Our puppy jumps on our toddler and hurt him

[granolalight]

We got a pup about 2 weeks ago. He is a collie/lab/heeler mix. We've already started the trianing course at Petsmart and so far he is doing well, seems to be learning some manners and such. He's so sweet and my 9 year old is in love with him.

Trouble is, my 2.5 year old and him are not doing so well together. The dog wants to jump on him, tug at his clothes, steal his lovey (which really sends ds into a tizzy, understandably), and pounce on him when he's on the floor playing with cars or whatever.

I have been trying to teach ds to stand up immediately and say, "No" to the dog, but he usually lays there and whimpers, which of course encourages the dog. What's worse, is that ds won't leave the dog alone, and likes to hug him, bounce (softly) on him, and tease him with toys and his lovey! :

How do I encourage both the dog and the toddler to behave more respectfully toward each other? My toddler has been bit several times, not hard, but it still hurts and it's not cool!

[betsyj]

I am not sure why the dog is being allowed to practice this kind of behavior. The dog needs to be on leash and under your 100% supervision at all times. If not then the dog needs to be crated.

My toddler has been bit several times, not hard, but it still hurts and it's not cool!

When you say bitten what do you mean? The dog nips at your toddler's heels when he runs? Or the dog is nipping at your toddler in other scenarios?

Why is your toddler being allowed to "bounce" on the dog? Why is he being allowed to tease the dog?

This kind of lax environment is setting up the whole relationship to fail. There needs to be WAY more supervision and intervention on your part. Dogs and toddlers are not a match made in heaven frankly. And a dog of this breed mix needs constant redirection-two weeks in your home and already is biting your toddler multiple times? Simply too much freedom too fast.

I am not trying to be mean at all, but there really is a lot wrong and a lot needs to change if you want to keep this dog in your home.

[MsVyky]

How much exercise is this puppy getting? That mix of breeds will require a LOT of walking/running as well as mental stimulation if you want him to be a well behaved dog

A lot of behaviours like that can be quickly changed with more exercise.

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by betsyj

I am not sure why the dog is being allowed to practice this kind of behavior. The dog needs to be on leash and under your 100% supervision at all times. If not then the dog needs to be crated.



When you say bitten what do you mean? The dog nips at your toddler's heels when he runs? Or the dog is nipping at your toddler in other scenarios?

Why is your toddler being allowed to "bounce" on the dog? Why is he being allowed to tease the dog?

This kind of lax environment is setting up the whole relationship to fail. There needs to be WAY more supervision and intervention on your part. Dogs and toddlers are not a match made in heaven frankly. And a dog of this breed mix needs constant redirection-two weeks in your home and already is biting your toddler multiple times? Simply too much freedom too fast.

I am not trying to be mean at all, but there really is a lot wrong and a lot needs to change if you want to keep this dog in your home.

:

The dog is jumping and mouthing your toddler because you are letting him.

[granolalight]

OP here.

They are both supervised ALL the time. I am trying everything I have read and have learned in class. Whenever he bites/mouths any of us we say "no" and give him something he is allowed to chew. We give him a ton of attention when he does the right thing.

He has not really bitten ds. He'll put his mouth around ds's arm, just like he would a toy or shoe or bone. That's what I mean by biting him.

Puppy will be lying on the floor asleep, and ds will move up on him and start petting him/talking to him/straddling him, whatever. We instantly and immediately stop the behavior. It's not like we allow him to literally bounce on the pup! We are instructing ds many times a day on how to behave toward the pup but he is not listening well. In fact, I think he might feel displaced by the pup, and a bit jealous.

Perhaps puppy should be on a leash at all times so that we can step on it when he jumps? You know it happens so quickly though! Sometimes we can't quite get to him in time and ds is already hurt.

What am I supposed to do, separate them until the pup is past puppy stage?

[granolalight]

(OP here again)

Oh and also, as far as exercise, he gets out for several times a day. We have a big yard, we run and play with him. Honestly, though, these sessions are not long. We live in central Texas and it is soooo hot, triple digits pretty much every day.

We try to take him for a walk almost every day but he won't walk on the leash. He just lays flat on the ground and won't budge. He wears the leash inside every day, we practice holding it, walking with him, guiding him, etc. It's all good until we go outside the gate and try to move down the driveway. Then he won't move.

[Healthy_Baby]

not sure if your son's big enough or balanced enough but you might try having him raise his knee up when the pup jumps on him. not kicking the pup but kneeing him off. Along with a firm "no jump".

I would recomend reading up on Caesar Milan's uproach to dogs.

Your pup is trying to figure out where he is in the pack. and if you don't establish it now - he will soon put your son at the bottom and bully him. your son, while young, needs to learn dominance over the pup (with emphasis on Love and Care and respect)

[Healthy_Baby]

Originally Posted by granolalight

(OP here again)
We try to take him for a walk almost every day but he won't walk on the leash. He just lays flat on the ground and won't budge. He wears the leash inside every day, we practice holding it, walking with him, guiding him, etc. It's all good until we go outside the gate and try to move down the driveway. Then he won't move.

that is VERY unusual. how old is the dog? what do the trainers at pet smart say about this issue?

[betsyj]

Eh I'd skip Milan entirely. Lots of other trainers out there that are much better at kid/dog dynamics then he is. He has way too much emphasis on dominance and from here your puppy sounds confused not "dominant." Also, I don't like putting that much pressure on a toddler. You are training the dog not him. Also, little kids lack the physical and timing skills critical to helping a puppy learn what is acceptable.

Finally, do not encourage your toddler to put his knee up-as above he will lack the timing-and it can often serve to simply rev the puppy up. That is the exact opposite of what you want here.

And many puppies won't walk on a leash at first. That is not unusual at all. They simply don't know what to do, so stop and lay down. Try using treats to tempt him and practice in the house as well. He will get it.

I would also recommend "My Smart Puppy" by Sarah Wilson and Brian Kilcommins. It is a great puppy book.

I wanted to add one thing to help your puppy learn not to jump that you can do: Tether the puppy using her leash to a door. Approach puppy. If she starts to jump simply turn your back and step away. Keep doing this and she will get it pretty quickly that pets and treats come when four remain on the floor.

[greenmagick]

OP...I do understand your frustration. My pup is 6 months and I am constantly pulling my 22 month off of her. She is pretty calm and doesnt jump on them, and stopped mouthing pretty quick, so I got lucky there. The above post about teaching greeting behaviors is great...Ivy now sits 8 out of 10 times on her own when greeting people. Now, if I could just get her to calm down around new kids. She loves them so much when friends come over she gets to crazy again, so I put her leash on and if she is still acting up, she gets put up. (she is a great dane so her 6 months is over 80lbs)

I too would say stay away from Milan. He has some good advice about exercise and staying calm and assertive, but his methods, well, leave a lot to be desired.

Is your pup in obedience classes?
Do you put him down for "naps" during the day? That helped when Ivy was younger...when toddler and puppy were just getting to crazy together, dog went in her room for a nap and toddler went with me for some cool down time (and possibly a nap).

[granolalight]

Originally Posted by betsyj

Finally, do not encourage your toddler to put his knee up-as above he will lack the timing-and it can often serve to simply rev the puppy up. That is the exact opposite of what you want here.

I think ds would lack timing and balance to execute this strategy effectively.

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Is your pup in obedience classes?

Yes.

[granolalight]

Originally Posted by betsyj

I would also recommend "My Smart Puppy" by Sarah Wilson and Brian Kilcommins. It is a great puppy book.

I wanted to add one thing to help your puppy learn not to jump that you can do: Tether the puppy using her leash to a door. Approach puppy. If she starts to jump simply turn your back and step away. Keep doing this and she will get it pretty quickly that pets and treats come when four remain on the floor.

I have read "Puppies for Dummies," and like it a lot.

That tethering is a great idea. Thanks.

[Ola_]

Have you read the book "Childproofing your dog"? I would definitely recommend it, it also has a section about "dogproofing your child".

[Healthy_Baby]

Originally Posted by betsyj

And many puppies won't walk on a leash at first. That is not unusual at all. They simply don't know what to do, so stop and lay down.

wow 15 years of raising Labs (my parents breed them) and I've never experienced or heard this issue. perhaps it's more common in other breeds? Milan's approach isn't for everyone - i respect that.

Originally Posted by betsyj

Finally, do not encourage your toddler to put his knee up-as above he will lack the timing-and it can often serve to simply rev the puppy up. That is the exact opposite of what you want here.

Good point. That is a possibility - Though I do feel strongly that the son 2.5 or not should be taught SOME sort of response other then whimpering on the floor.

seems like tricky ages to be dealing with together - but your doing the right thing by not letting it go with out attention! keep learning and find what works for you, DS, and Puppy.

[Sailor]

Well, your dog is being a normal pup. So, that's good news.

Know that a dog won't exercise himself - so you actually have to go out in the yard and exercise him. Fetch is good. Set up a lawn chair, sit yourself down with a cool glass of water, and throw the ball. Fetch 2 times a day for 30 minutes each, and a walk (once he learns to walk on the leash) should be more than enough to tire out a puppy.

At this point, I would keep your toddler away from the dog completely. I know it's hard ... but, it's for the best. Your toddler doesn't know how to approach the dog if he teases him or bounces on him. So, keep them separate completely for now. Until the dog learns manners - there's no point in putting them together. Also, you're never going to make the mouthing or jumping stop if your toddler is approaching the dog in a way that encourages this behavior (bouncing on the dog and teasing encourages bad behavior).

You're sort of raising two toddlers - your child and the dog. So, keep them separate for now.

So, if you're in the room, and your toddler is there, you should leash the dog to you and each time the dog tries to jump or mouth your toddler - correct with a firm no, and redirect to something else, i.e. a toy. Once the dog plays with the toy, praise. Do this consistently, every time. Eventually, your dog will catch on and you won't have to be so vigilant all the time.

I'm also a fan of using NILIF - for everyone in the family. After exercise, if you ask your dog to lay down and stay, this is a good time to teach your toddler how to approach the dog - gently, carefully, with no hugging or bouncing.

Puppyhood just takes time and consistency. You will get through this.

[Nicole915]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I'm also a fan of using NILIF - for everyone in the family. After exercise, if you ask your dog to lay down and stay, this is a good time to teach your toddler how to approach the dog - gently, carefully, with no hugging or bouncing.

Awesome advice, I'd just add that although you said for everyone in the family, I wouldn't have the toddler treating/giving commands to the pup.

[granolalight]

What's NILIF?

[I~love~pie]

Originally Posted by betsyj
And many puppies won't walk on a leash at first. That is not unusual at all. They simply don't know what to do, so stop and lay down.

wow 15 years of raising Labs (my parents breed them) and I've never experienced or heard this issue. perhaps >>>>


My black lab would not walk on a leash at first. It didnt take long after we got her , about 2 weeks, for her to get used to it, but she was really young about 10 weeks.

[Sailor]

Originally Posted by granolalight

What's NILIF?

Nothing In Life Is Free. Basically, you don't give your dog anything - not food, not toys, not petting - until your dog does something for you. So, before you give him food, you ask him to sit or lie down. And then once he does it, you give him food. Same with toys. Same with treats. Same with petting.

This was something that worked wonders with my dog. The more commands he learned, the more complex I'd make things. For instance, in the beginning, I just asked him to sit or lie down. But, after he had mastered this, I would ask him to do a combination of things - sit, lie down, stand, bark, etc.

It was actually really fun for him, and I think he enjoyed the challenge of it. My dog is a GSD, and he really needs to be mentally tired as well as physically. So, this was a great exercise for me to do with him. I don't do it so much any more, but he's 3 years old and knows good doggy manners.