Meet Ranger :) And a question about getting family used to new pup

[Jen D]

After a long process and lots of worries about our son's allergies, we have gone for it and picked up our new puppy, Ranger, yesterday. YAY!!!!

So far he has been amazingly good - he went right to the door and scratched to go outside. No accidents at all yet. His first night was a little rough (woke to go out at 1, 2, and 4) but he is a total sweetheart.

So far our son seems fine though we are keeping a close eye on him.

So, question, our son seems afraid of the puppy. I think he got a little nip and it freaked him out. He has some language delays so it's hard for me to explain how to act around a puppy. He is instinctively pulling away and running when the pup gets near him. I'm hovering very close and controlling Ranger so he doesn't get a chance to nip again, but I'm wondering if anyone has some idea for how to make our son fell more confident around the new puppy?

Thanks!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

How old is your son?

[Ginny Nightingale]

That is a tough one--I am sure you will get good advice here--maybe you could take a walk with your son and the pup--the walk will keep the pup's attention and your son will gain confidence if he has a job--again--as Jane asked, it depends on his age--if he is little and in a stroller, the leash could be looped on the handle (with you actually holding it at the end) so that your son is involved--or you could go pick out a toy for the pup and give it to him together...but these first months are rough for everyone with a young child and a puppy--your son's reaction is not unusual.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ranger is adorable!  One of the things you might do is put the puppy in an ex-pen and let your son stand/sit outside it and simply watch the puppy. Use simplified language with both your son and the pup.

[Jen D]

Oh, thank you!  I ordered one of these tonight.

[Jen D]

He is 6 but his comprehension is closer to 4ish so he's very young in some ways. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Puppies use their teeth at this age to explore their world, and unfortunately for a few months they are prone to nipping.  They are also pretty excitable and love to chase and jump.  I'm sure all of this will be a bit difficult for your son.  I too have a special needs adult son who even though he's full grown wanted nothing to do with the dogs when they were at this stage. Nancy's idea of the ex-pen is great because he can get used to the puppy without any chance of another nip.  It's going to be important to teach your son not to run or be loud around the puppy, because that will just cause excitement which often escalates the nipping and jumping.  Good luck.....

[Jen D]

Thank you! I've been focusing on trying to calm our son down and that is making such a huge difference.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great....please keep us posted.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Here is your picture of Ranger for everyone to see!  He is adorable.  I hope that others on here can help with advice, as it's going to be difficult until Ranger grows up a bit.

[Jen D]

Thank you!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Perhaps your son could help feed the puppy? Does a Ranger know 'sit' yet? My sons always asked for sit when Rip was getting too excitable as a pup. It helps them regain control and puts pups into "training/thinking mode." Then when Ranger is sitting, your son can place down the food bowl (once Ranger is calm) and step away for Ranger to eat. He also can throw a treat into the food bowl while Ranger is eating which helps prevent resource guarding as it teaches pup that your son coming near = good things! These are all things we had both our boys (my younger has delays as well!) practice with Rip when he was little. I think by giving kids tools (commands, jobs to do with pup) it makes for constructive interactions and helps kids feel more in control. And a positive flip side is that pup sees kid as a leader rather than 'playmate.' Best of luck with Ranger, he is a cutie!

[Jen D]

Thank you :) I've actually realized that I was focusing too much on Ranger's behavior and not enough on my son's. He now shouts "SIT" when Ranger gets near him. Not perfect but it's a start, ha. Next we will work on a calm voice....