Dogs and Kids Lessons Learned #1

[jenn D]

Hi fellow doodle friends.

I've hesitated to post this for two weeks but its nagged at me so much I guess I felt the need to finally start a thread.

I know I've mentioned I've helped teach training classes in the past (for local obedience club) in the capacity of teaching KPT (puppy) and basic obedience and some basic agility. I'm extremely knowledgeable about beagles (my breed in young adulthood before doodles also all training was my 10 years prior to kids) and moderately knowledge about some basic dog behavior.

However until I got Brisby (our first doodle) I never really had kids and dogs in a household together. I wasn't a human mom and dog mom at the same time. I've set some serious rules for both human kids and my canine kiddos. Both in my opinion can randomly forget the rules. I have a 8 (almost 9 year old daughter) and a 5 year old child (son). Daughter is 1 year post treatment survivor of leukemia. Son has special needs-cerebral palsy and epilepsy.   The reason I am telling you this is that I am pretty overprotective of my kiddos due to medical issues. Anyway, Im pretty strict on the fact that the kids CANNOT treat the dogs like baby dolls, stuffed animal, etc. We have rules like no hugging them, no jumping on them, do not dress them up, etc. I know many of you will laugh at the last one but kids do all kinds of crazy things.

So my kids are decently versed in not messing with the dogs and treating them with respect. However, kids are kids and dogs are dogs. The other night my 8 year old was playing with her crazy brother. She was laying on the floor and blowing imaginary "darts" at her brother. She shouldn't have been on the floor. That's one of my rules when dogs are out-no kids on the floor. However, as kids do, she forgot and fell down on the carpet while she  "blew" an imaginary dart at alex. Brisby was right in her path and got blown in the face which startled him. He reacted and  pawed her face, giving her a pretty red scrape. Of course, he thought she was doing something to him and reacted. She had paw scratches on her face for the next 2 days. While she was ok physically, besides superficial stuff, she was scared. But she actually apologized to Brisby and told me she shouldn't have been on the floor blowing air in Brisby's direction.  We did not punish Brisby and Grace actually knew she was in the wrong and hasn't been on the floor since.

I guess I just wanted to show that these kids/dog things happen even in hypervigelent households but you can educate your family when it happens. You can train your dogs and your kids.I love my kids, and my dogs. Mistakes happen on both sides. Its how you chose to handle it and learn from it and move forward that matters.

OK Im rambling.

PB&J says Hi to all.

 . \I 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds like you all are doing great given all the chaos that can occur with kids and dogs, even just with kids or dogs : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for posting this, Jenn. It makes me grateful for several things. I am grateful that your DD is basically okay and understands what happened. I am grateful that she is a survivor. And I am grateful that both kids and dogs are under your care and supervision. In someone else's hands, this is the kind of story that ends with the dog getting rehomed. 

:)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

John, I was not involved with your situation as I have been off line on and off these past few weeks.  But I have been around here over five years and I will say, NO, not directed at you but certainly your situation.

There are hundreds and thousands of re-homes each day due to situations like yours.  

• Puppy Nipping
• Potty Training Issues
• Poorly bred dogs 
• First-time dog owners
• Children in the home
• Noisy or busy households
• Not understanding time involved
• dog's exercise needs
• years and years and years of training. A lifetime really
• Basic understanding dogs entirely

too many to mention.

So, I've seen my share.  I've also had children and dogs. My dogs, the neighbors dogs, foster dogs, .....

Unfortunately, it is a common situation.

All I can say is NEVER get your children a dog. The dog is your dog. It is part of the family, yes, but not part of the children's lives. It should blend in just like the couch and the kitchen table as far as children as concerned.

Somewhere around here are the statistics for the reasons dogs loose their homes. Children is the number one reason.  It's near 80-90%

So, taking a guess, it was NOT directed at you. Its a fact. Its common. Its sad.  It is a message for all of us, I believe. It is one that needs reiterated constantly around here. 

I'm very sorry you had this experience with your puppy. Puppy ownership is very difficult and a lot of work. Sure, they are cute but they require almost as much as some new-born babies

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, I'm impressed by the ego in the deleted comment. Didn't even think of that person when I posted my comment; through the rescue, I hear about a dozen doodles a week who lose their homes because of issues with kids.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

:)

[Camilla and Darwin]

As someone who frequently visits a shelter, I can 100% agree that it's the number one reason dogs are left in shelters - where I live at least.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

John ~ I don't get your post.  I must have missed something!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am so in agreement with Karen.  Jenn, it sounds like you are doing a great job! Your daughter is a brave little girl and I am sure you are so proud of her.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Awesome Mom! Awesome Doodle Mom! Living proof it can be done,even with tremendous boulders thrown into the mix.
((Hugs)) to you and both of your amazing children.

[BG and Gavin]

As you know the pawing at her face was a play move on Brisby's part.  Even Gavin will bite the air if you blow in his face and go into a play bow (ask me how I know).  Glad everyone is okay.  You and your family have certainly had some serious challenges which you are handling beautifully.  Congrats.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree with this BG, it sounds like it was playfulness. It's a good reminder that even if a dog is just playing, accidents can happen.

I really respect you for having such responsible rules and having such a dedicated attitude. You and your family sound like you have gone through a lot - how wonderful that your daughter is better! You are amazing.

[Julie and Max]

It sounds like you are doing wonderfully at teaching both your kids and dogs. Your daughter wanting to apologize to Brisby shows great animal wisdom from a little girl and you really should be proud of her for that, also that you've taught her to take responsibility for her own actions a lot of children (and their parents) don't seem to do that now days, it's always someone else's fault.