Any advice for a loved dog that doesn’t like our toddler? 😭🤍

I'd get in contact with a dog trainer who can come to you and observe the behaviour. I'm not sure where you're based but The Positive Dog Training company can offer house visits and are very good (I've used them for our cocker spaniel from puppy school to puppy university and a home visit for anxiety) and would definitely recommend them. Be careful who you accept advice for online as there are some trainers out there who's techniques are horrendous. But a good one to follow on social media is Southend dog training. I imagine if you messaged them, they'd be able to help remotely somehow as well. Good luck with it all, I'm sure she will come round 😊

Hi, owner to 2 malis and a bull greyhound here!! When I first brought my little one home I found that my female mali was like this towards him, however, I started spending one on one time with all the dogs separate from the little one I found that it got better. Is your dog creat trained? If so I would suggest maybe keeping her in a creat until she gets use to your little one walking about and then progressing to having her out of a creat for an hour and so on to see how she gets on, it doesn’t sound like she is being nasty towards your little one more like she’s trying to set a boundary with her. I would also suggest speaking to a trainer to see what do to if it gets any worse ie she starts trying to nip ect

Personally, I don’t trust and cockapoo with my kids as every single one I’ve been around has warned them when they’re no way near or snapped at them, to me, someone will love that dog without kids! I wouldn’t trust a dog even after training to never act this way again or do something bad. I know we all love our doggies so much but honestly I believe if they have had such a dramatic life style change like this I don’t see much trust now! Well done for being open I can’t imagine the pain… I couldn’t bring my dog when I moved out because I couldn’t trust her with my kids, and she has always been my absolute best friend and is an old girl now! Please have a good think about options to rehome or put lots of measures in place.. I hope you’re ok😭

(I also have been with dog trainers and each day a dog breed they wouldn’t have with kids is a cockapoo as they’re used to being babied and spoilt, you can make it work it’s just the risk might be in the back of your mind xxx)

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@Chloe there are also plenty of cockerpoo's that are fantastic family pets. Rehoming doesn't need to be the first and only option.

Don't rehome without speaking to a trainer/behaviourist first. You will regret it massively. Have a professional come assess her behaviour and it could be a simple fix.. fingers crossed for you! 🤞

I don’t have any advice, but just to say I have a 3 year old cockapoo and live round the corner from you in Horndean! Mine hasn’t growled or shown any aggression towards any human before, inc children. My eldest is 2.5 & youngest is 4 months. Defo worth getting in touch with a trainer if you can! Good luck! I’m on maternity leave at the mo if you ever need a dog walking buddy 😊 x

Southend dog training is really good. Maybe give them a call - 01702746061 Or help@southenddogtraining.co.ik

I wonder if it’s just an age thing? I think 15 mo this is quite a threatening age for a dog who obvs can’t speak to express there feelings. I think as your daughter gets older maybe the dog will find it easier as she will be less threatening (even though of course she doesn’t mean to!) My dog does the same with my niece and I honestly think it’s just because she feels threatened with her bombing around as little kids do. Could you maybe get someone to have your daughter for a few hours now and again and take your dog out just you 2 like you used to? Xx

Maybe she feels slightly threatened/jealous as your girl is growing up and being more independent? They can be quite territorial/protective dogs by nature. They can also be jealous (that im sure is the spaniel side 😂, since they are very clingy, so anything different they'll feel offended by it). Our neighbour (before we moved) had a cockerpoo, and it would just go for us, our baby and my parents' dog (she's a cocker spaniel) whenever it was outside with her owners and we were too... The right training will help a lot, and they are highly intelligent dogs, so I'm sure it wouldn't be that much of an issue... your dog needs to understand that you love her just as much as the baby and her position in the family hasn't changed (in her mind)

Thank you everyone 🤍 I really appreciate everyone’s comments. We will definitely consider getting someone to look at her. She really isn’t nasty, she has been around her today without any issues it’s just when she is relaxing with us she gets growly. We will get the crate back out for the time being and make sure she knows it’s her safe space. Love the idea of having her on my own for a bit, thank you. I tend to brush her every day and cuddle her when I go to bed etc. She spends a lot of time with me. She is such a loving pup. I will not be rehoming her at all, I just wanted advice to cope with her behaviour so thank you. Xxx

My Pomeranian has recently started growling at my 9 month old since he’s been standing and more on the move! I’m also thinking about getting a dog trainer in to help with that and also her constant barking🙃🙄

Oh the barking @Emily 🤣🤣 I feel you - I think it must be a small dog thing lol

Southend Dog Training use punishment in their methods which don't work for any dog let alone a small lap dog type. Everything you've mentioned about Elsie includes your daughter. That makes sense, of course. Are there any instances where Elsie is just with you and not where your daughter is in the room? You say she's not resource guarding food but it sounds like she may be resource guarding you - I.e. Attention. As others have said, a behaviourist is your best option (not a trainer - Elsie needs a behavioural assessment before any training is carried out which is another reason Southend Dog Training won't work, they will just try to correct her behaviour). Wiser Whiskers is a great dog training place. They're Yorkshire based but do offer online consults if needed. Www.wiserwhiskers.com Good luck!

Absolutely contact a behaviourist and dog trainer...she just needs some help in learning and understanding....its very hard for dogs when kids enter their world and we expect them to find the situation absolutely fine when they are animals...its up to us to ensure they understand and learn the correct behaviour so they emulate what we want to see... Your daughter has to come first obviously but theres no reason to rehome before consulting a behaviourist. Good luck! Xx

Toddlers are erratic and loud , a lot of dogs can't read them so get 'defensive' bark to basics are an amazing trainer and have a page on fb ypu could ask there for more advice, id just keep giving your dog plenty of space away from your toddler

Definitely get a force free behaviourist to help. It sounds like you’re doing all the right things at the moment but I really hope someone can help you x

No advice but I also have a 1 year old cockapoo and she’s totally in love with my little one. Sleeps near her when she can, lays with her when my LO is playing with her toys and seems to love her hands and feet 🙈 so I wouldn’t agree with the advice you was given about ‘all’ cockapoos growl at children xox