We are new dog owners - we had a really low key beagle years ago.  This is our first RT - we just got him from a family that could no longer keep him.  He is not neutered (which will change next week) and he is 18 months old.  My children are in love with him.  He was okay for the first day  - but all of a sudden has started growling at my 5 year old - he doesn't do this to the 9 and 11 year olds or my husband or myself.  I definitely plan on dog training classes for him.  His previous owners said he never growled or bit or barked.  He lived in their garage during the day, we have him in his crate at night and take him on lots of walks.

I am worried my dh is not going to be tolerant of keeping the dog if he keeps growling at our little one.  We need all the help we can get to help Rowdy be a great part of our family.

thanks for any advice

julie

Welcome aboard and congRATS on your new fur baby.  There are so many here that will give you great advice.  One of the first things we will want to see is pics of Rowdy.

Growling is a warning from Rowdy, it could seem something inocent your 5 year old is doing, but there's something going on. It may be just that the youngest doesn't have any experience and the dog is sensing this. Maybe Rowdy can't figure out what your son is going to next which would make him insecure about the situation. Until Rowdy is "fixed" you should keep a close eye and make sure the little one isn't somehow provoking Rowdy. There is something Rowdy senses that is threatening. The growl, at least in our house, usually means "back off" unless we're playing tug-a-war and Rattagan will growl so that a stranger would think he is ready to bit, but it is his play growl, not a "Get off of me before I smack you" growl.

Was this rattie ever around small children before?  Small children often present an "excited energy" to dogs and dogs react in kind if they haven't been around small kids before.  Also, if your child is or has done something in playing with the rattie that has scared or hurt him (probably accidently) he may feel he has to defend himself.

Please supervise your child around him at all times....that will prevent accidents.  Neutering, is, of course a good first step.  Also, the training classes will help.  Another thing is that some quality exercise will help dispel excess energy " a tired rat terrier is a good rat terrier"!

Terriers have a totally different temperment than the more laid back breeds like beagles.  They need a strong alpha pack leader and should be taught that every member of the family is alpha over him.  They also need the exercise.

Hope this helps and I'm sure the others will have some advice to add!  Ratties can take work but they are so worth it!

that is a good age! caesar was adopted at 18mons too and not fixed either! I got that done the VERY SAME WEEK! he peep'd on ALL stationary objects! even ME!He is 5 now and still hikes his leg! I hate it i put the little BOY PANTS for studs on him if we go to other people 's house cause he will mark!that is why I get them fixed as soon as they DROP 5-6 mons at the most! so "get 'ur done!"quick!they don't seem to hike there legs till them and still PEE like a girlor get the pants web site poochiepants.com  and good luck ! lucky dog!

My Sonic was 18 months when we adopted him.  School is always a good thing

Thanks to those who responded, I have done a lot of reading, I do think he views the 5 year old as not "alpha" over him, but when we tell the dog "no" and have her pet him - then he is all loving with her - I just won't leave them in the same room together.   We know we have so much to learn.  He LOVES to be outside and go on walks, right now he could get out of our fence, so we plan to make him a doggie run area so he can go out without his leash.  We have been walking him 3-5 times a day for about 15 minutes or more at a time, then my daughter takes him on mini walks around the yard when he goes out to potty.  They do play with him in the house a lot.

I will be a regular here!! I will try to figure out how to post pictures!!  I think Rowdy is a little cutie!!

Thanks all!!!!!

Rowdy's mom

I've had my 18 month old do this as well, see it is one of two things. The first and most likely is he never saw a person that small, and it scares him. Second is he has had a bad experience with 5 year olds, or small children. This would make the dog very defensive.. He might avoid and then growl. First you must have the five year old feed the dog, and walk the dog. Also leg hiking can occur even with a very early neutering, it is a male thing.

thats how caesar is too and ONLY very 6-8 yrs litlte boys! NOT GIRLS! And he has never been ill treated as far as I know.. I too got him at 18 months stud dog,fixed him that week! (he still thinks he's a stud!) he is 5 now! anyway... its probably the same,I just tell them to ignore him.. and sit down one the grass and let HIM come to THEM not the other way around! use a toy or better FOOD! I get as many kids as I can find to play with my pups so they won't grow to fearkids ,it has works great! he will never LIKE litle boys.. I know he won't bite them either,I think they just move to fast! LIKE LITTLE BOYS DO!

good morning! all! you all of you still looking for more ratties to add to your rat-pak here is a GREAT web site! they e-mail me everytime there is a rat availible that I have pre-selected my area and type of dog,(they send me all there rats and rat mixes) most every day I get a pix of a dog and its bio to review its really cool! this would be good to put in a more central location but check it out! it 1-800-save-a-pet.com