My CoCo hates the little kids too. She's fine with the two 9-year old grandchildren but HATES the younger ones. She especially hates my 4 year-old granddaughter Isablella who tends to run around and shriek at times. I've gotten her to stop the running in the house but CoCo is still so afraid of her that she goes after Isabella's ankles! I have tried all of the above mentioned ways to make CoCo feel safe and have also had Isabella sit quietly and give CoCo treats but the minute Isabella gets up, CoCo goes crazy again. The other day CoCo nipped at Isabella's lower leg. She didn't break the skin but who knows what will happen the next time? So, I decided that when the grandchildren come over, I have to put CoCo in another room. My dogs don't have crates so I put CoCo in my bedroom and put a gate up at the entrance to the room so she can at least see and hear what's going on.
I thought that CoCo's behavior was aggression but I have come to realize that it's fear. She is so small (3.5 lbs.) and kids just make her nervous. I don't blame her but at the same time know that biting is unacceptable behavior.
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