How to teach my kids to not be dominated by a puppy. :-)

[Janalle]

Hi all,
I just got my first goldendoodle "Sam" who is 8 weeks.. He's super smart and has learned all the simple commands like sit, stay or come.. My concern is trying to figure out the best way to teach him that my kids (age 6 & 3) are not his litter mates. He jumps and bites at them and they get upset.. He submits to me but I want him to submit to them too.. Help! We had a boxer before who was so sweet and the kids could crawl all over him and he didn't care.. Jake(boxer) was 3 when my son was born so this is the first time having kids and a puppy. Any suggestions?

[Adina P]

I think it will take a while before a puppy A) Calms down enough to respond properly to kids and B) actually will take kids seriously.  What can help is to run your kids through some 'drills'  in how to respond to various puppy behavior and what NOT to do too.  And as your puppy matures and you train it in obedience, a lot of this will be a moot point because you'll be able to tell your dog how you want it to behave and when to sit down or lay down and chill out or come to you, etc.  And as your kids mature, they will better be able to participate in some of the training and maintenance of training.  My oldest is 4 years old and my dogs still don't listen to her. 

[Gail and Bailey]

Join the Puppy Madness Group here in Doodle Kisses and ask the same question there.  I am sure there are lots of families who have kids and a puppy......and I am sure they would give you advice.  I remember something about having the child stand still like a tree trunk and turn his back to the puppy when the pup starts biting.  But I am not sure of details and I am sure someone there can help.  Good luck with your little Sam....he is so cute!!

[Janalle]

Thank you ladies! :-)

[Kris and Sawyer]

This is a hard one. I waited until my youngest child was 11 to get a puppy. And even at 11, Sawyer sees him as his playmate. He's the only one he does that to...partly because of size and partly because my son is not consistent with his behaviors with Sawyer. When I remind him, it is better. One thing I remind him to do is to stand tall around him, be bigger than Sawyer so he recognizes who's in charge. Also I made very clear to Sawyer that my son was mine. Lots of hugs, kisses, snuggling so that he could see his status in the family. Good training goes a long way too. He knows the word "no" and listens to me. At the worse times, I put Sawyer's prong collar on and corrected him. I will say that since he's been neutered, it has been much better. He always had a crazy hour or so at night when he really picked on my son but that seems to have vanished. Good luck!

[Sally S Miles]

Teaching the kids at the same time - absolutely.  My 3yr old granddaughter has a very commanding presence, when she says No the dog responds - - but six year old gets dog stirred up and I have to breathe deep, he gets upset. It's the way they handle themselves and how the dog responds - a lot to gather into a bundle.  Puppies are in their own world - a world of hurting gums, wanting food and warmth - this too shall pass.        The first thing we had to teach the kids was turn away - crossed arms, and a no questions asked 'no'.     The dog learned faster!     Time and patience, limits and supervision.

[Sally S Miles]

I was thinking some more about this and some ideas that I have used in the past - an x-pen is your friend, as is crate time. Lead training starts now.  If you are in charge of exercise for puppy then a tired pup will be easier to manage.  Children have those wonderful big eyes, high pitched voices and quick movements that just get some dogs going.  They smell good and are a convenient size.  

They need to learn to be still, how to cross their arms and turn away. Be a tree.  Watch Oscar the Grouch for a bit of vocal coaching on how to tell the pup no (silly, but it's tone).   Always be sure that the kids have no remnants of snacks on their tasty fingers and clothing.   Teach them that the dogs toys need to stay down low, or perhaps at this point not mess with them at all.

It can be a fun time and yes trying, this early on is baby steps.   The direction of chew toys vs fingers and body parts, jumping - it will come and they will learn.     

[Janalle]

Sally what is an x-pen? :-) I've been having them cross their arms and turn away from him when he acts up.. I think training my kids is more difficult bc they want to crazy play then get upset when Sam bites.. The kids go back to school Tuesday, thank goodness. I think that will give me more time one on one training.. A friend of mine just got herself a goldendoodle as well so I'm looking forward for them to play together.. I have a feeling her dog was an alpha so he may put Sam in his place..