Brucey Mumma Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 (edited) We have a 5mth old malt x & he is divine! But the kids are scared of him 6.5yo was wary at first but then ok & 5yo was fine, then they both were nipped within an hour or so of each other & since then nothing I can say or do will convince them that Bruce won't bite. I have tried to explain that he is a puppy & it's our job as his boss to teach him not to nip/jump etc etc. I've shown them how to do it, I've stood with them, but they just become hysterical. I have tried being hard assed with them & ignoring the carry on, removing Bruce to only have access to the back part of the house (kitchen, bathroom, my room), I have taken them for walks with him, let them feed him his dinner/breakfast (with my help of course) but nothing changes, they are fine as long has I have hold of him, but once I let him go, they go nuts. He can be bouncy, he's a pup for goodness sakes, but TBH IMO most of the issue is with the kids, every time they see him they start flapping their hands around, screaming & yelling 'bruce' 'bruce' like flipping banshee's and then wonder why he comes bounding over to them like a lunatic. I don't even know if this is the correct place to post this, OH & I have discussed getting a dog trainer out to our house to not only train Bruce a little, but maybe also incorporate the kids into it as well, do they even do that? We also have a 1yo who spends all day on the floor with Bruce with no worries, they play chasies, which is very cute & if Bruce does get motuhy the 1yo growls at him & just pushes him away!! Any advice? At this point, I am looking at re-homing the two older kids BruceyMumma (Sorry, I initally only posted half the post, due to 1yo & his keyboard magnetic fingers) Edited December 17, 2008 by Brucey Mumma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 rehoming the kids is a good option! Seriously- YES get a trainer/behaviourist out.ASAP. It won't be cheap- however it better than either rehoming the pup, or having hysterical kids. Where are you situated? in the meantime- have you read THIS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Buy a crate. Put the kids in it. Seriously how about keeping him on lead when they are with him and buying him a puppy pen or crate. A dog trainer won't train your kids I'm afraid but they may have some coping strategies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony mazzeri Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Do you think they might be feeding off each other's reactions and multiplying it? Maybe separate them when you're trying to teach them how to behave with the pup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 How where they around dogs before you brought the pup home?? Do you feel they where ready for a pup due to watching them interact with friends dogs etc etc?? Did you do any pre puppy talks about what to expect ?? The reality is only you now your children & how they deal with things & you need to seriously work out what will be the best . Do you have rellies who could look after the pup for a few days & see what the reaction is from the kids with pup being away(whether they miss it,rejoice that its gone) At present it seems the pup isnt overwhelmed by there behavior which could make some dogs fearful but an area you mst watch for. What is the best option who knows but i wouldnt rule out rehoming if its in the best interest of the pup. The vicdogs website has a section on children & dogs which is really good.We print out colour copies to go in our puppy folders, I think its part of the govt programme . Maybe print it off & let the kids havea look & talk it over with them.Use a stuffed toy as a educator . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I would definitely suggest getting a good trainer to come and assist you- it can help with he puppy and in some cases, with the children and their responses to the puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelgianPup Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 A suggestion only: (sounds like the kids may be too scared to do this...) If they were to hold a toy when the puppy was near tyhem so it could focus on that rather than them and they may feel like they have a bit of a barrier and Bruce's attention is clearly not on them then? lol, but why take an amateur's 2c worth? :D I can highly recommend Cosmolo from Underdog training as not just a 'good' trainer but an excellent one :D Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest belgian.blue Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 If this is any help .. in my younger days I used to be TERRIFIED of budgies, yes budgies. Now I just adore birds. How long have you had the pup? I'm sure over time and keeping the pup on leash around them they'll soon adjust to him. I've had kids around Ivy who have never seen dogs and they went nuts, screaming etc and then about 30 minutes later he got a lot more accepting of her. the screaming stopped and Ivy got quite close to him. You yourself have to be calm when the kids and pup are near each other .. if you're worried and nervous then everyone else will be! Give the kids short frequent periods with the leashed pup and soon enough they'll love him to bits :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rysup Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 If it is any consolation, my 3.5 year old has grown up with dogs, but if any dog (mine included) taller than HIS knees comes within a metre of him, he screams! This is the kid who helps me let the dogs out in the mornings, and helps me feed them of an evening. But if one gets too close, thats it, he screams. Blood curdling screams. I am sure the neighbours think he is being eaten by a pack of wild dogs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucylotto Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I would definitely suggest getting a good trainer to come and assist you- it can help with he puppy and in some cases, with the children and their responses to the puppy. I would agree. I had kids similar ages when we had our lab pup. Even tho they are just pups, they are so boisterous and nippy due to them being babies themselves, it can be pretty scary for young humans. (pain is antisocial phenomenom!) So.. we called in a trainer to teach the kids (and us) how to handle the dog ..they listened to him with a respect I wouldn't have commanded. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Things like getting them to take him for walks with you help alot too. Get them involued in activities with the pup rather than standing there say he won't bite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucey Mumma Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hi Thankyou to everyone who has given me advice, I really appreciate it. My absolute last resort would be to re-home Bruce, I just adore & love him so muc, I love to take him for walks & he has the best cuddles ever, although the licking I could do without, I must taste mighty nice after a shower LOL but he is honestly just divine I have read though this thread & will try some of the suggestions. I think I was asking too much of the kids, I suppose I just get frustrated with them at times, as I know they want to play with him so badly, they are just too scared & they don't get that if they were calm & acted 'normally' he would get over it & go on his merry way within 5 minutes, but that is thinking like an adult & they (and Bruce) are just kids, with no known logic to be seen LOL. OH & I are definitely looking at bringing a trainer in to teach not only Bruce, but us as well, the best way to deal with him, I have no doubt that I am doing many things I shouldn't be doing Brucey Mumma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucey Mumma Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi, I thought I would come back & update this discussion, in case anyone else is/was having the same problem as us. Our problem has improved out of sight. We went away on holidays at christmas time to my mums, we took Bruce with us, as Mum has a very social & happy little girl for him to play with & the difference in him having a friend to play with was amazing, the silly puppy jumping & nipping of the kids stopped, he was more gentle with the kids & less lunatic-like, I think because he had a puppy friend to wear off all of that puppy energy! So, I had dreadful thoughts of when we came home & he was back to just us & no furry friend & although he has reverted a little, back to being a nutcase (LOL) the kids seem to have gained a bit more confidence with him while away & are no longer scared to tell him to get down & 'be the boss' .. So we are working on that every day & they are feeding him & giving him his treats & bones etc & all seems to be getting easier, no doubt also because he is getting a bit older too & therefore losing a little of the puppy madness. Now ... seriously debating a puppy friend for him to play with ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Glad things have improved so much Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappiemum Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Glad things have improved so much Well done! I ended up with two pups, brother and sister, and highly recommend it. Be aware, though, that walking the dog(s) will now involve 2 people...oh, and if its like my two, they will work in partnership in stealing socks, chewing the carpet and eating every plant your garden (after they've dug it up first - apparently the roots are the best bit). Love em, really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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