I am 7weeks of becoming the proud owner of a Bichon Frise pup, I have done lots of research & checking about temperament mainly because we have 3 small grandchildren I was sure all would be well & the children & dog would be okay, the breeder reasurred me to, she has a family & 4 dogs herself, then today I got chatting to a lady who had a lhas apso I was telling her about the pending pup & she said 'Oh my sister has a Bichon Frise & it is really snappy', well this has really concerned me. HELP what is the opinion of other owners? Pauline

Pauline
dont know anything about Bichon Frise ( sorry) but remember EVERY dog is different and has its own temperament :)
I'm sure your breeder is right - if she has children in the family .
Correct training , socialisation and lots of love will see pup is fine
L
Good luck :)

Hi Lel
Thanks for the comment, I plan to take my pup to dog training & as for socialisation we are a busy household so she will get to see lots of humans. Isnt it silly how one comment can make you doubt all your feelings. Pauline

Hi Pauline,
with regards to socialisation , it also includes mixing with other dogs too - this is how they learn doggy etiquette from each other .If you can try to mix with as many different breeds as possible ( large, small, etc)from as young an age as possible
:)
You will be fine - dont worry :D
Lel

Thanks Lel

Hiya Pauline,

Bichons are not my breed, but I agree with Lel, all dogs are different, some can be snappy with children, others can be great. It can depend on a lot of things.

A lot has to do with how your pup is brought up, if he or she is around children from a young age and obviously if the children are not allowed to annoy the pup in any way, you shouldn't have any problems.

Try not to worry....and good luck with the little one!!

Take care

Lisa

Hi Lisa
Thanks for the comments, I agree & I am doing lots of reading at present in preparation for her arrival. Pauline

Pauline - just to re-iterate what has been said. The breeding and the home environment is what influences the temperament of a puppy and then an adult dog. If the puppies have children around them now - then that's the best thing possible.

What I would recommend though is that your grandchildren are supervised when they are with the puppy so that they don't overtire or perhaps hold the puppy in a way that means it has no choice but to snap. Be prepared for the fact that ALL puppies go through a chewing and mouthing stage. Learn now how to handle that. Get your grandchildren around the puppy soon and regularly and you should have no problems.

hth

Pam n the boys

Hi Pam
Thanks for the comments, I agree that the pup must not be to fussed by the children & often the only way a pup or dog can let you know they have had enough is by snapping. I shall be very clear with the children from day one so that everyone, pup included can have fun. I wondered about a pup cage so pup has a 'get away' if it wants one? Pauline

Hi pauline,

My friend has just got a Bichon pup and he is a bit naughty with other dogs (been growling and lifting his lips at them, this was at 9 weeks old.....a bit scary!!) The problem is she is letting him do it, so I think this might be a problem for him, he also growls at them, when they try to make him come by grabbing his collar, but I think I would to, if someone dragged me towards them, so I don't think this is really his fault.

With good upbringing and lots of love and attention, your pup will probably be fine, but do work on the housetraining, cause Bichons can sometimes be a bit naughty about this.

My friends pup is now nearly 12 weeks old and he still pee's in the house, unfortunately she is not stopping him, which is a bit silly!!

Do remember though, please make sure you treat him like any other dog, he may be small but unless he is in danger, don't keep picking him up, because this can and often does make toy dogs snappy with other dogs and people.

Good luck and you will love him, I am sure he will be fine.

manda
X

don't most 12 week old pups still try to wee indoors?

Manda
can I ask why your friend with the 9 week pup is allowing her dog to act in this way , with regard to snarling etc ? It seems very foolish and she will be making trouble for bth herself and her dog , especially when pup is older :(

Going back to the original poster - please always try to be consistent with your dog also . Then your pup will know what is acceptable behaviour and what isnt .There are people who allow pups to "get away" with bad behaviour purely because they are *only babies* or they look cute and therefore feel 'mean' telling them off . But you will do your dog ( and yourself) the world of good being consistent from day one :)
Best wishes
Lel

I don't know the breed personally so i couldn't really comment, however if it bothers you perhaps your best bet would be visiting the parents of your prospective pup, if at all possible. They would be the best indicator of your puppy's temperament.

Hi Lucy
I have seen mum & although she was a bit yappy mainly I thought because she was being protective towards the pups, she was otherwise fine. The breeder said the pups will be around her children whilst she has them & they will be included in everyday life, so hopefully things will be ok, maybe I am worrying over nothing. Pauline

Hi Manda
Seems as though I need to set the boundaries from day one. Pauline

Hi again Pauline,

A crate/cage would definitely be a good idea.

It's a good idea to get your pup used to a crate as soon as possible, and make sure it's a rewarding experience going in there, put a couple of toys in and a treat.

Your pup will soon get used to going in there when he or she wants to get away from things!!

Good luck!

Lisa

I have replied to your question in another post. I have a bichon and she is lovely. She has never snapped at people, even when she has been in pain. She has snapped at boy dogs when they have tried to get a bit 'too friendly', but that is it.
Bichons are VERY lively dogs and will probably wair out the kids!
Personally, I would never use a crate. We looked after a friends Bichon when they went on holiday and it hated being in the crate (it was only young, but had always had the crate). She was perfectly behaved left out of the crate (as is ours).
We took ours out EVERYWHERE with us when we got her in a backpack, so she would get used to all the different sites and sounds and not be affraid.
As another poster said, do not pick it up if there is something scaring it (after it has had it's jabs) as this will just make it worse. Make it face it and it will be fine.
If you would like any more info, feel free to ask. I will be getting another bichon puppy soon too and am very excited.

I have a friend who has a bichon frise dog and she has a lovely temperament. My friend made sure that she was socialised with children from the very start - her own son was 8 when she had the pup, but she also brought it to school every day and allowed much younger children to touch it and smooth it etc. I think it's important to realise that toddlers are different to children, so try to make sure the pup has experience of both.