The new Puppy and the kids?

[RCT]

Well, my kids love the new puppy and have never been afraid of dogs, but because Max is still only 8 weeks old he tends to chew and bite on us....which I hate to say scares the living daylights out of my son who is 5 and my daughter isn't afraid of him, but when he grabs her leg she runs which makes Max feel he should chase her and get her...LOL....ds isn't as terrified and will try to sit and pet him, but then thinks that Max doesn't like him because he bites and chews on him.....anyone have any suggestions of helping my kids and myself cope with our new puppy?

Thanks in advance, It really isn't as bad as it sounds just frustrating....

[MK]

Even though my cat (10 years old and still frisky as ever)is declawed in front, he still has razor sharp teeth and hind claws. His favorite game is to pretend my arm is his prey and try to rip it off. Needless to say, he gets quite rough and even draws blood. So... I cut off a pant leg from a discarded pair of jeans, turned it inside out, tied a knot in one end, turned it right side out, and voila! A kitty resistant sleeve. If I don't feel like having a bunch of holes punched in my arm, I wear that denim sleeve, and it works real well. Kitty likes it too. You may be able at this early stage in the game to train puppy to only chew on that sleeve, on not on bare skin. It's worth a try, anyway. You could even use the bare arm to pet with at the same time as keeping the sleeve (or some other acceptable chew toy) available for him to chew on while he's getting petted.

[AnnW]

Puppies need to chew, so make sure you have tons of chew toys (nylabones are the best..not rawhide..they can choke). When the puppy chews on something (your kids!) that he shouldn't, have the victim shreiked loudly NO (they do this among themselves when they are in the litter to show they are mad), and then hand them the chew toy to chew and say "here chew this.... good dog". Keep doing it over and over..also walk away and leave the puppy alone when he does something wrong..say "no" and then leave. Dogs are pack animals and your new puppy is trying to find his room in the pack. You need to show that you are your kids are "alpha" dogs (the leaders) and he is subserviant. Tell your dd that running just makes the dog think it's time to play, so have her say no and walk calmly. Do you have a good trainer in your area to work with on obedience? It is worth every penny that you can pay. Good luck.

[RCT]

he does seem to be getting a little better about the chewing each day, its just so annoying...LOL...

[Diane]

Originally posted by AnnW
Puppies need to chew, so make sure you have tons of chew toys (nylabones are the best..not rawhide..they can choke). When the puppy chews on something (your kids!) that he shouldn't, have the victim shreiked loudly NO (they do this among themselves when they are in the litter to show they are mad), and then hand them the chew toy to chew and say "here chew this.... good dog". Keep doing it over and over..also walk away and leave the puppy alone when he does something wrong..say "no" and then leave. Dogs are pack animals and your new puppy is trying to find his room in the pack. You need to show that you are your kids are "alpha" dogs (the leaders) and he is subserviant. Tell your dd that running just makes the dog think it's time to play, so have her say no and walk calmly. Do you have a good trainer in your area to work with on obedience? It is worth every penny that you can pay. Good luck.


I agree with Ann... if you have a trainer in your area to work with on obedience, that will do the trick. I had a friend who had a puppy that chewed on EVERYTHING! She came home one day to find one of her new dining room table chairs leaning over crooked on 3-1/2 legs. Puppy had chewed half of the leg off, along with many pairs of shoes, her children's toys... She found an obedience school and you wouldn't believe the change! You wouldn't know it's the same dog. I agree... well worth every penny that you pay! Good luck! I hope you can find something that works. ;)

[Melody]

I know this is going to sound mean but it is a good thing to do with a puppy because it is just what the pup's mother would do. The breeders have recommended it to us as well. Give Max's snout a squeeze. If you don't hear a little yipe or squeel, you didn't do it hard enough. I don't mean to grab hold and really hurt him, but just squeeze enough for him to understand. Also, when you see him chewing on something he isn't supposed to, say no and immediatley give him something he is allowed to chew on. Puppies like to chew and they don't care what they chew on. Hope that helps and good luck.

[KarlaB]

I have also heard of people giving puppies socks to chew on, but this isn't a good idea because the puppy won't know which socks are okay to chew and which aren't, so good socks could end up ruined.