dogs don't like kids

I have 2 pomeranians and they are very sweet dogs but neither of them like kids. When a kid tries to pet them, they freak and pounce on the kid. It seems like their intimidated by them? They even snap at the kids and will bit them. It's very upsetting, we want to have kids so we need to get this under control. Most adults they are fine with but they do the same thing to some adults that try to pet them, especially if an adult tries to pick them up from behind.

I'm wondering if I just need to socialize them some more- like bring them to dog parks so they are around more people. But they know alot of people beside us, so I don't know if that's it.

What kind of training can we do for this?

Re: dogs don't like kids

I've had this issue with Daisy when we take her for walks around the black. She hasn't bit anyone, but she backs away from littler kids and adults and will cry or bark.

So, within our house, we have friends bring their 1 year old, and we have everyone who meets her, put there hands out palm up for her to greet them. Sometimes we add a treat, sometimes we don't. And it has helped. She is a little less timid and she could care less now about the babies, young children. As long as they don't take her toys and stick them in their mouths. Then she gets a little annoyed.

Re: dogs don't like kids

I always knew I wanted kids and have heard horror stories of having to give up your dog if they bite you kids or don't like them....so right from the start i socialized my dog around kids whenever i could. I let them chase her and pet her and hold her and stuff. She's a Pom too...I don't have many kids in my life and when I first got her 3 kids lived in the downstairs apt from me so it was easy. Now for about 2 years we haven't lived there and i was worried, but the other day my neighbor had her nephew over and tinky let him chase her and hold her so I was happy.
I think this is a long winded way of saying that I think you need to train your dog now....if it snaps dicipline it. Don't let them think that it's ok...cause if you want kids then your dog will have to get used to it!

Re: dogs don't like kids

Maybe a trainer can meet you at a park with people you know to work on it and as they become more comfortable try unknown adults.
Some dogs, especially small ones, never take to young children.
Just remember this behavior & even if they change for the better, never leave them alone with small children.
I hope they improve for you , I can imagine how upsetting it is.

Re: dogs don't like kids

Socialization can help, especially socialization with children specifically. Can you take them to playgrounds where there are lots of kids around so they get used to seeing/hearing them? Do you have any friends, family members or neighbors with kids who'd be willing to let them come over and meet your dogs (carefully, with supervision) or spend some time at your house every now and then?

Re: dogs don't like kids

This is not good.. But glad to see your looking into correcting it before you have children of your own! good luck!

Re: dogs don't like kids

we have maverick go to mutt manners

he is doing great. everyone in class has different issues they work on. it is great

Re: dogs don't like kids

Luckys, my poodle, hates kids. H gew up around my niece. She is a few months older than him. He runs when he sees kids. He did snap at my niece once but hten she kenw to stay away from him. We can't break him of it. We are TTC now. He is fine with babies that don't walk. So we are just going to try as much as possible to teach our kids not to chase after the small dog. Chase after the 75lber who loves to play