Socialising A Puppy With Kids

[ravenau1]

Hi everyone!

Now, we don't actually have a puppy yet, but it's looking like we will have one later this year so I want to make sure we've covered all the bases.

The puppy will be coming from a breeder who is raising the litter inside, with kids and cats so will be somewhat socialised with kids when we get her. Now the problem we have is how to continue that.

We don't have kids ourselves, and in the 4 years we've lived in this house I can't remember there ever being children here (the odd teenage cousin, but no small kids), it's not really a kid-friendly house. We do know some children, kids of friends, but frankly the only kids I'd trust around a dog live on the other side of the country. So, as far as I'm concerned, having children of people we know interacting with the puppy/dog just isn't practical.

This issue is pretty much the only one that we haven't 'got covered', and I'm not sure of a way around it. It's true that the dog won't be having much to do with kids on a day to day basis, but there are plenty of kids in the park/on the street that we will have to deal with on walks etc as I live in close proximity to a school. Plus somedays it seems like everyone in my street has at least 10 kids

Any advice? Thanks

[pixie_meg]

I'd say a good idea would be to take pup to the park first when there aren't many kids and later when there are a lot. Let kids one on one come up to the pup and pat it, and perhaps give treats. My boy was a little worried about kids but now he is very used to them. your own kids are very different to random kids and its the random kids that you need to let your dog know are ok and sometimes a little unpredictable. We often take my dog to the local park/bus stop where there are a ton of kids. its been really good for him.

[ravenau1]

Thanks pixie meg

[Bully]

When Pele was a pup I'd take her up to the local kindergarten and sit on the seat outside and watch the kids running around screaming When it's home time most kids and parents can't resist a cute puppy Also gives you the chance to talk to the kids and parents and educate them about approaching strange dogs etc.

[freundhund]

I am with Bully, on his/her reply. I have a now 12 month old GSD who I spent the first 6 weeks when she came home sitting outside the local primary school. One note of caution let the teachers know why you are "hanging" around the school with a cute puppy. A lot of schools are very worried about "Stranger danger" .

Since then I have sat outside the school, on numerous occasions, I was also invited into the classroom at the begining. (I had introduced myself) and the class every month measured the dog to see how quick she grow. She became a teaching tool, now my girl is basically bombproof with children.

Good luck and best wishes for your future puppy.

[corvus]

I've found that kids are pretty much wherever we take our dogs anyway. They often want to pat the dogs and are great about asking first and following instructions.

[Parkeyre]

I've found that kids are pretty much wherever we take our dogs anyway. They often want to pat the dogs and are great about asking first and following instructions.

+1 for this.

We live in a town surrounded by kids. Pup goes to beach; swarmed by kids. pup goes for a walk to ATM, children come a running.

it's good fun for the pup, and so long as the kisd aren't idiots, I don't mind them telling me how gorgeous my dog is.

[Genabee]

We are in a similar boat, no children of our own yet, but is super important to us for her to be kid friendly, as we are working on having our own!!.

There is a skate park near us, so I walk her there. Often we sit there and just watch. Also helps to try and teach her to accept bikes, soccer balls, prams, people (big and small), other dogs, cars.... and everything else that happens in public places, as normal. Often kids will want to pat her because they can't resist cute puppies!!!

What a fabulous idea freundhund!!!! I wish people had done that when I was a kid, as I was so scared of dogs (especially big ones like German Shephards!).

[ravenau1]

Great advice everyone! So many helpful people on this site, thanks!

[whiskedaway]

We're once again the same, no kids and no one we know has kids. However, my OH plays footy, so Akira goes to footy every Saturday and because there is junior soccer played in the next field over from the senior footy, we see plenty of kids on a regular basis. As a result, Akira is getting very good with kids and a lot of the kids that we see are becoming regulars who say hello every (second) week and come over for a pat.

[Gretel]

Yes sporting events can be a good socialising spot. I went to some outside markets today where lots of people take their dogs so if you have anything like that nearby it could be good. I met a gorgeous chow puppy The trouble is I can never take my dogs or I couldn't go into the lolly shop....

[ravenau1]

Neither myself or my Husband play sports, but I live about 5 houses down from a largish local sports ground. Football in winter and cricket in summer, usually we just get to listen to the games from the house but taking the dog down there is a great idea. Lots of noise, lots of people etc, great idea!

I think there are open air markets in the next suburb to me, I will check it out!

Thanks again everyone!

[Stitch]

Yes, parks with play equipment etc. are a great place to socialise puppys/dogs.

The BIG thing when socialising any puppy/dog is to settle down where ever you take the pup/dog, read a book, calm down, don't draw the dogs attention to ANYTHING - just sit there involved in whatever you are doing and let the dog think that all the noise/people/activities etc. going on around it are NORMAL.

Don't go to the park with the preconceived idea of only staying a short period of time. Go there with the idea of staying for a while and doing something that you want to do and your dog is tagging along and stay until the dog actually relaxes too!

This way the activities of the children etc. are not the focus of attention - the focus is RELAXATION!!

This is an important aspect of socialisation training.

Sure you can watch your dog out of the corner of your eye, keeping under control, discouraging any barking etc. but the goal should be to get the dog to settle beside you and just relax!!

[Genabee]

Yes, parks with play equipment etc. are a great place to socialise puppys/dogs.

The BIG thing when socialising any puppy/dog is to settle down where ever you take the pup/dog, read a book, calm down, don't draw the dogs attention to ANYTHING - just sit there involved in whatever you are doing and let the dog think that all the noise/people/activities etc. going on around it are NORMAL.

Don't go to the park with the preconceived idea of only staying a short period of time. Go there with the idea of staying for a while and doing something that you want to do and your dog is tagging along and stay until the dog actually relaxes too!

This way the activities of the children etc. are not the focus of attention - the focus is RELAXATION!!

This is an important aspect of socialisation training.

Sure you can watch your dog out of the corner of your eye, keeping under control, discouraging any barking etc. but the goal should be to get the dog to settle beside you and just relax!!

This sounds like good advice. If your dog/puppy is busy hoovering up whatever is on the ground to notice pass byers, is this them being relaxed? Or should they be lying down all but asleep?

[Stitch]

Ignoring whatever is going on around them is better than being scared but the more relaxed they can be the better.

Hoovering is not really relaxation - I prefer a dog that sits/lies beside me so it is the benchmark behaviour that I would accept and aim for in this situation.

If you don't have a picture in your mind or a goal of the behaviour you want, how can you expect to achieve it?

Relaxation is very important in all aspects of dog training which you are doing every time you are with your dog.