My staffy girl as a puppy tried to be the boss of me a few times where she snarled at me - teeth only. I but her on her back and yelled at her everytime. This happened only 3 times at around 16 weeks and never again. I had to learn how to be boss.

She is now 2 and very very excitable but in grade 4 training. We make her sit in her spot with the bowl down until we tell her she can eat. if the cat checks the food out she wont move (paw goes up to beg to go eat though). We have also taken her food away. To start off make sure no kiddies around and only use your feet, block the bowl so the dog cant see it and try to get it to sit. move it away as if you own the food. dont try to use your hands and put your head in the way. most dogs cant do too much damage to your legs esp if thick jeans.

If corey (1yr) pulls her fur she is told to leave it and she just sits there. we sometimes have to tell corey off for being rough and she is alowed to wak off.

Twelve weeks is early and it can be corrected try to remember Your the Boss.

You don't mention anything about what breed we are talking about here.

Yes, there are breeds of dogs that are not suitable to be around children at all, and there are some that need to be fully supervised around children.

No matter how friendly a dog is, or what the breed is, children and dogs should not be left together unattended ever.  All it takes is for a child to poke the dog once too many times for that usually placid dog to turn around and snap.

Any puppy at 12 weeks is going to try and assert dominance over family members, especially young children.  This is for all breeds, not just the known to be vicious ones.  Dogs are pack animals with an alpha (top) male and female.  All lower members will jostle to be the alpha or as close to it as they can.  As dogs aren't humans, they don't know how to suppress this instinct, and it is upto us to teach them that all humans are ranked higher in the pack than they are.  And yes, your dog sees you as its pack.

My dog had 9 puppies . The father of the pups is placid so is the mother only she was beaten badly before we took her on. Therefore strangers worry her, she hears the slightest noise of someone coming she will bark bark and bark . She does sound rather nasty alot of people that dont know her are scared ofher and will walk the other side oft he road. (she is very protective) It did rub off on the pups and we still see 3 o a regular basis 1 being mine he is just staying with my dad at the moment, They are very protective pups ecspecially over my girls but they would never hurt anyone, unless they hurt us then that is understandable if you ask me.

-This pup is 12 weeks they  need their mum for 6 weeks for feeding etc then they are chucked in the deep end humans take over BIG change for a pup . Of course snapping at children is wrong but unfrotunatly a 12 week puppy dot know right from wrong . -Would you expect a 12 week old baby to know right from wrong ? Of course not you have to teach them its the same with a pup .

Get children in there you MUST - -also make suret he children are gentle after all its a puppy not a rag doll and if i was being pulled around i think i would snap too.

He/she is only 12 weeks give him some training and give him a chance im sure he will turn into a loving puppy just like mine

Goodluck x

first of all, all dogs are dangerous thats why they need training, they can be your friend or your enemy depending on how you treat the dog. 

second what breed is your?  and with it being a pup you can break any bad behaviour now.  Never leave children alone or unattended  as remember puppies are hyper (just like our children) and to much hype can cause a bit or nip

never let a child near the animals food as some get very protective of food evne touching the dog while its eating can cause a snarl/bite/nip.

the more "dangerous dogs" are ones like sheep or cattle dogs (kelpies,red/ blue heelers/ collies)  guard dogs eg german shepherds, great danes, dobers, rotties. as for snarling at strangers he/she is scared and trying to protect the owners.  

I can only say that the advice about not leaving your child(ren) and dog alone together is absolute. NEVER leave a dog (or cat, I agree) alone with a child or children, not matter the breed or temperament.

Personally, our last dog was a cross Kelpie / Staffordshire Terrier. She was the sweetest, happiest doggie I've ever met (I'm not a dog person) but only to our family unit. Dogs can be very territorial as you are no doubt aware. Ours was an RSPCA rescue dog so she also came with her own lot of personal problems. Smiley (yes, that was the dog's name) absolutely fawned over me whilst I was pregnant and then, when I bought baby home from the hospital, I was very careful not to let Smiley feel left out. We thought she had 'calmed'.

Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that anybody else that came to our house was considered a threat by Smiley. My sister, step-father and mother all copped nips at various stages - I think Mum was the most disconcerted as Smiley had always had a soft spot for her before. It got to the stage that we had to shut the dog in the back of the house if someone came to the door.

So, no matter her behaviour around you, NEVER trust an animal with a child and NEVER leave a child ALONE with an animal.

dogs like all animals need to have supervision at all times. (this includes cats)

My aunty had a beautiful American Pitbull and he was the most beautiful dog I have ever seen (I am scared shitless of dogs) and Snoop loved her 3 kids 1 was a baby at the time and didnt like strangers coming near the baby. he was very protective of my Aunty and her family. Sadly she had to have him put down cause some kids jumped the fence and he bit 1. but because of who the kids were he had to go. :(

teaching your kids approperate ways to deal with and act around the dog too. like my daughter see a dog and runs which causes dogs to run after.

I always had a couple of dogs with my five kiddies. Raven has given excellent advice.   At 12 weeks behaviour is set so you have some work to do.  You can get the dog you want.  I too made it clear to the dogs that the kiddies came first. I had Shepherds and Dobermans.  If the kiddies took dog toys or dog food or pulled or played too hard the dogs would not react.  But then too the kiddies were taught to be good to the dogs.   Even this beast we have now has the instinct to protect the babes even though he has never been around other people or kiddies.  I never leave him though with out watching him. I am worried for you.  He is challenging you and you may have more than you can or want to handle.   If this is the action at this young age is there a possiblity that his breeding is wrong???  If so you may have a time bomb on your hands.  If interbreeding is possible on top of  "not a nice start to life" it may be too dangerous to keep a damaged dog at risk of your kiddies.

Firstly, it seems that question is of limits.

Secondly don't leave children alone with the pup. It could be retrained but you could never trust it or any dog. You could try a dog obedience group. They will help you train the dog to be obedient and offer expert advice as to how to handle the situation. I have two Beagles which I have child proofed to a degree but no child should be left alone with any breed of dog.

I pulled my dogs tails and legs, pinched their fur, patted them hard and roughed them up. They believe it's love and come back for more. I was not abusive towards them but used the force a child would if petting or playing with them. When they've had enough they just walk away. I never allowed them to growl, snarl, nip, or bear their teeth.  I put my hands on their faces and petted them when they were eating, I even took their food away while they were eating. I don't recommend this if your dog has behavioural issues but I would seek help from dog obedience trainers. Check out Cesaer Milans web site. He is a dog whisper and his tehniques are amazing when done correctly. I'm sorry I can't be of any more help except you might want to purchase a halti to have more control of your dog when you walk in public. I use one for my male beagle and it works well when he's not trying to get it off!