BIG-DOG-LOVER Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 As we are looking at getting a pup before the year is out (hopefully) I'd like to ask opinions regarding the involvement of children with training a pup. Our kids are 7 and 9 (turning 8 and 10 this year) and both are exceptionally good with the dog that we currently own but have not grown up with her from a pup. The dog we have was my husbands before I met him and subsequently moved in etc. She listens to my commands and to the children's on most occasions, however she definitely listens to my husbands commands more so than mine. I'm wondering how the 'pack' works when you have two adults, and two children in the family? Do you assign one adult as the 'pack' leader and only one adult trains the dog initially? Do you allow children to be involved in the dog training? If you don't then will the dog actually listen to what they say or just ignore them? Sorry for all the questions, just curious as to how best to train when we get a pup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 In my experience at least, dogs will listen to anyone it's in their best interests to listen to. From Penny's perspective (she's a corgi), that means anyone that makes it clear through tone that she won't get to do whatever she likes by ignoring that person. And anyone that gives her things she wants if she does for them what they ask her to. So all it comes down to in the end is motivation for the dog. If you can give a dog a better reason to obey than to disobey, they'll obey. And it won't matter who is giving them the reason, if it's going to be better for them from their perspective, they won't care where they might think of you in the pack order (if one even exists). I think the best thing to do is to get everyone to do training. Apart from making sure everyone is on the same page, it also encourages a bond between the dog and each member of the family, as training is a bonding thing as well as an obedience thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG-DOG-LOVER Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 Thanks corvus, I agree that it would most likely encourage a better bond between all family members if we all contribute to a new pups training, I just wasn't sure on what the 'rules' of such where as it's all quite new to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Wait, there's rules? I think sometimes we'd all be better off if we pretended we knew nothing about dogs every now and then. When I was raising my little wild hare, I knew nothing about what I was doing and all the info I could get hold of turned out to be wrong. In the end, I just relied on him to let me know what he needed and wanted and what resulted was a really amazing bond between us. Much better than the bond I have with my dog! Having said that, there are of course some things that I wouldn't do if I had my time over. And knowing how much and how often to feed the little beggar would have been useful! I reckon you listen to all the advice out there and in the end do what rings true for you and your dog. But that's sort of wishy washy advice. Anyway, best of luck with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I'd recommend an adult teach the dog and assist the children to reinforce it's training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelpie-i Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I agree with Poodlefan. For the purpose of correct timing of praise/reward, handling, control and consistency, it is best that the adult do the initial teaching and the children can simply work with the dog once he has been trained. I've seen young children try to "teach" puppies and it just doesn't work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Ditto kelpie i and poodlefan. Once the dog knows the adult can assist with double handling initially, reinforcing the childs commands, having 2 leashes etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelle Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 I've seen young children try to "teach" puppies and it just doesn't work! Maybe the children that you hav seen teach puppies didnt work, however some children can do it. My son is teaching our dog and their trainers say they are both doing fantastic. I personally feel it depends on a lot. The age, breed, temperament and drive of the dog. and..............The age, breed temperament and drive of the child SOme children I agree would make awful trainers, they are not focussed enough or do not understand the dogs way of thinking. My 10 yr old did puppy school, does agility and obedience with his pup and is fully switched onto the dogs needs, drive, mind matter eg. He knows when to have a break, when to play, changes treats, goes back to basics if he thinks he has moved too fast. His pup is his hobby, his mate, his constant companion and I have no doubt that he and only he brings out the best in that dog. He wouldnt be as good as an adult I would prob agree, but he is doing a fantastic job and I feel confident that I am helping the future of animals with a boy like mine. He'll will prob go through life with a dog by hi side constantly and the dogs can only benefit form that as he gets older. He has asked me for a Border Collie next but I have said he will have to wait until he is older as I feel that they are particularly intelligent dogs with far too high needs for me or him at the moment. One day he will get his BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyZ Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 I agree with PF. Adult training then kids helping. I do think it is important to get the kids involved no matter the age. Gracie, who is two, knows not to look Angel in the eye directly (like the 2cm away I love you thing lol!) and know that Angel prefers to be patted under the chin. Angel is going semi-blind so it can freak her out if you pat her on her head suddenly or there are sudden movement around her face. But IMHO that is just good practice for interaction in general. I think it is important for kids to feel calm and confident around dogs and kids need to know the boundaries just as much as the dogs. In so far as sit, stay, roll, obedience etc etc training I know that I was doing this with our setters from when I was young - maybe 5 - so I think it depends very much on the dog and the kid. Go with the flow I say, don't force it and you will see what the best way to go is Bec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG-DOG-LOVER Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 Thanks all, I guess it's pre puppy jitters and the thought of the unknown but I'm sure things will be fine once we actually get a puppy and work out our own way of doing things. Like with parenting you can't do everything by the book as it just doesn't work that way - I guess puppy raising is the same! Cheers, BDL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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