Kids and dogs

[Danefied]

The gal I train with and I are working on putting some videos together of common kid/dog issues, and general "good practices".
The following is a good technique for dogs who jump, who are nippy, or if like us you just have a huge dog that people are more likely to freak out over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DNr3VV1tRBQ

We're going to do some outside videos next, more going crazy, and the rubber band recall, is also a fun kid game.

Suggestions are very welcome too! Are there particular issues you trainers deal with often, or do you have an issue you'd like to see covered?

 

[milos_mommy]

I think this is a great idea! I don't have any specific suggestions, but I would love to see you make more...and maybe even try to make some kid-friendly videos that educate kids on how to behave around a jumpy/nippy dog and what to do if a dog growls at them, etc.

 

[Taqroy]

That's awesome! I'm tempted to teach my dogs that since crossing your arms/drawing away is SUCH a universal signal for "EEK don't jump on me!". Very nicely done!

 

[Kat09Tails]

I think there is a need for a kid/dog series that breaks things down.

1)What to do when your expecting. Pretraining and management that will help you after your new bundle of joy arrives.

2) Your baby and your dog newborn - crawler. Appropriate interaction and management.

3) Crawler - Toddler - Appropriate interaction, fear signs, bite prevention, management, starting to teach appropriate behaviors on the kids part

4) Young child through 4 - appropriate handling, management, bite prevention, appropriate interaction on both sides, appropriate dog/kid games for this age group

 

[Danefied]

I think there is a need for a kid/dog series that breaks things down.

1)What to do when your expecting. Pretraining and management that will help you after your new bundle of joy arrives.

2) Your baby and your dog newborn - crawler. Appropriate interaction and management.

3) Crawler - Toddler - Appropriate interaction, fear signs, bite prevention, management, starting to teach appropriate behaviors on the kids part

4) Young child through 4 - appropriate handling, management, bite prevention, appropriate interaction on both sides, appropriate dog/kid games for this age group

Totally agree, this is actually pretty much what we're trying to do, but also with an emphasis on people who are already thinking of getting rid of the dog, trying to come up with easy but effective ways to teach some basics, and what some of those universal commands would be for a dog who lives with kids. Our hope is that once people see its not that hard to teach a few things, they'll be inspired to try more, but you've got to convince them first

 

[AliciaD]

On a side note, when I volunteer at the shelter and a dog is adopted out to a family with kids I tell them that one way they can make it fun is by training the dog to funny commands.

Like instead of "down" teach "splat"
Instead "sit" teach "booty"

The kids seem to love splat, and start repeating it over and over before the dog even has the faintest notion of what a down is, haha.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Totally agree, this is actually pretty much what we're trying to do, but also with an emphasis on people who are already thinking of getting rid of the dog, trying to come up with easy but effective ways to teach some basics, and what some of those universal commands would be for a dog who lives with kids. Our hope is that once people see its not that hard to teach a few things, they'll be inspired to try more, but you've got to convince them first

I think you need to chat with some people who have gotten rid of dogs when they discovered they were pregnant or had a baby to find out why they did it. I think you may be surprised how few were training related and how many more were temperament and management related. I'm not sure how many commands would have saved these dogs from new homes vs simple management tips.

It's not that I don't think learning to train isn't an important thing, it does have far reaching applications but it is not the only thing especially for someone expecting their first kid or wrestling the practical implications of toddler/work/maintaining a household.

 

[milos_mommy]

Kat has an excellent point....most people who give up the dog when they have a baby is due to "we don't have time anymore" or "KEEP THE DOG?!? WHO DOES THAT WHEN THEY HAVE A BABY??" comments from family and friends...But I do also see a TON of dogs returned because they knocked the kids over or nipped at them in play.

 

[Greenmagick]

I think you need to chat with some people who have gotten rid of dogs when they discovered they were pregnant or had a baby to find out why they did it. I think you may be surprised how few were training related and how many more were temperament and management related. I'm not sure how many commands would have saved these dogs from new homes vs simple management tips.

It's not that I don't think learning to train isn't an important thing, it does have far reaching applications but it is not the only thing especially for someone expecting their first kid or wrestling the practical implications of toddler/work/maintaining a household.

There probably is a difference between people who get rid of the dog BEFORE the children arrive and people who do after. I think definitely for those who already have the kids and dogs training is the key issue. Especially for those families who are not dog savvy and decide to add a dog for the children. On the parenting boards I have been on (hanging in the pet section usually lol) most of the people contemplating were having training issues...dogs too excitable, dog knocking over baby and kids, stealing food, jumping, nipping, etc.

When I worked at the kennel the complaints seemed similar. Yes, its often that they are overwhelmed and just dont know how to handle it all, but more often I saw just bad dog manners that were causing things to become that much more overwhelming.

 

[milos_mommy]

I think another good one would be to teach a dog to go lie on a mat and wait, and how to teach them this command so that your child is capable of directing them to do so.

I'd also a mention a dog with structured exercise is far more likely to obey/behave calmly in the house, something most people just don't get.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Kat has an excellent point....most people who give up the dog when they have a baby is due to "we don't have time anymore" or "KEEP THE DOG?!? WHO DOES THAT WHEN THEY HAVE A BABY??" comments from family and friends...But I do also see a TON of dogs returned because they knocked the kids over or nipped at them in play.

Yes, there is a difference. I also know people who have gotten rid of dogs because their dog really didn't like kids or they had a reasonable fear that their dog would bite their squealing screaming 3 year old. In many of these cases the dog would have had a home if the owner simply had permission/advice to manage interactions from the ground up.

I think there also needs to be a healthy dose of reality in dog/children advice. There will be times where you need to err on the side of caution, and with controlling what you can. Kids will be kids, and not every dog is child safe in every situation.

 

[Danefied]

Definitely lots of factors that go in to dogs being given up over kids.
I find that often training suggestions are a bit overwhelming and plain old unrealistic for non dog obsessed people. It can be hard for a dog person to put themselves in the shoes of someone who likes the dog but its a "dog" and not something they're going to put a lot (or any) extra time in to.
Realistic management solutions can make a huge difference, and realistic training expectations for those who will actually take a moment or two to train.

The gal I'm doing this with works closely with the local county shelter, and there are some great dogs out there who with just a few minor tweaks here and there would make perfect family dogs, so some of this demo stuff will be geared towards volunteer dog walkers who also work on basic manners with the dogs.

But we also want to demo things that are accessible to the kind of people who have a dog but who would never contact a dog trainer.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[pitbullfriends]

very well put together. That dog is way bigger than the kid, my dog seems to have a problem listening to my 7 year old which I have been unsuccessful at fixing. She isn't mean to my son or anything they get along great but if my kid tries to give my dog a command she doesn't listen to him.

 

[Danefied]

very well put together. That dog is way bigger than the kid, my dog seems to have a problem listening to my 7 year old which I have been unsuccessful at fixing. She isn't mean to my son or anything they get along great but if my kid tries to give my dog a command she doesn't listen to him.

What kind of interactions do you and your son have? Does your son ever participate in dog care like feeding, walks, training?
What kind of commands is the dog not listening to?
Can you elaborate a bit more?

 

[Maxy24]

very well put together. That dog is way bigger than the kid, my dog seems to have a problem listening to my 7 year old which I have been unsuccessful at fixing. She isn't mean to my son or anything they get along great but if my kid tries to give my dog a command she doesn't listen to him.

Could it be the way he says it? Dogs don't know words really, they just know when that exact sound comes out of your mouth they need to do a certain behavior. If someone's voice is pretty different from yours or he says it in a different way the dog might just not understand. I bring Phoebe to an elementary school and show off her tricks. The kids always like to try and she'll follow some of their commands but if they have an accent or say the command faster or flatter (I put an inflection in my voice when I give commands) than me she just doesn't get it. But on commands where I use hand signals she understands the kids fine (like pointing at the wall for her spread 'em command). So if you can put the commands to easy hand signals that might help, it's easier for a child to change his hand movements than his voice.

Also make sure the child reinforces the dog (treats, play, etc.). If the kid never rewards the dog for listening then there's no reason to listen.

 

[Zoom]

Great video!!

I've run into a lot of people lately who have just casually mentioned they got rid of their dog(s) because the KIDS wouldn't stop tormenting them and they were afraid the dog would one day bite. So I don't know if throwing in something for kids where you can really get them to understand that when Rover gets up and leaves the area or runs away at the first sight of you, to LEAVE THEM ALONE.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Great video!!

I've run into a lot of people lately who have just casually mentioned they got rid of their dog(s) because the KIDS wouldn't stop tormenting them and they were afraid the dog would one day bite. So I don't know if throwing in something for kids where you can really get them to understand that when Rover gets up and leaves the area or runs away at the first sight of you, to LEAVE THEM ALONE.

My Aunt is currently looking for a home/temp home for her chih because her new foster kid delights in torturing the poor dog. Your options are pretty limited as a foster parent so a temporary home was the best option until the kid either transitions home or to a new home.

 

[Sweet72947]

You might check out the site www.dogsandstorks.com and see what kind of stuff they cover. I know they specialize in teaching people how to acclimate dogs to babies and such.