Dear Val,
Our 7-month-old dog loves our kids, but when they play, he chases them and jumps up and sometimes nips them. How should we manage this?
Dear Family Dog Parents.
I have five pieces of advice I would like to share.
Number 1:
Young children and dogs and puppies should always be supervised when playing together. Older children can have a little more leeway with intermittent supervision. Parents should intervene when both the kids and the dog gets amped up and teach a more desirable behavior. This is especially important when you bring a new puppy home. Puppies will naturally be driven to chase and jump up on active children. Providing some gentle intervening will shape and modify the puppies’ behavior while they are young, striving for a fairly well mannered adolescent.
Number 2:
Rule number two is, when kids need to run and scream and play, Rover needs to go to his relaxation area, a crate, a pen, or another room with a favorite toy or kong or chewie. Make this time for Rover positive. The dog should not ever feel like he is being punished under these conditions.
Running and screaming is what kids do. It’s fun, it’s healthy, and it’s an outlet. But, running and screaming children is also quite often a trigger for a dog to run and chase and play and nip as well. This is when kids can get bit, knocked over, clothes can be tugged and torn, and fun play time can turn into a miserable play session for all involved.
Or worse yet! The dog can be relinquished if it is not understood that the dog just wants to be a part of the play in his own way and he is behaving on instincts until this behavior is modified.
Number 3:
Rule number three is getting rewarded for good behaviors while on a leash around the kids.
Teach Rover that he needs to not jump or chase or nip at the kids. This is done by having him on a lead and requesting behaviors such as sit or down or watch me and offering him very high value treats for behaving around the kids.
Number 4:
Rule number four, is teach the kids to train the dog.
Children are never too young to learn good dog handling skills, behavior and etiquette.
Children should be included in the training process. Teach the children to teach the dog to Sit, Come, Wait, and Leave it at a minimum. This will reinforce the dog will listen to the children as well. Also teach the children to offer dog toys to Rover if he becomes over stimulated or has a case of the zoomies. Fetch is a great way to play with the dog and burn off some energy in a positive way. Tug of war is not recommended.
Number 5:
Rule number five is, pets are good for children. They teach a sense of empathy, and responsibility. Puppies are challenging for the first two years. Don’t give up. Raising a family with kids and dogs will create for good times and the best of friends and memories that last a lifetime.
If you have a question about training or behavior, please email me at HappyLabLady77@Yahoo.com
Make it a Pawsitive Day!
Val S Elliott CPDT Behavior Coach
Wags of Wisdom:
If my dog can’t come, I’m not going : )
The Daily Dog:
Meet Chris. Chris is a rescued retired racing greyhound. Chris loves to travel and enjoys the company of all dogs. He is so tall you don’t have to bend over to pet him and his parents say they have to lint roll the ceiling of the car weekly. : ) Most greyhounds are gentle giants. They are easy going, intellectual and make great pets. Royalty once only owned greyhounds. They are called sight hounds. This is one breed of dogs in which their sight is better then their sense of smell. Getting them to sit can be a challenge. It is not one of their favorite anatomical positions. Did you know that there are currently only five states that still support Greyhound racing? In 2018 Florida voted to ban Greyhound racing sending many of these nice dogs to greyhound rescues. If you would like a nice gentle giant, you can Google your local greyhound rescue organization. There are a few in northern California.
If you would like to send a cute photo with a description or short story about your favorite furry friend, please send it to HappyLabLady77@yahoo.com
