We just got a new puppy and she’s been acting aggressive towards our toddler.Is this normal?

Check out the pup’s body language. If the ears are pinned flat, hair on the back is standing straight up, and the tail isn’t wagging, that’s aggressive. If it’s just growling but still wagging the tail, it likely just wants to play. If you really are seeing aggression, talk to a trainer pronto.

How old is this puppy?

Puppies bark, bite and knock 3 year old kids down—it is what they DO. It isn’t aggression in a young pup—it is normal puppy behavior.Their teeth are like little needles and they don’t know they are not supposed to use them on people.

If you got the pup for the 3 yr old—bring it back. Get a puppy when she is a few years older.

I’m sure it was calm at first—as it gets older and more comfortable in your home it will be more rambunctious—then it will start to teeth.

Never, ever leave a toddler and puppy/dog alone.

Have you ever watched dogs play? They bark and growl, and run around and act foolish. Getting a puppy for a 3 year old is never a good idea, as they don’t “understand” each other. Your puppy is just probably trying to play- but if your child is scared of the puppy, then this may not be a good mix, and maybe you should reconsider your decision and wait until your daughter is old enough to understand the dog’s behavior.

That is exactly what is going on. The puppy sees something its size and wants to play with it, not knowing its just a baby. With it being a puppy its your job to teach it right and wrong as if it were a kid. They need to be taught what or who to play with and not play so rough with. They know no better. It will all be ok once the puppy learns…. but just remember, dont be so hard on the puppy hes/shes just a baby!

The puppy is scared and confused. It has just left its mother and litter mates and will be bereft. Your little girl will be excited at having what she thinks is a new playmate. Perhaps she is giving him rough cuddles and overpowering the puppy.

Puppies need to sleep most of the time and should be left in a separate room to do this. Your puppy is not being aggressive, however if your three year old does not leave him in peace he could become bad tempered.

Any play should be supervised and your daughter should be told how to play gently.

How old is the puppy? I personally never had an aggressive puppy. You have to watch her body language. Is her hair up on her back. Does she go to snap, or does she wag her tail? If you still aren’t sure, take her to a vet.

Barking and growling is your dog trying to tell you something.. its very possible that the barking is just play. Watch your dog completely around your child… You need to be there to see the signs that he is giving you that make him uncomfortable…
Ladder of aggression
Yawning, blinking, nose licking, turning head away, turning body away, sitting, pawing..these are all signs thats a dog is stressed and having some anexity.
Creeping, ears back, crouched, tail tucked, lying down, leg up….these are all signs of fear and submission.
Stiffening up, stare, growl, these are starting to become aggressive
then as a last resort— snap, lounge and bite.

Barking usually means: greeting, play, attention-seeking and treat/defence.

I suggest watching them all the time when they are together, If your dog does show signs of stress or aggression then you need to redirect their attention to something else… if its stress then maybe start to play with him, or pet him in a calm manner, or go outside… if its more aggressive wait until he does something else then redirect..if you do it during the aggressive part then he will think you are reinforcing that that behaviour is ok… Lastly I think obedience training is also a good idea.

That’s how puppies play.

I’m sorry but I just see bad things in the future here. First, if your daughter cries when the puppy barks, she is not old enough or ready for a dog. Second, if you think a puppy is going to be well-behaved one day into your home, you didn’t do any homework on dog ownership. Third, if you don’t know how to socialize your puppy, you are in for a world of trouble.

If you really want this to work you are going to need to do some learning after the fact, and quick! Buy a book on dog ownership. Get your dog enrolled in some obedience classes. Teach your daughter how to act around a dog.

If you don’t do any of those things, the situation will progress to worse.

Related posts:Check out the pup

Related posts:Check out the pup