Games for kids and puppies

[Jenn and Bogey]

We will be bringing home our mini ALD in about three weeks. We have three young kids (7,5 and 2). I was wondering what are some good games that the kids can play with the puppy that won't create bad behaviors later on. I read that they shouldn't play tug with the puppy, is that correct? Thanks for your help!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

There are some great dog training books out there (check Amazon) that help children learn how to train a dog and teach it tricks.  Your oldest two are a great age for this.  If you work with them, one at a time for about 10 minutes each they will learn valuable lessons in training a dog and teaching tricks.  So all the basic commands, sit, stay, down, come, drop and so on and then start out with basic tricks and work up to fetch, which will be simple after the other commands are mastered. This type of teaching and training is good for your kids and your dog, it will re-enforce the pecking order in the family and are safe ways to play with your puppy.  Think of how great for your kids self esteem to say they trained their dog!!

You would, of course, always be monitoring this training and play time.

Our dog trainer has a four year old daughter, he frequently posts pictures of her putting her own german shepard and blue tick hound through their paces.  She will be training for other people before she hits her teens.

[Jenn and Bogey]

Thank you Judy for the ideas! I have a puppy shopping list on Amazon and found some kid training /trick books with good ratings. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, no tug, and no games where the puppy is encouraged to jump and grab something from the child; this often happens when parents encourage the child to give the dog a treat or toy, but the child is a little bit afraid and holds the object out of the pup's reach so that he's forced to jump to get it. Similarly, no games where they wrestle or pull anything away from the dog. The dog must drop the object before anyone picks it up to throw it again. And any time the dog's teeth touch flesh, or grab part of a child's clothing, accidentally or otherwise, the game ends.

Hide and seek with a treat is a good game for kids and puppies, as well as plain old fetch. For really small kids like your two year old, rolling the ball and letting the puppy chase it is a good alternative to throwing it. I roll a big rope ball down the hallway for Jack to chase and he's loved it since I got him. 

This is not about playing, but no hugging, and try to keep lifting and carrying the puppy around to an absolute minimum. Both of these things look very aggressive and threatening to most puppies and dogs. Teach the kids to pet the puppy on his sides, chest or back, not his head or face.

It can be very challenging to raise a young puppy with multiple small children. Supervision is going to be critical, at all times. 

[Jenn and Bogey]

Thank you Karen! That video was very eye opening and such an important message. And also the game ideas are great!

What are your thoughts on tethering? I planned on tethering to me during part of the day to keep a close eye.  If me or my husband aren't able to supervise, then pup will be in the exercise pen or crate which will be in our family room.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Tethering is a must. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And if you haven't watched the video I posted in this discussion, watch it now. 

It's the most important thing you will see or read in regard to the interactions between your children and your dog. 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/parents-and-grandparents-p...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And the comments from other DK members in the above linked discussion are valuable reading, too. 

[Jenn and Bogey]

Will definitely read through all the comments. I have been soaking up all the information I can to prepare for our puppy. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I also think it will help a lot if you can teach your children to play with the puppy without getting overly excited.  Excitement is contagious and it usually results in some undesirable behaviors in puppies.  I know this is easier said than done....even controlling the running and high loud voices will help.

[Nancy & Echo]

Thank you for this, Jane.  I have zero dog experience, and am starting volunteering at the city animal shelter to get some dog experience.  I don't think my mentor thinks I did well at my first mentoring session, but I don't think I did that horribly considering I have no experience. I was using a high voice though.  I should practice not using such a high voice.  I don't have to worry about me running and exciting the dogs :-).

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Good for you....it's awesome that you're doing this to learn about dogs before getting one of your own.  If more first-time dog owners did this there would be fewer puppies in the shelters.

[VScott & Lloyd]

Congrats on preparing for your puppy! Once you get him start teaching basic commands. Even though he's still little, he'll be ready to learn. Doodles are generally so smart and pick up quickly.

I have two boys ages 8 and 9 and puppy Lloyd is 5 months old. Even at their ages I have still keep an eye on them when they're together. Although they do like to hug him, I tell them never to put their faces close or in front of his. Not to scare you (and hopefully your puppy may not even be like this), but mine was very nippy for the first couple of months.  It made it worse when the kids would shriek or try to make sudden movements (how can they not?!). However this is all normal puppy excitement but not fun. He was tethered the first 2 months or so we had him. Our trainer said Lloyd saw the boys as litter mates instead of leaders. So she suggested they feed him his meals and made sure Lloyd saw them fill the bowl, etc. Before Lloyd can start eating the boys must make him sit, lay down, wait, and look at them in the eyes until they say "Go!" Sometimes they would hand feed him (open palm) a few pieces of kibble too. Good training and bonding for them.

I agree with no tug of war. Hide and seek is great. We play in the house and hide in funny places like the bathtub. Our kids get a kick out of it and it helps puppy practice recall. We also got a tail chaser which may be more appropriate for your  5 and 7 year olds. It's like a fishing pole with a squeaky plush toy at the end that the pups chase. I got ours on Amazon for about $16 and it includes an extra replacement toy. The kids love using it in the backyard and it expends a lot of puppy energy.

Simply taking a walk with puppy and kids is great. Family time! My boys are typical boys and don't say much about their day when asked. But once we're walking, what else can they do but talk to me. LOL!