Hi,

I am trying to decide how to best handle a dog eating and children.

I have decided to adopt Ed's rule about crating the dog if I can't have my eyes on the dog at all times when he or she is out of the crate. I have also decided to not to leave the dog unattended with my children. That being said, the dilemma I am having is: what to do about feeding time. I am going to teach the "do not bother the dog while he/she is eating" rule.

When we first get the dog should I allow my children (with me there) to be near he dog when he/she is eating? Would this help safeguard them by allowing them to pass by (if necessary) when the dog is eating? Or should I just feed the dog in his/her crate?

Should I use the same technique for a puppy as an adult dog?

What do you think?

 Quote:

Hi,

I am trying to decide how to best handle a dog eating and children.

I have decided to adopt Ed's rule about crating the dog if I can't have my eyes on the dog at all times when he or she is out of the crate. I have also decided to not to leave the dog unattended with my children. That being said, the dilemma I am having is: what to do about feeding time. I am going to teach the "do not bother the dog while he/she is eating" rule.

When we first get the dog should I allow my children (with me there) to be near he dog when he/she is eating? Would this help safeguard them by allowing them to pass by (if necessary) when the dog is eating? Or should I just feed the dog in his/her crate?

Should I use the same technique for a puppy as an adult dog?

What do you think?

Where is the crate located relative to the kids when the dog eats? And do you have issues with the dog and the kids now?

Woody,

I do not have a dog, yet. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am trying to plan how we are going to live with the dog BEFORE the dog arrives. I know I can't plan everything. I am trying to think of "basic" things that will arise when the dog gets here.

So, the answer to your question is no. I do not have problems with kids and dogs now. I just don't WANT that situation to arise where the dog is eating and they walk by and....

I haven't quite decided WHERE to put the crate. I am more than likely going to by a crate and practice with the children. you know they say: "Practice makes perfect." It also (allegedly) takes thirty days for something to become a habit. I am trying to be prepared. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Carolyn, It's good to plan ahead for your new dog or pup! Don't over analyze though. Remember, like every child is an individual, so is every dog or pup. Much luck with your dog.

 Quote:

Woody,

I do not have a dog, yet. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am trying to plan how we are going to live with the dog BEFORE the dog arrives. I know I can't plan everything. I am trying to think of "basic" things that will arise when the dog gets here.

So, the answer to your question is no. I do not have problems with kids and dogs now. I just don't WANT that situation to arise where the dog is eating and they walk by and....

I haven't quite decided WHERE to put the crate. I am more than likely going to by a crate and practice with the children. you know they say: "Practice makes perfect." It also (allegedly) takes thirty days for something to become a habit. I am trying to be prepared. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yep, good idea. I am a beginner as well. We had the house set up before the dog arrived. Baby gates were already up for my two small kids, and invaluable for letting the puppy observe us and reinforce pack order. The dog crates in full view of the family's activites (kitchen crate in the day). My dog has always eaten with toddlers running by it, it's pretty desensitized to them. I dont' let the kids interact with the dog while it's eating, although in my case, it's not a problem...the dog tends to view them as good sources of mac and cheese, crackers, pasta, and other crap I don't feed her and seeks out armpits and bellies and other places where food lodges and grows on them.

You might want to follow the guidelines for food-handling, spitting, feeding them from hand, etc. I still do all that stuff from time to time.

Feeding a dog in a crate also helps with the "crate is a tolerable place" aspect of your dog's experience.

What kind of dog and what kinds of goals do you have for it?

Woody,
I will be getting a German Shepherd. It is the only dog I have ever wanted. I have seen other "nice breeds" but I don' t have the respect and admiration for those other breeds like I do with the German Shepherd.

 Quote:

You might want to follow the guidelines for food-handling, spitting, feeding them from hand, etc. I still do all that stuff from time to time.

I am assuming you mean Ed's philosphy. I don't remember anything regarding spitting. Please enlighten me.
How old is your dog? Have your children ever tried to pet or be around when your dog eats? Or have they understood from the beginning that he/she is to be left alone when eating?

Beth,

You are correct. I just want everything to be as smooth as possible. I am the dog lover/expert in my household. My husband likes cats <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />!
I did not realize what a bad rap GSD's get until recently. The looks of horror I get when I mention the German Shepherd are baffling to me. It also seems that everyone has a chase or bite story. I guess I am erring on the side of caution.

The information shared on this board is always good. I figured a few instances of "This is what I do.." would help me come up with something.

Caroly, if this is your first dog, or first GSD, make sure you research breeders extensively. I would also recommend you not get one from working lines as the dog could easily be too much for a novice to handle correctly. Unfortunately, GSDs have been the victims of popularity but if you're careful in who you get your dog from and if you raise it with appropriate rules and discipline, just like your children, you should end up with a wonderful dog.

As far as feeding, unless there's a problem or you find you can't supervise carefully, I'd feed outside the crate in order to be able to (1) teach the dog that people, including children, coming near it's food bowl is not always a bad thing, and (2) to teach the children to not bother the dog when eating. But play it by ear and do whatever's best for everyone in your situation once you get your pup.

GSD's being herding dogs do have a tendency to bite (usually just what we call a nip) but so do other herding breeds. Best thing is to make it a rule for everyone that the dog is not permited to bite/nip people even in play.

I'm assuming here that the dog is going to be a pet and not trained for schutzhund. Make sure you obedience train your GSD and I would get at least a CGC (Canine Good Citizen)or CD (Companion Dog, first level obedience) certificate or both. That way you'll have something to show that your dog is well-trained.

Sorry about that, Carolyn, my computer went haywire during my corrections and additions to my previous post. Spitting in the food is part of NILIF (nothing in life is free), a program which teaches the dog who is above him in the pack. You have the dog obey a command before s/he gets anything. Since Alphas always eat first, spitting in the dog's food replicates this (it puts your scent in the food as if you've eaten some). <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Carolyn,

Wow, some of the things posted on here bowl me over sometimes. Not arguing with their importance or validity, just commenting how many things some dogs owners have to go thru on a daily basis.

I have a 17 month old showline male GSD who is nothing short of perfect. His temperment is outstanding in every category - interaction with other animals (dogs, cats, ferrets), the elderly, babies, food, toys, bones, the list is endless.

Whatever anyone on this board tells you to do, I'd consider it all but know that your dog will be as individual as you are and chances are, you probably won't need to do all that is recommended.

IMO, GSDs are in a class by themselves. Good choice and good luck <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> !