Overly Protective Dog??

[banzai]

That sounds like a dog that not sure of the pack structure in your house. If the dog bites without your command, it is taking alpha status from you and making its own decisions on how to protect the pack (your family). A dog should look to you, the alpha, for the signal to attack. Did the dog look at you when the visitors approached? If you did not notice, try a test and see.

Has the dog brought you or your family members a toy and you played with the toy with the dog? Has the dog been in your way and you stepped over or around the dog instead of foot shuffling the dog out of the walk way? Has the dog pawed a food bag and you gave him food? Have you let the dog sleep in the middle of a room, not near the wall? If so, the dog is confused because these are the control points of the pack alpha, controlling play, food, and sleeping location.

If you and your family and visitors take control of these things, the dog will accept its low rank in the pack and you won't have problems, unless the dog has a strong alpha drive. If it has strong alpha drive, that is a very different and difficult situation for a family dog.

[bpa556]

I am also one who will not tolerate a biting dog (even just a "nib"). "Over protective" is what folks call an aggressive dog when they don't want to call it aggressive.

I love my dogs and it tears me up to have to shoot one. We expend great effort (and don't spare the rod) to ensure that they are very well mannered because I'm not losing my life's work over an ill-tempered pet.

[DOUBLE.A]

Kids need to be taught by their parents to leave dogs they don't know alone. If I'm in my home and someone else's kid doesn't understand his growling is a warning and gets nibbed as you say then their fault. I bought a ****zu for my daughter when she was three and I'm the only one who fed it. Me and my daughter are on its friend list and that's all. Lol. Kills me to see how many strangers and their kids will try to walk up and just pick up a dog they've never met.

I took the dogs to the park with my daughter last week and two kids just ran up on my dogs and the parents didn't say anything. My dogs are fine with kids but still. The parents didn't know that.

[Buckshot-73]

Hope your insurance is paid up.

[WCB]

Your dog-your decision.
At my house any dog willing to bite a kid, ANY KID, gets done away with, no exceptions. Theres to many good dogs in the world for me to tolerate one that will bite a child.

I really don't know your circumstances, but that wouldn't fly around here. I've kids and nieces and nephews and friends of my kids, and my friends kids....I won't tolerate an "over-protective" dog that don't know his/her place. Too much risk to those I care about.

I want a good dog that lets people outside the yard know they are not welcome. But once in my yard with me my dogs had better be better behaved than me and my grandchildren or they go somewhere else. Heck, if a crook makes it into the back yard the dogs will probably help him carry stuff out...

[Buff]

My dog loves me, she does not love you or anyone else in the world.
That said she has never growled at a kid but she does not like them and will avoid them if she can.
The only down side is, it makes it hard to get stuff from UPS or Fed Ex

[ShockValue]

Kids need to be taught by their parents to leave dogs they don't know alone. If I'm in my home and someone else's kid doesn't understand his growling is a warning and gets nibbed as you say then their fault. I bought a ****zu for my daughter when she was three and I'm the only one who fed it. Me and my daughter are on its friend list and that's all. Lol. Kills me to see how many strangers and their kids will try to walk up and just pick up a dog they've never met.

Shih zu? That's not a dog. That's a cat that barks.

[Buff]

Shih zu? That's not a dog. That's a cat that barks.

Funniest thing I have read all week
Thanks

[Ætheling]

Shih zu? That's not a dog. That's a cat that barks.

Yup.

[Atfulldraw]

Shih zu? That's not a dog. That's a cat that barks.

Hit the quote button while searching for the Like button....

[BTLowry]

I have a JRT that will bite somebody if they get to horseplaying/wrestling. No rhyme or reason if he bites the aggressor or the "victim", he just likes to jump in

I would be careful around the kids and just warn adults not to mess with me if dog was around

[sqiggy]

Must be a pit bull...... sorry, could not help myself

Nah, she's just a mutt. Her momma was a stray that showed up and we ended up keeping, along with a sister. Her momma has since passed and I had to put the sister down almost a year ago due to an injury. She's the only dog I have now and she stays outside. She's probably around 8 yrs old.
All my kids are grown and gone!! She's never been around little kids and I think they got her irritated just a little. I was about 2ft away when she took that nip and I think that was just her warning he was to close. If she really wanted to bite him, she could have easily done it. She's never messed with the propane man when he comes fill the tank or a UPS guy or anybody else for that matter. But let another dog come in the yard, look out!!!
Squirrels don't seem to bother her though. She lets them help eat her dog food!!

[TomB]

Sounds like some parents need to be educated on the "yellow dog project":

http://www.theyellowdogproject.com/The_Yellow_Dog_Project/About.html

I have a yellow collar for my dog when we are in public places where children might be present. That yellow collar says you have been warned. I have seen very docile dogs become cujo if there is food around.

[JSAPP]

Sounds like some parents need to be educated on the "yellow dog project":

http://www.theyellowdogproject.com/The_Yellow_Dog_Project/About.html

I have a yellow collar for my dog when we are in public places where children might be present. That yellow collar says you have been warned. I have seen very docile dogs become cujo if there is food around.

Too dang many people blur the line between animal and human life. Dogs aren't allowed to be moody or annoyed. If a dog bites a kid it should die. Period.

[Steve_243]

My dog loves me, she does not love you or anyone else in the world.
That said she has never growled at a kid but she does not like them and will avoid them if she can.
The only down side is, it makes it hard to get stuff from UPS or Fed Ex

My UPS guy has my cell number and sends a text when he is on the way to see if my dogs are out or in the kennel.