Hi again.

Any idea how to stop my 19week old White GSD from getting too excited around children?? As soon as he see's a small child running around or even if he hears them talking he trys running after them but apart from just scaring the poor children to death (because he isnt a small pup) we take him to see family sometimes and there is a 5yr old boy there. We tell him not to run around in front of the pup at the mo because it gets him very excited but even if he doesnt run the pup still jumps up at him and trys nipping and barks. Now I know he only wants to play but some of his nips do hurt sometimes, luckily he hasnt hurt the kid so far (touch wood).
Any ideas what to do pls? We have tried keeping him in his pen while the kid is around but we cant do that all the time.

Thx Zoe

Hi - it is a tricky one -especially with other peoples kids - our dobe just wanted to play but children were frightened - maybe keep him on a lead ( the dog not the boy lol ) and praise him for nice behaviour ,or ask the boy to do sit and paw etc with the dog - keeps them both occupied and gives the child command over the dog . Pups like kids -they squeak and run persevre and it will come
Liz :)

This is a common problem, because puppies love the way children have high-pitched voices, make strange noises, and have darting movements. And of course, are nearer the pup in stature, so aren't as intimidating as adult humans can be! It's all just too exciting!

As your pup matures and becomes more sensible he won't find these things as tempting (just as adult humans don't usually find children's games interesting!). In the meantime I suggest you carry on carefully supervising him with children, and if you see he's starting to get too excited then pen him (pup or child!!) or remove him from the scene.
:)

Hi Zoe

I know exactly what you are going through. Both my White GSD's did this, one still does to a certain extent and he is 7 months old. The only way I found around it, apart from putting him in his cage, was to try and teach the children not to run or scream around when the dog is near them. This has worked, but you can still see that he wants to play with them. No quick fix solution I am afraid, just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one!!

Becky

Hi.

I'm sure someone will correct me if they disagree with this.

Basically, when a puppy is in a litter and they all romp and play together, nipping is part of the play. The way that they tell each other that enough is enough is to let out a loud yelp. The pup then knows to stop.

I would encourage the 5yo to spend more time with your pup if you can, and when the pup nips him, he yelps loudly (not a shout, a high pitched yelp). I've done this in the past and the puppy will probably stop straight away, in shock as much as anything else, but should then start to learn.

If you do the same thing when your pup nips you, he'll learn that you don't like it and that it's not acceptable.

I'd also add, that teaching children not to run around your pup is something that I can understand, but if your pup is going to be exercised off the lead at any point in the future, he must also know how to deal with running screeching children, and know that it's not ok to chase them and nip them. To that end, I'd sometimes borrow a couple of kids when you go for a walk and get them to run and play, to help teach the dog how to behave e.g. let him play ball games with them but teach him to come back and be on his lead and then to leave.

Easier said than done but much better for your pup to be socialised with children than to be kept away from them.

HTH
Jo

Unfortunately young children often don't make a noise when a dog/puppy hurts them :(, and I have found this with my own children and their friends. By all means encourage them to make the yelping sound but please be aware that often they don't make any sound at all. You will have to be vigilant with the children and the pup and guide them, then, as they grow up together they will learn to be kind to each other. :) :)