tips for small kids and puppies

[re]

I am teaching my five year old daughter to say a firm no, and push our puppy away by his nose when he tries to bite at her. little nips at me are little, but at her those little nips are big.  Its only three days with him so far, and I can see him starting to respond to it, so I believe its working. (that, and I insist she wears rubber boots around him). now he likes to snuggle her boots in the closet when she has gone to bed.

(strangely he wont chew her boots when she is not in them).

any other experienced ridgeback owner recommendations of training dogs to be gentle? I would love any tips you have. I have been through raising a pointer, chesapeak and english springer spaniel and english staffordshire. ridgebacks are new to me and an entirely different temperment than a hunting dog, and I am surprized I am noticing this so soon. (but thats okay, I am so thrilled to have this dog).

thanks!

[Karen]

I always recommend giving the pup something that is appropriate to chew in place of the body part.
Keep things handy, even if it means having something in your back pocket at all times. Your daughter is old enough to also try doing this.

you also can whimper/whine  when the pup bites on you, as to show that this is not fun and not appropriate. I use a trigger word each time and never stray from it as in  Easy, Easy, so they associate that with not biting.

Always give something to replace your hand, ankle, wrist whatever. Be consistant.

Karen

[saikridgebacks]

I have LOTS of experience with this. LOL  I have a six year old and an infant. The funny thing is , its way harder to train your kids than the puppy LOL. May sound crazy, but it is so true.

IMO the best method is for your children to IGNORE the puppy all together. until the puppy is in a calm state. (note: do not let you children wake the puppy up) Yes the firm NO is great. So in cases of the puppy jumping up and biting this works.

The hard thing is teaching your children NOT to be excited!!! Even when the pup is jumping or trying to play. Your children's small arms waving around just seems like a game to the young pup, which just reinforces the behavior

Heathe

[re]

thanks!

We have boughten half the toys in walmart, and each carry one around with us, and change them often so they are 'a new toy' each time. I lightly sprayed my daughters legs with a natural bug spray, so he no longer nips her because she tastes awful (works great- got the advice from this forum), and I am teaching my daughter to push his head away and say "NO" without waggling her arms or legs at him.

I think we'll pick up some bones this weekend to have out as well, and maybe a big stuffed toy he can chew on.

You can tell he is still learning the ropes and where he stands in the household, so I expect we'll be doing this for while yet. I have met three other grown dogs from this same breeder and family, who are very well behaved, so I have big hopes for this little puppy to turn out as well once he grows out of it.

Last night we tried his first walk, and wore him out, after which he behaved much better. I think we just need to find more 'good' stimulation for him. I am glad to hear of other parents who have dealt successfully with their puppies!

Anyone reccommend any good 'games' for him that still promote good behavior? He has no interest in chasing toys or balls (yet) and i dont want to teach him to chase people or rough play.

I think once we can introduce him to other dogs to play, and take him for more walks, he'll burn off more energy and behave better. but he is still so young yet.

[melissap]

 

Try Bitter Apple rather than bug spray - it is sold in almots any pet supply store, and can be used on items like shoes orthe legs of furniture and other house hold items!!!! I have found it to be very helpful in all areas of training in which I want to deter the pup form chewing on things - made by Grannicks yellow bottle with green writing! Cost - $11.00.

Our son 8 now with a new puppy in hte house, and we are going through all of the same routines in teaching the puppy and Peter to interact positively together! It is much easier however with a child who is 7 plus than with a five year old!!! OUr new puppy is about 11- 12 weeks now and this is our 2nd rr, the first we got when our son was 5 - they are just fien together

You might want to refrain from using the bug spray - it may have negative side effects!

Yes, heathe you are 100% correct, getting the kids to monitor their behavior can be much harder than workign with hte pup - but I'll bet your son will be sure to teach his siblings all the tricks of the trade!

It may also be helpful to have a few older kids into the house, as they will be more capable of following directions and guide the puppy firmly but gently so that you get hte puppy socialized with kids who are better equiped at their age to set some socailization guide lines as the puppy grows - that may be very helpful to both your 5 year old and to the pup - Other kids sometimes learn better from other kids

All the best to you and your new puppy!

Melissa, Brando & Zola