Any idea what would cause this? The puppy was behaving normally before he left for his new home and when he first got there, but after a couple of days he started to growl at the children and then generalised to growling to other people too?

It sounds as if he could be stressed and not being allowed to settle in in his own time. Perhaps the children are picking him up, or getting him over-excited, or they're having lots of visitors round to meet the puppy, and so on, and it's all too much for him. It's also possible that he's not being allowed plenty of quiet nap-time and is over-wound and over-tired.

Fully agree with JG. Pups that aren't already used to children often find it a bit difficult to start with. One of my latest went to a home with children and there the children were not allowed to touch the pup at ALL until she felt more confident. They were encouraged to play games with toys the pup could grab, and let the pup come to them on her own terms for toys and treats. In no time at all she started loving children as they meant fun. When she first arrived she had growled at them. I can well imagine that had the new owner not been sensible and experienced, and the children had been allowed to just grab the pup, she could quickly have started to mistrust all new people.

Agree with Goldmali, puppies are stressed initially, they have just left their mum and siblings and need to find their own way round things. Let the pup settle without the interference of children. They need their own space and time to settle.

What's the temperament of both parents like?
If both people friendly and you know of no 'growler' lurking in the pedigree then ...as the other ladies said....it's all too much for the little soul and he needs ' time out'.

Thank you, you've confirmed my thoughts. I bred the pup. When he first arrived with the family they told me how wonderful he was with the children and how well he was playing, but then after a couple of days they said he'd started growling and been reluctant to greet new people. This was just so different to how he was here and when he first arrived. Both sire and dam have brilliant temperaments and certainly no aggression issues. I told them my thoughts but they won't have it and are trying to say there's something inherently wrong with the puppy. He's now back with me, had a full health check which showed no issues, and since he's been back he's absolutely normal. I think he had a lucky escape, but it concerns me how wrong I was when vetting the family.

Good Job!! :-)

So pleased you've had him back before any damage can be caused by inappropriate handling.

I had provisionally reserved a pup for a family, but wanted to meet the children and their Yorkie bitch.  I was told that I couldn't pick her up because she would snap as soon as I went near her.

I saw exactly what the problem was during the time they were here.  Spend a lot of time and you learn more about them.  I said to the little girl - if a giant put his hand through the window and whizzed you through the air, you would be frightened wouldn't you?  The mother said - I bought the dog for them to play with!

They didn't get a pup from me.

So pleased you have the pup back, obviously was not happy there at all............ very lucky escape.

Many resecues and many of us breeders myself included, have that blanket rule of children under 7 years not being suitable for pups, it's a good rule, not saying you should always stick to it, (broke it myself with an exceptional child) but it is a good rule to have as a base, too many parents do not teach children to respect pups/dogs and ruin them.

Most of us on here are an exception as we understand dogs and their body language, but breeders need to remember that today things are very different out there, we cannot judge other people on how we and our children are with dogs...... we are in a 'I want' world and a 'throw away' world.

Pups are less safe than ever out there, vetting needs to be like an assault course today, new owners need to show they will jump through hoops. :-)

I agree. I think so many people think that dogs should put up with whatever a child wants to do to them, and if the dog isn't happy then there's a fault with the dog. I was gobsmacked when someone told me that they'd been to visit a breeder and they'd 'tested' the bitch to see how bombproof she was, pulled her tail, pinched her and pulled her ears, so they could decide if one of her puppies would be ok for her children! Needless to say she didn't get anywhere near me!

I was gobsmacked when someone told me that they'd been to visit a breeder and they'd 'tested' the bitch to see how bombproof she was, pulled her tail, pinched her and pulled her ears, so they could decide if one of her puppies would be ok for her children!

I hope that breeder sent her to Toys R Us!!!!

I was gobsmacked when someone told me that they'd been to visit a breeder and they'd 'tested' the bitch to see how bombproof she was, pulled her tail, pinched her and pulled her ears, so they could decide if one of her puppies would be ok for her children!

I wonder how 'bombproof' they would be, if you did the same to them?

NO living creature should be treated like that!

Someone asked me once about one of my dogs, "If I poke her and pull her tail, will she bite?"

My answer "No, but I will"    and I wasn't joking.

> I was gobsmacked when someone told me that they'd been to visit a breeder and they'd 'tested' the bitch to see how bombproof she was, pulled her tail, pinched her and pulled her ears, so they could decide if one of her puppies would be ok for her children! Needless to say she didn't get anywhere near me!

Oooooo....I would LOVE to have met her.

He's now back with me, had a full health check which showed no issues, and since he's been back he's absolutely normal. I think he had a lucky escape, but it concerns me how wrong I was when vetting the family.

I totally agree, he did have a lucky escape - so often people complain but when pushed, refuse to return the puppy.   How old were these children because I refused to sell my Basset pups to any family with kids of under 5, unless I knew them personally and that they were sensible parents.   That poor puppy - he was clearly unable to deal with what was being dished out.   I hope they never take on another puppy.   And that you find a really good quiet home for this one as unfortuately early trauma isn't quickly forgotten.

I guess you can just ask more questions, and hope, when it comes to finding good homes.   So often people get canny and give you the answers they know you want to hear.   Observing the interaction between parent, child and puppy when they come to visit should give you a pretty good idea about what home is being offered.