Lizzie Growled at Some Kids!

How much socialization does she have?

How old is she again?  Are the kids she's used to family only?  Collies aren't typically aggressive as a rule, but if she is apprehensive and someone pushed it (didn't respect her space when she was hiding or ran out at her) she might retaliate.

ORIGINAL: tiffy
How much socialization does she have?

 
Well she is quite good with people, whenever someone comes to visit I always make sure she is there with us, and shes always been a doll, sniffs a little and then goes off on her own. We dont get out much, but I try to expose her to different situations as much as possible.
 

  How old is she again?  Are the kids she's used to family only? 

 
Lizzie is 6 months and 1 week old. The only kids shes ever been around are my family's kids (DS my sister, and brother) what Im thinking is that she was overwhelmed at the excitement and she retreated under the desk when she heard the noise of the kids approaching and she could have felt threatened. She never snapped and one of the little boys stuck his hand out so she could sniff him and she stopped growling immediatly.
 
I just dont want her to think its appropriate behavior.

Louise is 7 months and when she was about 4 months she was off-leash in the dog park and encountered little boy  (maybe 4?) whose brothers told him to chase Louise.    I told him not to, but he did, Louise got very scared and ran away and started growling in an "I'm feeling really threatened" way.   The parents were there and did nothing and I had to yell at the kid to not chase my dog because it scares her.   I tried really hard to be calm, but I just don't do it and I think me being upset confused Louise further.   It all happened in less than 20 seconds.  Before this, she had met kids and were completely fine with them; she liked them, but this changed her.

Anyway, after that she was not a big fan of people under 18.    She would growl and bark at them, not in an aggressive way, but in an "I'm so confused by you, please don't chase me."   That went on for about 2 months and she would have to be on the leash around kids and I've tried to be very calm, not reinforce her fear and act like kids are totally normal and unimportant.  Sometimes I gave her treats when we were around kids, hoping she would associate them with good things and also realize that she can do normal things, like eat treats and be relaxed, without having to be hyperalert of where the kids are.  They could walk by her without her even looking at them, but if they came towards her directly in her line of vision or tried to pet her, she would get scared. However, over time, her fear has turned into curiosity and she slowly became comfortable with older teenagers, then worked her way down to small kids.   In the last few weeks I especially noticed a difference.  

Working on commands on the leash, close to a group of kids who had no interest in her was a very positive step for us.    We also met kids with dogs who were amazing with them and totally knew what they were doing; we would let our dogs meet and play, but they wouldn't approach Louise or walk towards her.   One day a girl who was about 12 picked up her dog's ball and threw it for Louise.    That was the first time I saw Louise totally relax around a child and since then she hasn't growled at all and has even approached kids for petting.

Anyway, this is a very, very long explanation!   And I'm guessing that it was more the element of surprise that scared Lizzie, but I did want to jump in and tell you some things that worked for me after dealing with that experience of fear after being being put on the defensive by a child.

I think Lizzie may have been overwhelmed by the amount of kids at first.  Perhaps your sister could bring only one or two friends around and if they are old enough, you could arm them with treats and tell them to ignore Lizzie but just keep dropping treats on the floor in front of her when she's nearby.

Just keep your eye on Lizzie to see how she reacts to them.  I am pretty sure she was just a bit overwhelmed by either the noise or the sheer number of kids.

Diego is 8 mo and he's not a fan of kids 5 yrs and under. Basically anyone that's to rough with him. I can keep him safe from unruly children by picking him up however (he's little). In my case it's the kids that are the problem...my nephew who doesn't listen and other little kids that we've meet in public.
 
Maybe you should socialize her more?  Even if you just bring her to the pet store..that's what I did (and puppy class/parks/walks/dog park).
 
Good luck!
 
btw..Casey barks and growl at ppl when they approach their cars or if she thinks they are going into their car. Not aggressive..just a quirk. But I suggust you break something that you don't want to become a habit..

Dogs fear or distrust anything that they weren't well socialized to between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks.  It's part of their natural defense against starvation - they know the pack they "hunt" with.
At any rate, once a puppy is older than that, you are basically involved in desensitization.  Yesterday, enroll her in a class that allows kids - and work with the trainer to desensitize your dog to them.  (Find a trainer at www.ccpdt.com or www.clickertraining.com) At home, or out on walks, don't let kids come right up to her, but toss them a treat, and ask for their help in training her.  Their job is to toss her a treat on the ground from about 3-4 feet away.  She learns that small people are like slot machines for liver, and they don't get hurt.