Puppy Training With Kids

[Dawn and Molly]

Our loveable double doodle, Molly, is 9 weeks old.  We have been going through a lot of the normal puppy things with her.  We have noticed that there is definitely a "family order" going on.  My youngest (our 6 year old) is having some problems.  We are trying to teach her to stand like a tree, be firm with her "no bite" command, and also be consistent with the same things we are doing.  She is trying, but Molly seems to think she is her litter mate :)  I understand that we need to have patience, consistency, and keep up the training (for our daughter and Molly).  I wanted to know if anyone has read any books, articles, or seen any videos that they found helpful?  We are going to put Molly in a group training class after she has had her shots, but looking for some insights now.  My daughter broke my heart tonight when she said, "I am just not good with puppies."  She is an animal lover and is starting to become a little afraid of the nipping (which is probably adding to the problem).  

[Donny]

I'm in a similar situation with my 8 week old puppy and my 6 year old. I'll be watching to see what others suggests. I've been trying to read up on everything too but pooped out literally and physically ☺️

[Dawn and Molly]

Good luck!  My eight year old son is doing better with her.  I think it might just take time and patience.  My daughter came out this morning dressed in shorts and a t-shirt (not that kind of weather here).  I asked her what she was doing and her reply was, "So Molly won't bite my clothes."  Time, patience, and lots of instruction...lol.  

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Awww. What helped me a lot was Doggy Dan, the online dog trainer. Yes, you have to pay a monthly membership fee, but I felt it was totally worth it as I had a million little questions for which I could just go online any time of day or night and pull up a video. He is terrific and recommended by doodlekisses website, that is how iI found him. Very positive, and very effective techniques are easily explained in his many, many videos - including a whole puppy series. Now I sound like an ad, but it really helped me find answers quickly. Good luck! Nipping passed for us pretty quickly (weeks vs. months) with very consistent ouch/ turning and ignoring, and providing chew toys. Good luck!!

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks so much!  We are doing the same with the "ouch", positive praise for doing the correct behavior, ignoring, toy replacement,etc... too. It is actually getting better overall.  I will check out Doggy Dan.  I think the big thing with my daughter is she isn't consistent.  We are working on her being calm first and not overly excited when she approaches Molly as well.  Thanks for your input!  

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, then, and the puppy will just take some time to grow up a little (versus your daughter being so hard on herself!) " this too shall pass," as my gram always said! :-)

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks Cindy!  I just went on Doggy Dan's website and signed up for the free trial.  I couldn't find out how much it normally costs.  Do you mind letting me know or even messaging me the cost if you know?  Thanks in advance.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Awesome! I will friend you and let you know what I remember. I had my boys participate in the five golden rules (super important) he talks about, and in the training, and that certainly helped. It is hard as the kids just naturally aren't as consistent and/or get excited, and puppy is just waiting to pounce on those opportunities, lol. And when you're in the midst of early puppy weeks, it can be exasperating! Rest assured that with time, patience, and training your pup will learn and mellow more and more., as I'm sure you know. :-)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Cindy ~ you made  terrific choice! Doggie Dan is so terrific and his method of training is positive.  I so wish all new puppy owners would take the time to join his site - puppyhood would be so much easier.  

[Dawn and Molly]

I will definitely check it out.  This site is such a great resource!

[Missy]

what a cutie!! 

I found this book extremely helpful.  we were 1st time dog owners, so we really needed all the help.

http://www.amazon.com/Puppy-Primer-Patricia-B-McConnell/dp/18917671...

I was instructed to yelp (high pitch) when our pup would nip. and of course end play.

I can understand your daughter shying away as those teeth are sharp!!

What I loved about this book was it took it one step at a time. and encouraged use of hand signals. it is amazing how useful the hand signals have come in handy with us.  we are at 3 years of age and I can be across the room and put the dog in a sit, lay, stay. No need to yell!

I had no idea of how to teach a pup to sit. to stay. to listen to commands. and this book was very instrumental in our training.  we did not do classes because we are in a rural area.

I used puppy food as the treats and did 'class' multiple times a day.  Maybe encourage your daughter to have 'class' with pup to foster a bond. 

9 weeks is not too early to start the process.  They are learning the world around them.  Figure out what actions you desire to have and work towards that goal. these pups are a great addition to families and you will have many loves and laughs!!

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks so much.  I will take a look at at the book.  Molly is really a smart little pup and we just adore her.  I have found that positive reinforcement works really well with her.  I think it is just going to take more time and patience for things to come together.  She is a really curious and energetic pup with such a big loving heart.  I am really glad we picked a doodle. 

I think I might try the class idea for Kate.  Right now there is definitely a difference of how Molly treats Kate, verses the rest of us.  This might be helpful.  

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

It is very common for a puppy/dog not to respond to kids they way they will an adult. They definitely pick up on the family hierarchy! They figure they can at least get themselves above that little person! :)

One Doggy Dan training tip I would try is not only getting your daughter to approach the puppy calmly, but to ignore her altogether whenever they first see each other. So whether it is in the morning, or after school, or after she comes home from an activity- have her practice giving the puppy no eye contact, touching, talking anything... completely ignore her (which is so hard to do with a cute puppy!) Have her wait until the puppy becomes disinterested and wanders off and lies down (hopefully that's what will happen) and then she can calmly approach her and give her love for her calm behavior. This is actually good practice for the whole family. It's a simple way to communicate to a dog that they are not in charge of the household and can't demand attention. 

Good luck! It broke my heart to hear your daughter feeling like she isn't good with puppies. I think that is a common outcome that people don't expect when they bring that adorable pup into a family. Oddly enough, puppies and kids are a tough mix but in the long run they will be dear friends. My daughter was 7 when we brought our Rooney home and I do think she was sometimes a bit disillusioned about what having a puppy would be like. But she and Rooney are such buddies now, with the help of time, maturity and training for both of them!

(And by the way-the reason I'm still on this group even though my Rooney is 4 years old is because we are getting another Doodle puppy!! So, you see, four years from now you will have completely forgotten all these challenges and will think you should get another one!) 

Four years later....