I have a 8 month old cockapoo (okay, not a cool big dog like most of you have ) but a friendly family pet. He has been very forgiving and easy going with all 3 of my kids (3, 6 and 7 years old) and very obedient with me. However, 2 times this month the dog has growled/yelped angrily at my 6 year old son. Today the dog had one of my sons small toys in his mouth so my son approached the dog to "drop" the toy and the dog growled and sounded like he was about to fight for the toy. I grabbed him (the dog, not my kid) by the scruff of his neck (he is only about 12 pounds) and gave him a firm "NO" and put him into his crate while I checked my son and thought about what to do. I do not want this to continue into something worse and it sounds like a rank issue that he has with my son. He has NEVER done this to the rest of us including my 3 year old who I have caught sitting on the dog (yikes) and he immediately complies with my son if I am present (I am always close by but not always in the same room). I have firmly instructed my kids to never approach the dog when he has a "prize" and to never try to take anything away from him. That is my job as pack leader. How do I teach the dog to respect ALL members of my family as higher ranking pack members? I really want the Pack Structure/Family Pet DVD but don't have the money for it yet....can I get some advice in the meanwhile so we can work on this issue with my son?
Thank you for any help!!

When you say he has been very forgiving makes me think he is starting to stand up for himself.

So many people with small kids have dogs that nip because parents have not protected the DOG. There should be better rules in place. I come frome a family of 6 kids. 8 yrs from youngest to oldest. We would never sit on a dog.

Maybe this does not aply to you but SO SO many people get the dog for the kids and give no thought to the boundries being set.

Melanie,
Without going into step by step it is close to impossible to relate how to make all family members above the dog and may well be beyond what can be accomplished via the internet type of communication. If your willing to go many days and perhaps weeks of hits and misses, trails and errors, and on your part obsolute true and honest feed back back to our questions then we may be able to get you on the right path. It will be a path only, you will still want the DVD. It should be a must come with every puppy bought and sold.
The shortest answer to your questions is going to be the proscribed Pack Structure for your pet. The longer answer is; if YOU are going make every member of the family above the dog, then any interaction between the dog and others must be supervised by you. The dog doesn't see the 3 year old as a threat to it's position, the 6 year old however is pushy and demands. If the 6 year old is going to be above the dog you're going to have to be there always or teach the child how to speak to and interact with the dog. I can teach dogs, but don't ask me how to teach a 6 year old child.
Find the money for the DVD, it's money in the bank.


If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Thanks everyone. I will aim to get the pack structure for family pet dvd as soon as I can, and I will supervise always with the kids, which means I guess that the dog will spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Of course I do not allow the sitting on the dog, just mentioned it because the dog has never seemed irritated with the other kids. I am teaching my kids strict boundaries with the dog, this dog is mine and they are learning how to live nicely with him. I hope it is a good experience for us all, dog included. Thank you so much for your help.

Melanie, while you're waiting for the Pack Structure DVD, watch the streaming video on the same page: http://www.leerburg.com/308.htm

It's more than 20 minutes long and will give you foundational education about pack structure and you'll get a good idea of what's happening between your dog and your kids. Your question will be answered within the first 7 minutes.

I'm glad you're teaching your kids how to behave with and respect a dog. The dog shouldn't have to stand up for itself. There's no way a dog can do that without using its teeth.

This reminds me of a dog my Mum had when I was a wee brat.......she was a sheltie named Princess and I had rank issues with her as well. I was jealous of the dog but Mum's rule was always 'if you get bit you were asking for it' and I have to say she was right. Mind you there were 7 of us and this was the first small dog we'd ever had.....that dog bit me plenty of times, every single time was provoked and it didn't take long for ME to learn the rules of the pack....animals are to be respected. Period.
I'm sure things are different today and as I've never had kids I've nothing useful to add to this thread.....interesting.
That was the only dog we had while I was growing up that ever bit me......I think she did a good job of training me!

I teach my son to respect the dogs and give them their space, but also how to love them and to play with them so that accidents wont happen.
He has been scratched and bit by the cats on a couple of occasions for annoying them by twiddling their paws or tail and he learned quickly what they like and dont like!

I showed my kids Ed's video of the puppies on establishing pack structure (thanks for the link Sandy!) so they could get a dog's perspective and understand what I'm trying to do. I have ordered the dvd's (pack structure and basic obedience, I already have the puppy one) and will follow of the above advice while I wait for it to arrive.

I'm thinking my son could also learn this same approach with his sisters!! Aggravating them might end him in a bad spot too

Thanks!