Our toy Poodle is fine around my grandkids until they cry, run or screech. She gets excited and last week nipped one of the kids and broke the skin. Can you advise which videos we should start with?

We got our toy poodle from an experienced breeder at 9 weeks in late 2020. Due to COVID, she wasn't well socialized, although she was well behaved (in spite of no formal training). She was exposed to my wife, myself & my 36 year-old son most of the time. I have 2 married daughters, and they now have little kids (1-3 years old). Our dog is generally OK around them, until they cry, screech or run. This excites the dog and until last week wasn't much of a problem. Last week she nipped at a running child and broke the skin. I want to train her, and found your site. I've watched a few of Ed's articles and the videos and realize that what my dog is doing is not a surprise. I used an "all positive" trainer 2 years ago and that was OK, as long as we were in a quiet house. I'd like to start using your training courses and would like a recommendation about which ones I should start with, and in what order. Also, if possible, the reason for the videos and the order. Thank you

Cindy's Answer

Chasing and biting at fast-moving and screaming kids is many dogs' prey-driven behavior. When dogs aren't exposed to these triggers as pups/young dogs it can take you by surprise.

This is the same reason dogs chase blowing leaves, squirrels, cars, bikes, and joggers.

I'd start with basic obedience and come when called because the material covered in those courses is the foundation of everything we expect from our dogs. I've added links to the courses below.

In the meantime, when you have the grandkids around keep her on a leash so you can prevent her from rehearsing this behavior (or use a baby gate or crate to keep her from having access to the kids when they're running around) We do also have a course on managing dogs in the home. We have a multi-dog home so we employ a lot of strategies for living with our dogs until they are fully trained. Otherwise dogs can practice problematic behaviors, and all behaviors become stronger when rehearsed (both good and bad)