Kizzy reacting odd to a child

Hi I am looking for advice.....

I have three children and we have had Kizzy from a pup and she is great with all with the children. However my friends children came round to play the other day..not that other kids havn't been round to play before....and her children are not really very sure of dogs, however one of her boys came into the kitchen where me and Kizzy were and he crouched down towards the floor about a metre and half away from Kizzy. And she started really barking at him and acting not very happy???? It put me a bit on edge. I just don't get it. Did she maybe pick up on the child being afraid? Is this something to worry about. I have never seen her react like this towards anyone before.
Please any advice

The do get a sense of emotions so that could be the reason. How old is the child and were they on the floor with her? If the child is very young be sure to supervise. If the child is older try having them feed a treat or two.

The sudden movement of kids can worry a nervous dog. As jstaff said try having them feed a few treats, but honestly if they are dog fearful i wouldn't have them in the same room as their fear will make your dog more anxious and thats when accidents happen.

The child was 5. He just crouched down as if to say hello to Kizzy. I was in the room too. I would never leave a child alone with any dog. My youngest was bitten a few months ago by my brother in laws Weimaraner as it managed to jump a stairgate and get into my living room without me knowing. So I am very aware with dogs around children. I shall just keep Kizzy seperate from them in futre.Kizzy is not a nervous dog she is very playful and very good and gentle with my kids. She is still a young dog just about 1 year old so I'm thinking from your comments that she did pick up on the scaredness of the child and didn't know how to react.

Human nervousness seems to confuse dogs, especially young dogs. They don'y have their full self confidence themselves yet & can react to nervousness around them.

She obviously can't say "I'm uncomfortable" to you, so she did what she could - she barked.

I take it she didn't lunge towards the child or show any aggression (lips back/snarling/hackles & tail raised)?

Could very well be. They also act differently when you are on the ground or the same level as they are which is applicapble to a child of that age. In this instance they think they are being played with and will act accordingly.

No She never showed teeth or snarled it was just very sharp and loud barking with her front legs lower than her back. like she was crouching

She could also have been inviting play! That's a typical "play with me" pose & action.

Sounds like an invatation to play to me as well because the child is on the same level as her. Here is a link that should help you with reading body language.

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

Thank you very much. That link pretty much explains it all. I actually feel a bit silly as It's something I should have known. I was just a bit on edge after what happened to my youngest. Wasn't sure how to take it.
Thank you xx

Nothing at all wrong with asking questions or seeking advice. No one knows everything

Kizzy wrote:Thank you very much. That link pretty much explains it all. I actually feel a bit silly as It's something I should have known. I was just a bit on edge after what happened to my youngest. Wasn't sure how to take it.
Thank you xx

You mustn't feel silly. You're actually being very responsible.

There are no silly questions if you need an answer!