Help! My Dog Just Growled at my Kid

How could this happen?

You did everything right.

You researched.

You bought all the gear.

You read tips from the pros… then you brought that adorable little puppy home.

You were ready for some sleepless nights, and even the puddles of pee – but not growling! 

And definitely not at your kids.

If that resonates, I’m sure you’re wondering “Why is our dog doing this?”

But what if the answer is not about the dog... but about us instead? 

Thanks to movies, TV and marketing, we’ve inherited the idea that if you throw kids and dogs together - unicorns and sparkles appear. Dogs love people, people love dogs - it should be plain sailing.

Except it really isn't.

Our expectations of dogs just keep growing - and it's sometimes impossible for them to live up to them.

Most people get that a new pup will need some training.  And they do it.

But here's the thing: there's so much information out there. And almost all of it is focused on the dog.

Very little of it is about us - the humans. And even less about children.

But what we do — and what we allow our kids to do — directly shapes how our dog behaves.

Which means even the most well-intentioned kids might act in ways that dogs find really difficult: hugging and kissing, picking up and dressing them up - while the dog is trying to tell them it's all a bit too much.

What nobody tells you is that the most important work happens before you train your dog — it starts with us, not them.

Because without it, we risk putting both our kids and our dogs in danger.

What to do?

If you know that your child loves to smooch, grab, or get in your dog’s space – chances are the growling could stop completely. Not by training the dog, but simply by changing how your kid interacts with them.

NO dog training required.

To get to the crux of the issue - I have 3 brutal truths to share with you... 

1. Smooching is natural... but not safe.

Kids learn how to show love and affection by watching their parents— cuddles, kisses, squeezes. Of course they do the same with the dog.. 

For many dogs however, being hugged and kissed can feel more like getting an awkward squeeze from that weird aunt who holds on a little bit too long.

Not so fun.  

And even for the dogs that like to be pet, the majority would pick a fun game with a child over a snuggle session, paws down.

Either way -  it's having the choice that's key.

For your kid's safety, it's essential to give your dog the ability to choose if they’re up for some loving – and when they want to pass. 

But how can our dogs tell us if they REALLY DON'T like something?

The line, “Excuse me, kind fellow, I’m really not enjoying this hug - can we please engage in another activity that maybe more pleasurable to both of us?” doesn’t really roll off the tongue for them – so instead, they may growl.

It’s the doggie version of ‘using their words’.

 Which brings us to...

2. Growling is GOOD.

If you're reading this and you’re concerned that you have a ‘bad dog’ because they growled – I promise you, you don’t. 

Growling is a completely normal and essential part of dog communication.  It’s a polite way of saying ‘I’m not comfortable with what you’re doing, please stop!”  

In fact, there are FIFTEEN ways that dogs can show us that they aren’t a fan of what’s happening, BEFORE the growl… but again – most people don’t know to look for them.  This graphic from brightdog.com clearly highlights them. 

These are called the ‘whispers’.

And just as with children, it’s much more effective to take note of the whisper, rather than waiting for the SHOUT.

On the flip-side, the most dangerous thing you can do is to train a dog NOT to growl.  It literally just cuts out any pleasantries - setting them up to bite with ZERO notice.

And that's a nightmare place to be. So yes, thank dog for the growl.

Finally, this truth is SO important…

3. Even *really well-trained* dogs bite.

Yes, even the one who win medals.  Because this really isn't a training issue. It's all about emotional state, and being pushed beyond limits.  

Fortunately, most dogs will do everything to avoid biting. But just as the world's most gentle parent would lash out and attack, if they thought their child was in danger – if ALL the warnings have been ignored – physicality becomes our last straw of communication.

Because we all have a threshold.

And sometimes, it’s kids (simply doing kid stuff) that make dogs cross that threshold.

This is exactly what The Dial Method® was built for.

In under 40 minutes, you'll learn the system I use with every family I work with — so you can read your dog, redirect your kids, and stop waiting for the next incident.  Click to learn more about The Dial Method®. 

👇🏼 

Where to start today:

Working exclusively with families with dogs and young children, I see a lot of avoidable danger.  From injured kids, to dogs being re-homed or euthanized.

One incident can be devastating for everyone.

So, if you’ve noticed the subtle signs: your kids being overly affectionate, bossy, or just too rough, and your dog is telling you they really need your help - don't wait.

It's time to make a sharp U-TURN!

✅ Create Space

Be sure to set up a safe place that your dog can escape the craziness of family life. Always add fun toys and chews - to make it attractive to your pup. Then practice regularly separating your kids and dog at the times when you know things get a bit crazy - for either! 

✅ Learn the signs

Since dogs are talking to us all of the time with their bodies, you can really get a window into their brain when you can read their signals!  It's the best insurance policy against having to use the phrase 'it happened out of the blue' - because reading their BODY LANGUAGE will help you see things coming from WAAAY off! 

✅ Teach kids SAFE ways to interact

The great thing about kids is that they're sponges. Yes, you may have to repeat yourself, but sharing the RIGHT way to pet, play, and live with your dog is the best gift you can give them for their own safety. 

What children practice on their own dog becomes muscle memory.  So, if they are used to cuddling and kissing their own dog, it's very likely that's how they'll greet a school friend's dog, or a pup at the park, too... and that dog may not be down with that from a strange child.

You can start by teaching the PAT PET PAUSE method - which is simple and allows the DOG to choose whether or not they're into having some attention... AND when they've had enough. 

When we know better, we do better.

And our kids and dogs deserve to be both safe - and LOVE living together.

Justine.

You don't need more information. You need the right information.

That's why I created The Dial Method®.  Learn the system in a fun 40-minute animated video that walks you through exactly what to do (and why it works) — so you can stop panic-searching and start actually enjoying life with your dog.

Over 1,000 families have been through it. Many of them started right where you are now.

Take a look — I think you'll love it. 

Get The Dial Method® 👇🏼