One of ours isn't crazy about little kids, she will nip at the 4 yr old that spends time at our house; however, the little boy (sweet as he is) is loud, clumsy, and comes at her too fast and she has nipped him more than once. Not excusing her behavior, but sometimes I feel like biting him (lol) Ironically, she was well socialized when we got her, I took her everywhere with me thus she was exposed to everything. Our other one is the laid back one and loves everyone and she hasn't had the socialization like the "nipper"...I really believe the only reason she barks at certain things is because she learned it from the first one. Again, more than one vet has explained it to me as such:
Dogs, like people have personalities...often times there is someone we don't like...for no good reason, just don't "click" and sometimes a dog will simply dislike a person or another dog, the vet also said those are usually the more intelligent dogs as they are able to "reason" (within reason) and "discern". And clearly between our two dogs, the more 'aggressive' one is unusually smart, whereas the laid back one we joke and said if she'd been a boy we should have named her "Odie"
I think I do need to reintroduce the one to situations again in calm environments and take the poster's advice on bringing treats, etc. Good luck, if you find the "cure" to liking kids...post it as I'd like to know.
Kendra |