A puppy query..plus child control.

Fiona

Fiona

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 July 2001
Messages
10,150
Location
N. Ireland
Visit site
We've had our 13 week old lakeland/fox terrier for five weeks, and she has settled in great. Completely crate trained, toilet training getting there, recall good for her age, to the point where I'm happy to let her off lead if our walk isn't too busy.

However I find it a lot more stressful taking her out with my 4.5yo son.. At the forest this afternoon he wound her up so much she was barking and jumping at his sleeve and ripped it with her sharp wee teeth.

She did jump at clothing when we first got her, but now she never does it to me or hubby. Its very hard to shout at child while simultaneously gently disciplining puppy, but most of the fault is childs I feel. I will try speaking to him severely before we start off the next time, but any tips gratefully received especially on what to do if it starts again.

I sometimes walk with friends and their children who are not used to dogs so really I want lily used to children but quiet around them.

Lastly, having a pup and a 4yo was not on my itinerary until our adored jrt was killed on the road in January, so try not to think I'm too stupid for ending up in this situation. It wasn't by choice, I assure you :(

Fiona
 
try to think about what he can do with the puppy - show him how to ask her to sit and practise giving a treat gently - if you don't trust her with dinky fingers he can drop it on the floor for her. Would it be safe for him to play a little bit of hide and seek "go hide around that bush and call the dog" (obviously keep him very close/within sight of you, but that should be plenty of challege for a wee pup and again have him drop treats on the floor for her when she finds him. You can both play hide and seek away from pup - and you can do that even if pup is still on a long line - obviously don't scare the pants off her! Have him hide some little treats for her to find ... do a bit of practice with her before hand so that she understands that 'find it' means it is worth looking for things on the floor. Go through the 'be a tree' game with him (info on the internet, but basically teaching him to stand still if dog gets jumpy) and do a treat scatter for the dog to deflect her. You can also try a bit of bribery for him - put his favourite video or game on the coffee table and say 'if you are a good boy and help me train the pup, we can watch this when you get back ... but if you are naughty like yesterday then we can't'. The other day I went out to someone who was trying to get her dog to do polite greetings when people came to the house ... but husband was sabotaging the training with wild greetings ... we worked out that a reward for him was to go and watch the rugby and football ... so she said that every time he came in and greeted calmly she would put a couple of quid in the jar, and then it would go towards his match tickets - there has been a substantial improvement in husband, and strangely enough ... also dog!!!
 
Don't shout at anyone just take the puppies favourite toy with you and if she starts getting wound up by childs behaviour then call her to you for a quick play before popping the lead on and putting an end to things before they get out of hand.
combined with teaching all the positive stuff mentioned above you should be just fine.
 
Thanks for the quick replies :)

Great suggestions alliwant, I reckon some of those will really work with son, and I'll definitely get a squeaky toy in my pocket next time twiggy :)

Fiona
 
I have a lot of children and when our dogs have been pups and become over excited (jumping, nipping, play growling, etc), the children cross their arms so that each hand is at the opposite shoulder and turn their backs to the pup. This ensures the children also aren't making eye contact with pup because even that is engagement in the pups eyes, I've found.

It might be a similar theory to the 'be a tree' method alliwantforchristmas mentions? I haven't heard of it before but that's a good way to interest a small child :)

Shouting isn't ideal because it adds stimulation to the situation, rather than reducing it, which is what you need to aim for. My children have always played a part in training sessions too. Pup needs to learn to behave for them as well as me and not treat them as litter mates all of the time - although children can be loads of fun for dogs to have around :)
 
Thanks orca. Litter mates describes it exactly, great suggestions. .

I just wish my child control worked :(

F and I have had a wee conversation about it this morning and he is looking forward to hide and seek.

I just have the clothes to mend.

Fiona
 
Fiona said:
Thanks orca. Litter mates describes it exactly, great suggestions. .

I just wish my child control worked :(

F and I have had a wee conversation about it this morning and he is looking forward to hide and seek.

I just have the clothes to mend.

Fiona
Click to expand...

I have to admit that there was a certain amount of self policing. Once the children had each received a few excited nips from terrier pup teeth/ needles, they were keen to avoid them! Once the children disengaged and it was no fun anymore, our terrier soon stopped. As a young adult, she's a typical terrier - not nippy, not hyper but a kind, inquisitive, energetic family dog and if one of the children happens to be hurt or ill, she won't leave their side ��
 
Lol thistle and prince :)

We did some practice of the freeze position before we went outside this morning, so it went not too badly. Child was tired and possibly hungry yesterday afternoon. Never a good combination and my mistake for not having snacks with me..

Fiona
 
OP I feel your pain! I was in the same situation a couple of years ago with my Vizlsa pup and my two youngest who were 4 and 6 years old at the time. I hated having to walk him with the kids in tow. It's so hard to train an excitable pup when you have an excitable young child too. Try not to be too hard on your little son, it's only natural for him to be young and excitable too.
I have no real advice other than both boy and dog will soon grow out of it!
 
Thanks ladies. .. Had a lot better day today. Freeze command worked well for the child, and we had a lovely albeit busy walk where she met lots of dogs and people. ..

Also got my mending done watching Cheltenham just now... The rip in his coat was only tiny, but coat practically new :(

Fiona
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top