correction and his acting up would come to a screeching halt. This is the time to correct this behavior one or two corrections should be all it takes for him to get the message. Some of my clients have the mind set that there dogs will hate them and be mad at them forever, there is nothing farther from the truth as long as it is not done abusively or heavy handed he will not love you any less and it may help re-affirm that you are the pack leader not him. At this point it is him just playing and when animals or small children run his instinct is to chase and run down left unchecked this can lead to aggression issues he needs to understand children and humans are not play toys.

[jelly8bean]

I would definitely involve a trainer at this point if possible. I think that Bolt is just trying to play and not actually aggressive, but that this behavior has to be dealt with as soon as possible. This may require some behavior modification from your kids as well, and it will definitely require of your time to supervise interaction. A bit of attention now can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment for your whole family (Bolt included!)

[diesel]

true

[diesel]

very good advice

[Ahzuz]

Good advices.. thanks