Puppy

[daisy]

I am very VERY sad to say that our Puppy (Who is now about 10 months old) is not kid-friendly. We have been working with her and working with her, since we got her in May. And she has moments where she is okay...but now this morning, she went AFTER my 2 little ones, (with me standing close enough by to ensure no harm was done to them). They're never alone together, the dog and the kids. We've been having another behavior issue with her that we've been working on, unsuccesfully. She seems frustrated with us for attempting to curb that behavior, and is in turn more aggressive towards the kids.

She is well trained, and a fantastic dog when indoors. The problem is she wants to be outdoors all the time (and is therefore destructive, seeing as she's only 10 months). She WILL NOT COME IN from play. Taking her out on a leash she does GREAT, but to take her out and run her, throw a ball for her, whatever, you can't get near her and she won't come back in. Its so weird! We cannot figure it out, there's nothing to be afraid of in the house, we all love her (the kids not so much this morning). Anyway, this morning we took her out to run her, and when we were getting ready to wrangle her back in she attempted to corner my daughter (6) by chasing her and jumping at her until she was backed into the fence (was only a couple feet behind her to start) then went at her face. Again, I was there, no harm was done. Dog bolted when I came towards, so couldn't get her by the collar to come in or restrain. Then she immediately went after my son (4) who was trying to walk into the house while all this was happening. She tackled him to the ground and went at his head with her mouth. I ran over, she bolted, so again no damage...kids were shook up though. Last night we had a situation that was simillar but we thought it was a fluke. She was in her kennel for a little time out(20 minutes maybe less) when we opened the gate she went straight for the kids. Tackled the 6 year old and scratched up her back. We thought she just got confused and tried to go over them instead of around...but now not so sure. These are just the last 2 events in an unfortunate series lately.

She is a good pup other than really REALLY not kid compatible. I don't feel it is responsible to have her in my home. Any responses welcome...please don't be mean. I love our pup, but of course my kids come first and I am at my wits end here

 

[RoseRed]

What kind of dog?

 

[Baja28]

What kind of dog?

You need to get rid of it now.

 

[slotpuppy]

Sorry to hear about your pup. The only thing I could suggest is check with a profesional dog trainer, they should be able to help with the behavior. One thing we did the help in the short term with our puppies is to put about 10 coins in a empty soda can and tape the end shut. We would throw it on the ground by the pup to spook it and stop it from doing what it was not supposed to.

 

[migtig]

I don't have kids. However, I do have dogs.

Dogs pick up on your frustration. They pick up on your anxiety. They pick up on your fears. By not asserting you are in charge, training properly/consistently and by freaking out when the dog goes near your kids, you are promoting these issues. If you aren't the leader of the pack, then your dog will want that role, which promotes more issues.

Plus a puppy needs constant activity/exercise to help release their energy so they can concentrate on being a good dog. You can turn exercise into training. Instead of tossing your dog into the yard, you instead could walk them on a leash for 30 minutes to an hour several times a day. You toss the ball for a while with the dog and make sure to reward each time the ball comes back.

I currently have a female dog who has issues because we let her get by with things early (oh so little and adorable) and we weren't consistent with training between my husband and myself. Once I had a talk with my husband that I wasn't tolerating her attitude anymore and he needed to stop babying her, I was able to instill in her that I was the Alpha, not her, and in the process changed my approach from yelling in frustration to calm assertiveness, she started changing as well. It's not a five minute training and you're done. It has to be all the time. Every day.

If you can't do that kind of training, then you are correct, you need to find another home for your dog.

 

[Roman]

I know that you love your Puppy, and you have a huge decision to make. But if she is a large breed Dog, you are looking for trouble down the line, especially if you have Company over that also have Children. There's a liability issue there. You can always find Rescue Groups that may take her, and when they advertise her, they will state "No Children, or No Small Children". I wish you, and your Pup the best.

 

[animalluvr4life]

I know that you love your Puppy, and you have a huge decision to make. But if she is a large breed Dog, you are looking for trouble down the line, especially if you have Company over that also have Children. There's a liability issue there. You can always find Rescue Groups that may take her, and when they advertise her, they will state "No Children, or No Small Children". I wish you, and your Pup the best.

i would suggest getting a dog obedience trainer in before giving up the dog. the lady i used was very good and she helped me nip a few things in the bud before they got too bad. if you would like you can pm me and i can give you her information. she will come to your house and work with u the kids and the dog on how to get it so there are no issues.

I see it as she is a puppy and she wants to play but you need her to know the correct way to do so which isn't knocking the kids over and jumping on top of them to play. maybe also if you played ball with her for a decent amount of time it might wear her out and make her a happy puppy as dogs love to play they don't love to be trapped in the house with nothing to do other than sleep because they are bored.

 

[Roman]

i would suggest getting a dog obedience trainer in before giving up the dog. the lady i used was very good and she helped me nip a few things in the bud before they got too bad. if you would like you can pm me and i can give you her information. she will come to your house and work with u the kids and the dog on how to get it so there are no issues.

I see it as she is a puppy and she wants to play but you need her to know the correct way to do so which isn't knocking the kids over and jumping on top of them to play. maybe also if you played ball with her for a decent amount of time it might wear her out and make her a happy puppy as dogs love to play they don't love to be trapped in the house with nothing to do other than sleep because they are bored.

You are right, she is just a Puppy, but what if something happens to her Children before she gets the Pup in to Classes. Children are the first Priority here. I don't suggest putting the Dog down, because there are many people who don't have Kids, that would love have a good Dog. The thing that concerns me, is that the Dog had an open mouth on her 4 year old's head. Who's to say in this economy, that Daisy even has the money for a Trainer. I'm not blasting you Animalluvr, but let's be realistic here where young Children are involved.

 

[daisy]

I don't have kids. However, I do have dogs.

Dogs pick up on your frustration. They pick up on your anxiety. They pick up on your fears. By not asserting you are in charge, training properly/consistently and by freaking out when the dog goes near your kids, you are promoting these issues. If you aren't the leader of the pack, then your dog will want that role, which promotes more issues.

Plus a puppy needs constant activity/exercise to help release their energy so they can concentrate on being a good dog. You can turn exercise into training. Instead of tossing your dog into the yard, you instead could walk them on a leash for 30 minutes to an hour several times a day. You toss the ball for a while with the dog and make sure to reward each time the ball comes back.

I currently have a female dog who has issues because we let her get by with things early (oh so little and adorable) and we weren't consistent with training between my husband and myself. Once I had a talk with my husband that I wasn't tolerating her attitude anymore and he needed to stop babying her, I was able to instill in her that I was the Alpha, not her, and in the process changed my approach from yelling in frustration to calm assertiveness, she started changing as well. It's not a five minute training and you're done. It has to be all the time. Every day.

If you can't do that kind of training, then you are correct, you need to find another home for your dog.

Don't misunderstand. We are direct, consistent and DEFINITELY authoritative enough. She is very well trained indoors and on a leash. I do not freak out when she goes neat my children, only when she is attempting to bite them in a non-playful manner. The kids know appropriate play with her, and I stand by and watch so that they could get accustomed to playing with her and her accustomed to them disciplining her during play. I step in when necessary but obviously don't leave her alone with the kids...that would be ridiculous at their ages, her age and her size.

For those who asked: she is a mixed breed, adopted from Charles county humane society. we think she's lab and black and tan coonhound. About 65 pounds right now, so she's not small. Don't get me wrong, she is not mean with everyone. I can lift her and put her in the tub, give her a bath, play on the ground with her....she snuggles (or tries) in our laps. Its just with the kids that's the problem.

 

[migtig]

Don't misunderstand. We are direct, consistent and DEFINITELY authoritative enough. She is very well trained indoors and on a leash. I do not freak out when she goes neat my children, only when she is attempting to bite them in a non-playful manner. The kids know appropriate play with her, and I stand by and watch so that they could get accustomed to playing with her and her accustomed to them disciplining her during play. I step in when necessary but obviously don't leave her alone with the kids...that would be ridiculous at their ages, her age and her size.

For those who asked: she is a mixed breed, adopted from Charles county humane society. we think she's lab and black and tan coonhound. About 65 pounds right now, so she's not small. Don't get me wrong, she is not mean with everyone. I can lift her and put her in the tub, give her a bath, play on the ground with her....she snuggles (or tries) in our laps. Its just with the kids that's the problem.

Since you are doing everything right, and you don't want the dog, just get rid of it.
However, since you adopted, you probably signed an agreement with the CC Humane Society saying you need to surrender the animal to them rather than try to adopt it out on your own. Just drive it up there today.

 

[ICit]

Since you are doing everything right, and you don't want the dog, just get rid of it.
However, since you adopted, you probably signed an agreement with the CC Humane Society saying you need to surrender the animal to them rather than try to adopt it out on your own. Just drive it up there today.

this is very true... you did sign an agreement... so the dog should go back to them.

and also they would need to know if you had registered the micro chip in your name.


as the PM i sent you stated... it does sound like prey drive play .. and even more not that i see what type of breed it is.

.... just call CCHS and explain it to them.

 

[daisy]

MigTig:

"MigTig"

This is not a "We don't want the dog" situation. That is completely inaccurate.

I simply listed for you the ways we HAVE trained her, so I could illustrate for you that we are NOT careless dog owners and we are NOT expecting an untrained dog to ACT trained.

 

[migtig]

"MigTig"

This is not a "We don't want the dog" situation. That is completely inaccurate.

I simply listed for you the ways we HAVE trained her, so I could illustrate for you that we are NOT careless dog owners and we are NOT expecting an untrained dog to ACT trained.

DAISY

There are only TWO options available to you.

1) Increased training. Accepting that you are at fault as well as the dog and doing additional training. Which means all the time. Your dog is a puppy. Puppies have issues. They need constant training and exercise and supervision. All the time. ALL the time. And if you aren't training and exercising, then the puppy needs to be confined to a crate. You said the animal doesn't listen to you to come in, yet you say you have a perfectly trained dog. Which is it?

2) Surrender the dog to the CCHS.

If you cannot control the animal, then surrender it. There is no shame in that. At least it's still young and stands a chance at another adoption. I'd rather do that, then wait until some real harm is caused. Like Icit said, if this dog is prey driven, it sees your small children as prey.

You make your own choice, but there is no reason to get snotty when the options are given to you.

 

[migtig]

Do some research on some training efforts to curtail high prey drive dogs. Here's an article that gives you an idea...
Dog Owner's Guide: Living with the high prey drive dog

 

[migtig]

And here's what Ceser says:

Problem of the Month: Prey Drive | Cesar Millan

 

[daisy]

Thanks for the links with advice, it does look like we're going to try to go the trainer/retrain route. And as far as the not coming inside when its time to be done playing, that is the issue we are having that we have been trying to curb lately (and the one I think that she is frustrated with us about).

 

[ICit]

DAISY

There are only TWO options available to you.

1) Increased training. Accepting that you are at fault as well as the dog and doing additional training. Which means all the time. Your dog is a puppy. Puppies have issues. They need constant training and exercise and supervision. All the time. ALL the time. And if you aren't training and exercising, then the puppy needs to be confined to a crate. You said the animal doesn't listen to you to come in, yet you say you have a perfectly trained dog. Which is it?

2) Surrender the dog to the CCHS.

If you cannot control the animal, then surrender it. There is no shame in that. At least it's still young and stands a chance at another adoption. I'd rather do that, then wait until some real harm is caused. Like Icit said, if this dog is prey driven, it sees your small children as prey.

You make your own choice, but there is no reason to get snotty when the options are given to you.

BUT ... as the puppy is prey driven.... its not her fault. Nor is it the puppys....

I have been in touch and did recommend the correct trainer for this job... I chose this person due the extensive background of working with high prey/play drive dogs. And also this person is well versed in all aspects of K9 behaviors.

I do feel she will follow thru with this trainer as it did seem she really loves the dog.


This is my point to all that say they want a GSD, Bloodhound, MOST any hounds, and Labs..... these are working dogs and really need a strong owner and one that understands the breed and the needs they must have.

I feel this puppy is not "aggressive".... as it does what any high drive dog will do and chase kids that scream and make high pitched sounds and run around.


I have kids in my neighborhood that will do this the second they see my dogs.... this takes them from calm and cool... to CHASE THEM DOWN and catch them ... this happens in less than a second!!!