Advice for a Dog Growling at a Baby

Don't be surprised if Scruffy doesn't share your same feelings of elation as you enter your home for the first time with your little bundle of joy. You can't blame him; if Scruffy hasn't spent time around children before, that baby is an utterly baffling creature that smells, moves and sounds like no other being he has seen on earth. It's important to recognize that growling is his way of letting you know that he's confused and upset.

  1. Evaluate the Circumstances

    • Recognize what seems to trigger the growling behavior in the first place. Some dogs can be frightened by the loud sounds the baby makes and may react to them defensively. Others may be intimidated by the baby's sudden, erratic movements. In some cases, the dog is not ultimately growling because he is frightened by the baby, but for the simple fact that he feels the need to guard his valuables such as food, toys or chew bones. Make sure you store those goodies away when your baby is around.

    Avoid Punishment

    • It may sound counter-intuitive, but it's important to not punish the growling behavior. The growl is a dog̵7;s cry for help, a simple way of telling you that he can̵7;t tolerate a situation. If you repeatedly punish Scruffy for growling at the baby, you'll only confirm that babies make bad things happen and as such he'll like babies less and less. Also, he may react defensively to your correction and learn to suppress his growl so one day he may go straight to a bite without prior warning.

    Create Positive Associations

    • A good way to help Scruffy adjust to the baby is by creating positive associations with the baby. In other words, make great things happen when the baby is around and make life boring when the baby is away. If Scruffy seems a bit distressed by the baby's sounds, it's a good idea to transform yourself into a treat dispenser and toss treats every time the baby squeals or cries. Treat after treat, the noise of your baby babbling will become music to your dog's ears.

    Don't Rush the Process

    • Help Scruffy succeed by not exposing him to overwhelming situations all at once. It's best to give him some time to adjust; some dogs may have a hard time accepting changes. Let him sniff the baby's blanket and feed him treats so he gets used to the baby's smell. Once he's calmer, you can then let him approach the baby at his own pace. Make sure you reward him for every attempt to bravely investigate. Even when the growling episodes subside, follow the golden rule of not leaving the baby and dog alone even if for a handful of seconds.

    Consult with a Professional

    • Most importantly, should your dog show any aggressive behavior towards the baby, get professional help. Don't assume your dog is bad and needs to be re-homed. Many times, your dog just needs some time to adjust and the right behavioral modification therapy. Look for a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. The behavior professional will come to your home, assess your situation and offer you a systematic behavior modification plan to help your Scruffy feel more comfortable around your baby.