Took Satan filly to training class tonight to see if we can teach her to handle Morse better and it was a DISASTER - he was great with me, unmanageable with her and then got so stressed he broke his off lead heel and galloped about barking mad. Trianer reccomends we stick to me and SB walking and training him. How did parents here get their dogs and kids to interact ?

PS NO WAY is she having a Weimeraner as they'd be as obstinate as each other !

Just a thought I "lend" my trained dogs to young handlers at our training classes who cannot handle the family dogs for whatever reason(eg dog needs training, dog is too strong, dog too young, two children one dog) They have trained so many good young handlers over the years I've lost count. One was even allowed to take a JKC(now YKC)test with one handler as she hadn't got her own dog yet. They can learn the techniques on a trained dog & then put them into practice on thier own dog eventually

Even my show dogs train the young handlers who are interested in the breed side

I have always involved Florence in the training and looking after our girls but always under supservision as she although is very good with them but does have lapses of concentration (As do most 11 yr olds) and so forgets sometimes the basic rules eg don't wind the girls up when it is feed time otherwise they end up jumping up and causing a right frenzied feeding time !!
She is getting better and better and also is able to control the girls on the leads but is not yet strong enough when Moose the 2 yr old sees another dog though and so sticks to the oldie Min or MB the nearly one year old a she is a non puller !!

Lucy

My 3 year old is allowed to be as involved as he wants to with the hooligans. He can feed them, play with them and if we go out, he is allowed to hold the lead of one of the older ones (under supervision, and because they respond to my voice commands).

He took the youngster into a young handlers show class, for a laugh, with me standing behind him all the time, and although he couldn't make Ash sit, he did walk him out etc. The audience found it amusing that the smallest child had the biggest dog, but that just encouraged him (he likes an audience!!!).

We have a rule that if I give a command, he is not to interupt or repeat it, but if he gives the command first, I will back it up. I also insist that he uses the correct words and signals.

Now its just time & him growing a bit more.

My 9 year old daughter nows handles my dogs for me at open and champ shows having started out doing JH.I think building a relationship with the dog at home helps so that the dog respects the child so try to encourage her to help at feeding and exercise times etc.Otherwise I put her success down to time and patience and plenty off encouragement from adults.The more confident the child is in their ability to do the job the more the dog is likely to respond.
If the dog is too strong for the child try attaching a second loose lead to start off with so you can correct the dog but he thinks it is the child doing the correcting
Archer

It seems to be get em young - Stinkfoot is 8 and she's brilliant with Morse, keeps the lead loose and uses the right signals etc. Gothboy is fine too and Minibeast. Its Satan Filly - she is so stubborn she wont be told, and she is a bit of a control freak so she likes a tight lead and instant compliance. Ive told her to come with me on walks and training and will try and find a nice owne for her to learn from. Mothers know nothing at her age. Thanks for the encouragement and helpful suggestions. If a 9 year old can handle elkhounds ( big, powerful and exuberant if Im right?) SF can learn to handle a Pointer. The Weim was successfuly rehomed within 30 minutes of becoming available today, so Im spared.

Hi
elkies aren't that big(21" and about 20kg) but are very stong and willful at times.We've just got back from our monthly club match and she showed my youngster like a dream so now she shows both and I'm just a bystander!! .How old is satin filly???.My lad tries to handle but he strings the dogs up and has too tight a lead and I put it down(with him) to being unsure of his ability to control the dog so he stops the dog from having any free lead and then it has to do as he wants.Hes new to it all(month or so) so will just build up his confidence and I'm sure it will come.
Good luck
Archer

We have a very nice young girl at our ringcraft class. She is aged about 4. Her mum will correct if I'm wrong - she's a CD! She handles her rather large dog to perfection, but oh my god the new pup needs a bit of training :D :D :D She has started handling the smaller dogs and does brilliantly. I only wish some of the adults were as good. Start them young before they learn the bad habits if you can, but if not you have to find an adult they will respect. My 21 year old daughter is still frightened of one of the trainers. Well she isn't frightened so much as 'what will she say if...'

Does Mrs Fierce Trainer do home visits?

Thanks for that archer. Satan's Filly is 11 nearly 12 ( IF she mends her ways!) and the tight lead/confidence issue sounds like her. Think real dog training has been a shock to her - all the repetition and being consistent is hard for her and my watching beadily dosent help.

I would try doing some fun training at home to get her confidence up.My daughter still practices at home (in the garden-no distractions) without a lead(just bait).Simple things like 'come' and 'heel' round the garden for a nice bit of chicken can build both confidence and relationship between dog and child.I still put my daughters relationship with the boys down to her being involved in feeding,walking and grooming..my sons don't get involved and the dogs don't respond at all for them.
Good luck Archer

How many children do you have Lorelei?, it sounds like you have your hands full. Love the nicknames!!!

Just the 4, unless SB ( husband) is having an off day then it's 5. Morse is always my honey.:)

Hi - out of interest was that the Weim at Balerno RSPCA?? Is it staying in Edinburgh?

Hi, he was at the Cat and Dog Home as a stray and now he's re-homed.

Love the names!!! :D