[Summer]

What can I do when a friend comes over? Is there a way to train the dog to be friendlier to kids?

[GoHawks]

As someone with young kids, I’d prefer if you kept your dog in a separate area while my family was visiting. I don’t want my kids to be the test subjects for your dog. As for training, I would contact a professional. So many dogs are euthanized because of biting/attacks toward children. I’d hate for your dog to be one of them. Fortunately, you’re trying to address it before it becomes an issue. Contact a professional asap so you can stop the behavior and start enjoying time with your dog while kids are around.

[GrouchoBarks]

I think your dog may be scared of kids rather than not liking them. I say this because I have a very skittish dog, but he loves people. He is also very cute and attracts a lot of attention from kids. Kids freak him out, so we always have to introduce him slowly and calmly. I signed him up for a program at the local library to have kids read him books. I sit with him, and we read, and the kids listen. They give him treats, and he loves those kids now. Kids are often loud and don’t always respect boundaries, often because they don’t know them, which can intimidate dogs. I’d suggest training your pup and any kids that might visit on appropriate behavior. Of course, if the dog is aggressive and snarly, keeping him in a different place, like a bedroom or outside when you have kids over, may be best. Perhaps try to introduce them on neutral territory like the park so your dog doesn’t feel like the kids are invading his space.

[Author]

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