Can't blame him. The unpredictable movements and actions of children can be scary to dogs, especially to dogs who aren't used to having the wee ones around.

Thank you for protecting your dog by keeping him away from the kids while they're visiting. In situations like this, many owners would not be as prudent and then blame the dog when a child was bitten. In some states this could mean the dog's life.

Please, please, please do this:

Consult an animal behaviorist. Not an obedience trainer but a professional behaviorist. You can get names of them from your local aspca or animal shelter.

On one of the most recent episodes of the Dog Whisperer, there was a dog that was traumatized by kids but after a lot of hard work and consistency, this problem went away.

As was pointed out, the dog's life is at stake here. One little mishap, and off he goes. Your dog wants to be a dog and you need to treat this fear and agression and insecurity if applicable. You can do it. Don't give up.

Definitely isolate him for the day and warn the parents not to let the kids in the room or for anyone to let him out. If possible, lock the door to prevent wandering guests from opening the door.
My elderly dog would get stressed when we'd have strangers in the house so what you're doing is being considerate of your dog and the visitors.

Poor guy, I don't blame him a bit;
Small children scare me too!

For the most part my dog doesn't have a behavior problem. The grandkids have always lived out of the state and are visiting for the holiday.
He's used to a quiet house, just me and my husband, and quiet days. I did isolate him when it got too crazy. Heck I even did a time out outside.
Tomorrow all goes back to normal. I wasn't really looking for advice, he's just an adult only spoiled brat.

My dogs previous owner was an elderly man so it goes without saying that she was not used to young kids when I got her. Her owner had to go into a nursing home and they would not let him keep the dog. If you had the time for the dog to be around smaller kids where you could control the activites of the dog and kids so that they could get used to each other that would be best, but for a holiday weekend it is far better to keep them apart. BTW after two years my dog would rather not be around little kids if they are running close to her, she is part mini dachshund.

Lance

My dog does not like kid's either and he has been raised with them, my oldest was 5 when he came home as a 6 week old puppy (mother dog stopped feeding them so I got him early) when my youngest was born he was almost a year old, he was so protective of that baby! would growl at other animals that came anywhere near him, but once the baby was mobile it was all over. he does really well with my kids, but if they try to mess with him, he will growl at them, funny thing is at the same time he is wiggling his tail. when neighborhood kids visit if they are under the age of 11, he goes in my bedroom, for some reason he don't growl at Kodys friends, just the young ones, and there is no rhyme or reason for it, no kids have abused him or traumatized him, this is just how he is, he has never ever bit anyone but I am not taking any chances that he won't.

I had a dear greyhound who was not at all affected by my grandson's birth. But when said child got mobile with his walker toy, dog was scared and growled at him when he came close. And the kid was loud with screams and yells, but eventually the dog adjusted when the kid got civilized and respected her. I for the most part have social cats and they like kids until they get too noisy or rambunctious. Then they retreat like I'd like to do. In general, I think all animals like calm and quiet just like we do.You were wise to separate them.

It may not be what you consider to be a "behavior problem" but fear, aggression, shyness, and insecurity are often treatable. So why not explore that option so you can better enjoy the time you have with your dog and the children that come and visit?

"Heck I even did a time out outside."

dirthappy has an adult household, invaded & occupied this year by an army of beloved small children.

The din & disruption of routine would wear on anyone's nerves, even if someone accustomed to his/her own houseful of little ones.

I wouldn't put myself, much less my dog, through the stress of de-sensitization for something that's firstly, under control right now &, secondly, not likely to recur:

Next year, the children will be a year older, & a year older the following year, & so on.

Meanwhile, the dog has a safe haven & it's working just fine.

Just wondering how it went for you. My pets always hated kids too except my daughter who is very soft spoken and gentle.My nephew who is very loud and disruptive makes them hide the whole time he is over.
Alot of kids today are very hyper and I think that frightens animals.Most animals prefer quiet,and people who move slowly around them.Kids...obviously dont fit that description.

Little kids scare me to death too. My dogs and i are use to grown ups. Dillen would love them to death. and my little cricket would go and hide. We very seldom see little kids.
oakleif

It went pretty good with Cody and the grandkids. He snarled but didn't snap. 1 yr. olds just don't realized you can't come from behind and pop him on the back.
Both of my kids live out of town, one family is with the Army and the other because of work, so we don't see them often. Having 14 other people invade his home was overwhelming. He made it through.

My dog was 6 yrs old when I had my kids. When my oldest was about 18 months my dog was not impressed. I was pretty hard on her when it came to growling and any aggressive behaviour. I was also hard on my kids too. They are very respectful towards our dog now, ages 6 and 5 and have a great time playing together. When she has had enough she leaves and the kids leave her be. I am afraid when friends come over so I keep the dog with me. She's too old for that anyways. Same thing happened with the cats we have. I feel kind of bad putting her at the bottom of the family unit but better there than on top. She's a great pet.

Like Cody, I was growling at the kids today. Almost snapped. Spent all day in the car with my grandkids. Think I even snarled some, too. Wish someone would have isolated me. :)

I have an 8 month old Schnoodle. He hates kids, but only because they were really rough with him. So I don't blame him when he growls at them for touching him. Some kids just don't necessary know how to play with dogs.