Aggression in Dogs: Children – Treatment

Why would a dog act aggressively toward children?

Dogs may behave aggressively toward children for several reasons. A dog may be frightened, frustrated, in pain, or concerned about losing something valuable. Children may also miss the dog’s warning signals and continue an interaction after the dog has tried to move away. Any sign of fear or aggression toward a child requires additional safety precautions and professional assessment.

What should I do if my dog shows aggression toward a child?

If your dog growls, snarls, snaps, or bites a child, immediately end the interaction and prevent further contact. Do not scold your dog. Scolding will not resolve the problem and may increase your dog’s fear and aggression.

Even subtle signs of fear and aggression require additional safety precautions, including situations in which your dog previously interacted appropriately with children. You may need to completely separate your dog from children until your dog has been examined by your veterinarian and assessed by a veterinary behaviorist or qualified behavior professional. 

If your dog can relax behind a barrier, you may use a gate, but do not allow children to tease your dog or reach through the gate. If your dog reacts to children outside your home, always keep your dog on a leash outdoors.

How is aggression toward children assessed?

A behavioral assessment considers several factors:

• The underlying reason for the behavior
• Whether the aggression is directed toward familiar or unfamiliar children
• The events or situations that trigger an aggressive response

Your behavior professional will explain the diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. In all cases, your treatment plan will include close adult supervision or separation when children are nearby.

Why might a dog behave aggressively toward a familiar child?

Some dogs direct aggression mainly toward familiar children, typically children who live in the household. This aggression is often related to conflict over resources, although there can be other triggers. A dog may react because of pain if a child pulls on them, or because of fear if children are very loud or active. 

One important treatment step is to enforce safety guidelines to protect both your dog and your child. For example, children who are not yet gentle should never be able to grab or handle your dog roughly. 

Part of the treatment is to help children learn the best ways to interact with your dog so they can enjoy each other’s company. Teach your children about canine body language so they can recognize when a dog is showing fear or signaling that they need space. Children can also learn how their gestures and movements can affect their dog.

Why might a dog behave aggressively toward an unfamiliar child?

Some dogs direct aggression mainly toward unfamiliar children or children who live outside the household. The triggers may be similar and can include conflict over resources or unwanted handling.

Unfamiliar children are more likely to trigger a fear response, particularly if your dog has never lived with children and is not accustomed to their noises and activities. Other triggers may include children running, such as while playing a ball game, and children entering the dog’s property and triggering territorial aggression.

If your dog behaves aggressively toward children outside the home, keep them leashed whenever children are nearby. If you must walk near children, your behavior professional may recommend management equipment such as a head halter or properly fitted basket muzzle. Do not allow children to interact with your dog while they are wearing this equipment.

A basket muzzle can help prevent a bite if a child approaches unexpectedly, but it does not replace distance and careful supervision. Because a muzzled dog cannot use their mouth to defend themselves, keep unleashed dogs away.

How is aggression toward children treated?

Behavior modification can often be used to improve your dog’s ability to accept some of the behaviors that trigger aggression. Before behavior modification begins, you will need to use management strategies to avoid interactions that could create conflict. 

For aggression related to resources, treatment usually begins with removing valuable resources when children are nearby. Over time, it may be possible to teach your dog to remain comfortable when children are nearby while they have something valuable.

Reward-based training can also be used to teach your dog basic cues, such as “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” These cues can improve your communication with your dog. When a child asks a trained dog to follow a familiar cue, they create a predictable social interaction. Training cues allow children and dogs to share a language.

Your treatment plan might include desensitization and counterconditioning to reduce your dog’s fear or arousal when near children. This training may require two adults—one to ensure no children get too close and one to work with the dog. 

How can desensitization and counterconditioning help?

Desensitization is a behavior modification technique that involves gradual and systematic exposure to a stimulus until it no longer triggers an emotional response. Desensitization is always done in a slow, step-by-step fashion. It is essential that children are safe and not frightened. This training should be planned and supervised by a qualified behavior professional. 

It can be helpful to pair desensitization with another behavior modification technique known as counterconditioning. During counterconditioning, a stimulus that has triggered an unpleasant emotional response, such as fear, is paired with something known to create a positive emotional response, such as tasty food. 

It is helpful to pre-condition fearful or excitable dogs to relax on cue when there are no children around. Using a reward-based approach, you can easily teach your dog to sit-stay and relax, or to lie down and settle on a mat. 

During your first desensitization and counterconditioning session, begin by helping your dog settle (or sit, stay, relax) at a comfortable distance from a quiet child. Frequently feed your dog tasty treats as they remain relaxed and show no signs of concern about the child. 

After every two to three sessions, move a little closer. If your dog shows signs of stress, move farther away from the child until your dog is comfortable again. Sometimes, it is best to end the session and start fresh another day. Your behavior professional can help determine when it is safe to progress. In all sessions, maintain enough distance that your dog shows no signs of fear or arousal. 

Your dog may show discomfort in several ways, including:   

• Yawning or lip licking 
• Trembling or fidgeting 
• Holding their ears back  
• Tucking their tail 
• Looking around or attempting to escape 
• Barking 
• Raised hair 
• Snarling, growling, or snapping 

If your dog does not regularly interact with children, the goal may simply be for them to sit, relax, and remain comfortable while watching children pass them by. For household children, sessions may eventually progress to your dog taking treats from them. In some cases, a basket muzzle may be recommended. Be sure to work closely with a professional who can recognize very subtle changes in your dog’s posture, especially if your dog is wearing a muzzle. 

How can I encourage my dog to enjoy children?

Classical conditioning can be used to help your dog look forward to seeing children by pairing the presence of children with something pleasant. During this training, give your dog high-value treats whenever children are nearby. Over time, your dog may learn to associate the presence of children with a positive experience.

If you are concerned that your dog could become nervous or bite, all treats should come from an adult. If your dog has no history of fear or aggression, and you are trying to help them enjoy children, you may allow children to feed the treats as well. It is important to supervise and manage all interactions with dogs and children. Maintain a comfortable distance, particularly if children seem boisterous. The positive conditioning can easily be undone. 

Can aggression toward children be eliminated?

There are limitations when treating aggressive behavior toward children. Aggression can never be fully removed from a dog’s range of behaviors. In some cases, your behaviorist may recommend permanently avoiding certain interactions or suggest that your dog be permanently separated or re-homed.

Safety takes priority when a dog has shown fear or aggression toward a child. Do not test your dog’s tolerance or allow further interactions while waiting for a professional assessment. Contact your veterinarian and follow the management and treatment plan provided by your veterinary behaviorist or qualified behavior professional.