My 2 year old male Weim was very, very fond of my friend's nine year old son and would follow him everywhere unfortunately an electric fence used to protect ducks from foxes had been left on and Dan (the dog) got a shock the only person with him at the time was my friend's son.  Since then Dan is frightened and whenever the little boy goes near him he gives out a low grumble, not quite a growl, I don't know how to handle it, it seems so sad that Dan thinks his friend hurt him but I can't have him grumble at a child.  I have given treats for him to give to Dan and tried cudling them both but it has continued over a few visits any advice please.

Your post brilliantly demonstrates how dogs may wrongly connect cause and effect and how vital it is that we fully understand what we may be training in inadvertently when we choose certain courses of action.

This is a rather big event and you may be well advised to seek professional help in this situation so that your dog can change his expectations in the presence of this child.

I would recommend you get on the APDT site and look for a trainer that also deals with behavioural issues; they have trainers in all parts of the UK.

HTH

Thanks for your suggestion I had considered that but didn't know where to find someone qualified I will get onto that site now.

Let us know how it goes :)

Lindsay
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