Hi all,
I have a 10 week old boxer puppy and a 5 year old son.My son seems to have settled down a bit with him and isn't frightened by the biting at all(he's even bit his willy!!).My problem is when he has friends around.The older ones are fine but the very young ones are a bit more of a problem.I have been keeping him on the lead with the youngest children as he tends to lunge at them and jump on them but I don't know if this is making it worse as he sees anything being kept away from him as more exiting!
I supervise all the contact with any children but would apreciate any advice.I realy want to get it right as he will be around children of all ages for many years to come.I am sure he still sees them as litter mates!!I know children can get pups over excited but the child he is the most lively with is my 2 year old nephew who has autism and takes no notice of him whatsoever!!I think he sees him as a challenge.
I know there are no hard and fast rules and common sense and supervision are essential but has anyone any good tips??many thanks,
Hazel

Hi,
I think rather than putting him on the lead when he does this (which could make lead trainingharder!!) I would put the puppy in a playpen when the children come round. Puppies do tend to treat children as they would other puppies, because children are much more exciting than adults. They are nearer the puppy in size, so are less scary, and they have exciting high-pitched voices and darting movements, all of which a puppy finds irresistible!

If the puppy is in a playpen he can bounce around in excitement, but not get too close, so will slowly learn to stay calmer when the children are around.

Hope this helps.
:)

Thanks JG,
I had a feeling the lead wasn't the best way to go.He can go out from Sunday so I don't want to disrupt the lead training at this stage!I have something I was going to use like a playpen if necesary so that's my afternoon sorted,thanks again,
Hazel