Mini foxie growling and biting my youngest child

I have a mini foxie, who I think is fighting not to be on the bottom of the family (pack) ladder.I am top dog then hubby, then my 3 children but my 5yr old..who loves the dog, will sometimes just be patting the dog, the dog gives me a look,(I can see the whites in his eyes) he waits till I move away or look away, then he will growl or snap at my child....the youngest is very upset..I instantly told the dog NO...and opened the back door for him to get out the back. He knows he shouldn't do it. But it is driving me mad. He hasn't actually broken the skin, but the growl and snap is really frightning my little boy..HELP please
Posted: 07/10/2007

Answer: Foxie growling and biting my youngest child
It's not unusual for a terrier to have a slightly short fuse with the little ones. Foxi's can be quite anxious and almost predict situations. So if there has previously been a incident were your little Foxi might have been on the receiving end of some unintentional mistreatment - he may be trying to protect himself from any repeat. Hence the nipping once you are out of sight. I would suggest trying to work with your 5 year old with some really basic handling strategies and practice properly handling the book. This would more so be for the benefit of your dog rather than child.
Posted: 04/11/2007