dog not liking one member of the family

[Jules001]

My son who is now 21 has always been a bit scared of dogs, no particular reason just a bit wary. Anyway last August we got ourselves a dog (bichon frise x) son ok with this and has been ever since, lovely to see the change in son as he now lies on the floor and plays with the dog and dog sits on his lap every morning on sofa when son has breakfast. However sometimes which has only started to happen recently when son is stroking the dog, the dog will let out a low growl which causes my son to back off, if he doesn't back off soon enough for the dogs liking he then starts doing a psycho type snarling and growling and then barks at my son. Now obviously this isn't doing the new found confidence of my son and dogs much good and the dog doesn't act like this with any other member of the family. Can anyone shed some light as to why the dog maybe showing this behaviour, I did wonder whether the dog can sense some unconscious wariness that my son has and is just reacting how my son thinks he might so as not to disappoint. Also how should we attempt to stop this behaviour, if we tell him off are we just going to make the association of him being told off and my son which could then compound the problem. Many thanks

[andy-hughes]

Your son is giving mixed messages, albeit unconciously, and the dog is picking them up.

You, as 'pack leader' need to ensure that your dog is put in his correct place in the pack order. If he snarls at your son, you need to go to your son and move him behind you, and then bend down, make eye contact with your dog, and shout 'No!' at him, and hold eye contact until he breaks it. The take your son by the hand and both of you walk out of the room.

A couple of times like this will make your dog aware that your son is further up the hierarchy, and everything will settle again.

If your dog decides to challenge your son again, repeat the proceedure, but that is unlikely. Dogs like the security of knowing where they stand, so everything should be fine.

[Pipsy3]

I am not so sure the method you suggest Andy is going to work, it would require the lady to be ready to dash infront of her son the moment it happens or the dog will be confused as to what he his being reprimanded for.
Walking away from the dog also send a message of weakness as the pack leader never walks away.

I would suggest telling your son to immediately stop petting the dog, stand up and say a firm 'no' himself, otherwise the dog will never treat him with respect if he doesn't take on a leader role himself. Rather than removing yourselves from the room I would suggest removing the dog, that way the dog knows the territory his not his to do as he wishes.

Either way your son needs to work on his pack leader skills, all members of the family need to treat the dog the same way and be consistant. Your son must assert authority or the dog will continue to be dominant towards him and you can't always be there to protect him.

I suggest getting a Cesar Milan book from your local library for your son to read it will help him understand how to become a pack leader. Best of luck.