Our puppy is coming up to 6 months, and has always been well used to children, as I look after them at home every day, and also have 3 of my own.  He's been fine, runs about with them no problem, but this week I have had a new girl start (age nearly 4), who has done nothing to him, but every time she goes near him he growls and barks at her, and on Monday in the garden he also went for her.  Have tried to get her to give him dog treats, but he nearly took her hand off.  Every time he reacts to her in this negative way, I really tell him off verbally, and he does stop then, but only until the next time.  Should I just keep on with telling him off and hope he gets the message that this isn't on?  Or should I be doing something different like distracting him completely with a toy and game?  Any advice appreciated!
  Hilda

If this puppy is uncomfortable around this child for whatever reason and goes for her when she approaches why do you think that having her offer treats will make any difference?  It will not if the apprehension felt by the puppy to her proximity outweighs the desire for the treats. 

If you were afraid of spiders and I came towards you with one and a chocolate would that make you less afraid?

Again if you reprimand the dog for growling you risk a) increasing his apprehension because he associates proximity of child to being told off and b) he may stop growling but he won't stop feeling the same way; he may end up not bothering with the warning and just bite.

Quite frankly, if I was the parent of this girl and I knew this was going on I would be extremely unhappy!  One of them has to be removed from this equation IMHO!

On top of tohmes excellent advice, I think you need to look at *how* this girl is approaching your pup, and teach her more non threatening ways of interacting with him.  It may be an idea to seperate them for a while, with some kind of barrier (crate if she can be relied on not to poke him or stare at him) or stair gate with similar rules, so he can get used to her without having to interact with her.

Hi,

To be perfectly honest if I had someone elses children  especially young ones in my house with a young pup I would separate them fdor the good of the pup and the child and it would'nt matter how well trained the dog were.
Having 4 Goldens myself which include 2 younger dogs under a year  and I have 4 children so the dogs are well use to children that doesn't mean accidents or the pup just get a bit too excited or the child acidently pokes the dog etc.Safer to pop the dog into the utility with a safty gate if you have one or outside ina secure garden.
Maybe the dog can smell another dog on this child? but whatever the rea son you have been given a warning by your all is not well and the 2 should not be allowed to mix and I don't think if iwas this young girls parent I would be to happy about the situation.
I'm lucky in fact when my children have friends round my 4 Goldens go into their large run which is secure and friends cannot wind the dogs up or get them so excited their running about the place and knock one them over or get oppotunity
to poke even accidently .If they want to stroke the dogs they ask me first and one is brought out calmly told to sit and I put them back in the run.Obviously my own older  children go in the run and have them out in the garden but others people children is quite another matter:-)

Briony:-)

I don't allow them to run round together on their own - I'm always there.  The puppy is crated, and is only out under supervision.  I would never trust any dog alone with kids anyway.  With the treats thing, I just thought he might realise she's not a threat, but guess that's not going to work.  Anyway, guess the best thing is to give it time, like everyone says, in the meantime keep puppy crated and get used to child being part of the group from a distance. 
  Hilda 

Dogs are funny sometimes and we don't/can't always know *why* they may respond as they do - we expect dogs to like everyone they meet and yet don't expect the same of people. It may be that the dog senses something odd about this little girl, (odd to a dog not necessarily a human - for example perhaps she is scared of dogs) and so reacts differently.

Also, pups need to be socialised out and about all the time - getting used to say, several children is not the same as getting him used to "children" generally. SAme goes for socialising with dogs, he will need to meet lots of dogs to be well socialised as  a grown individual.

Best wishes
Lindsay
X

Hi ,

I would agree with the above my Goldies are not only used my children all 4 ,they meet all their friends under strict supervision .The dogs all take turns to go on the school runs,they all attend ringcraft and shows where meet different people and childeren of all ages and go into old folk homes.However I still separate them when I have other peoples children round :-)

Briony:-)

well if i was you i whould train him but if that dosen't work.I whould take him back because he is going to get a lot bigger.  And if he goes for her your be soorry and he will be put down instead.
from Jayme-Annef.