Over Excited Puppy

[drifter]

I'm just wondering if someone can give me some advice. We have a 4 month old labrador puppy. We also have 3 children aged 3,7and9. This is our first puppy since we have had children. She is an inside dog and is crate trained. Our house rules are that she is not allowed on lounges or beds or allowed to jump up on anyone. This is particularly so that the kids can have a place to retreat to if they want a bit of peace and space. Daisy however doesn't really like this rule ;) and will jump onto the lounge often, especially if she's excited and will then jump all over the kids. When I tell her to get down she doesn't and growls and snaps at me (just playing I think)if I try to grab her collar to get her down and when she's on top of a 3 year olds head sometimes you just have to physically move the dog.

She also gets incredibly excited around strangers and other dogs to the point where my 3 year olds friends are frightened to come to play because of her. I lock her away from the kids if this is the case but I really don't want to have to do this. I have tried hard to socialise her well but you can't let kids get hurt while your exuberant puppy figures out what the rules are. I have done puppy preschool with her and she is enrolled for obedience classes but they don't start for another 3 weeks (I was hoping to start at the beginning of July but because I couldn't make it to the first class they wouldn't let me start until the following month)

Sorry for the long post. Any help really appreciated.

[Red Fox]

She's only a baby and doesn't understand the house rules yet, so it's your job to prevent her from making these mistakes

Keep a leash on her in the house, teach her an "off" command (ie, get off the couch, get off the bed, etc) use the leash if you need to. Always re-inforce the behaviour you want. Don't chase her or grab at her as this will only turn it into one big, FUN, game.

Crate her when there are strangers in the house and do not let them interact with her until she is calm.

Also work on teaching her a "mat" command. Basically a long, relaxed down on her mat/bed. Make the mat the best, most rewarding place to be. Start with very short sessions - getting her to go to the mat, then down on the mat, then add duration, then distraction. It will take some time.

[persephone]

not a good combination .. anyway

I suggest you look at what is available in THIS LINK about having dogs & kids safely . Have a look at the BOOK , especially

Until you equip yourself with the skills to train your pup .. perhaps keep her on leash as much as possible when visitors come- that way kids AND pup can be educated , and socialised ;) Kids need to be taught how to behave around pups ...and dogs

I strongly recommend you implement N I L I F "nothing in life is free" LINK

[drifter]

She's only a baby and doesn't understand the house rules yet, so it's your job to prevent her from making these mistakes

Keep a leash on her in the house, teach her an "off" command (ie, get off the couch, get off the bed, etc) use the leash if you need to. Always re-inforce the behaviour you want. Don't chase her or grab at her as this will only turn it into one big, FUN, game.

Crate her when there are strangers in the house and do not let them interact with her until she is calm.

Also work on teaching her a "mat" command. Basically a long, relaxed down on her mat/bed. Make the mat the best, most rewarding place to be. Start with very short sessions - getting her to go to the mat, then down on the mat, then add duration, then distraction. It will take some time.

That's great- thanks secretkei, I'll definately try your suggestions. I know she's too young to know the rules yet, I guess I'm just after some techniques to try to learn these two rules in particular. I'm sure your tips will be a great help.

[drifter]

not a good combination .. anyway

I suggest you look at what is available in THIS LINK about having dogs & kids safely . Have a look at the BOOK , especially

Until you equip yourself with the skills to train your pup .. perhaps keep her on leash as much as possible when visitors come- that way kids AND pup can be educated , and socialised ;) Kids need to be taught how to behave around pups ...and dogs

I strongly recommend you implement N I L I F "nothing in life is free" LINK

Ouch but thanks for the links, I'll check them out

[Kiara&Heidi]

not a good combination .. anyway

I suggest you look at what is available in THIS LINK about having dogs & kids safely . Have a look at the BOOK , especially

Until you equip yourself with the skills to train your pup .. perhaps keep her on leash as much as possible when visitors come- that way kids AND pup can be educated , and socialised ;) Kids need to be taught how to behave around pups ...and dogs

I strongly recommend you implement N I L I F "nothing in life is free" LINK

I don't know why you're suggesting pups and kids aren't a good combination? I have grown up with several dogs/puppies and there have always been kids in the house...everyone gets on great and if anything it is a win-win situation because the dogs learn to be good with kids and the kids learn to care for and respect dogs.

[persephone]

I don't know why you're suggesting pups and kids aren't a good combination?

An excitable pup , who has not learnt proper manners ... and younger kids who inadvertently provide her with opportunities,and who may get hurt is not a good combination . Pups and kids who are supervised, all trained and who play by the rules, are a terrific combination!