I need advice on how introduce children into my GSD's "family"
In a week or so my GSD is going to meet my fiance's 10 and 16 year old daughters as well as their 2 year old female dog (spayed). My GSD was raised with the breeder's small children (4 and 9 year old boys) until 8 weeks old. He spent most of his "free time" with the youngest boys. The breeders says they went everywhere together and often would fall asleep together while watching TV. I have no children, so since then the only exposure to children has been those with whom I have socialized him with and the boy next door which harases him with stick and whatever he can throw over the fence (the boy is 5). The parent have no control over the boy, the boys does whatever he wants. Rarely does my GSD go out by himself. He will charge the fence if he sees the boy but a recall turns him around or if already at the fence a stern "leave it" will stop him.
I am not too concerned with his introcduction to the older girl, my concern is the 10 year old that weights 17 pound less then him and is not use to such large dogs. My GSD is in no way full proof as far as obedience goes we still have a lot of work. I have some rank problem that we are working out as well. Other issue is that he has a habit of herding any other dog away from me, as well as dominate them (yes did mean herd, just shoving them away if they get near me and then blocking them from getting near me}
He is very use to the girl's mom and they get along very well. I though of perhaps having the 10 year old work with him in basic obediance. The point I want to get across to him is that even though she is much smaller then him he is in no way permitted to dominate her or treat her like sheep.
so basically I need pointer/suggestions on how to make the introduction and assimilate the children as part of his family as well as his introduction to their dog (who is an outdoor only dog). My GSD will be 2 years old in March and a 97 pound dynamo

I will be introducing my GSD next week. Does anyone have any suggestions how to best do this?

I know how *I* would do it, but folks may disagree with me! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would prepare the children ahead of time, and give each of them a pocketfull of your dog's favorite goodies. I'd bring him in on leash and let him sniff and greet, and have the kids feed him goodies. I might suggest that they tell him to sit before they give him any goodies. Good luck!

Oh, and be sure to tell them about things like letting the dog sniff your hand before you try to pet him, and petting the dog under the chin instead of reaching over his head to pat him on the head or neck. The less dominating gestures they use as they are first getting to know him, the less likely he is to feel threatened.

And get your neighbour's kid STOPPED!!!

My GSD is very child aggressive because of the neighbours kids tormenting her.

Whatever it takes - get it stopped now!

Go read the articles I have written on my web site about dogs and kids. You will find them in the list of training articles at http://leerburg.com/articles.htm

well I thought I would post an update
Thanks to you guys and gals as well as Ed's articles things have worked out nicely.
My GSD was introduced to the other dog on neutral turf, both wore muzzles. Meeting was a little stressed but otherwise went fine. Next I let the other dog spend a couple of days in one part of the fenced back yard 9back yard is divided into two fenced sections. Any "fence fighting was corrected. I set him up several times by approaching the other dog and petting her over the fence. Any agression on his part was imediately corrected. Once he settled he too was equalily petted and praised. After a couple of days of this and fence fighting having stopped, I let them play with muzzles on, and long leads/correction collars in the event of having to pull them apart. the next play session, was with muzzles only. After play both were put back into their seperate fenced area. After several more days of this, it appeared as if they have established pack order (I have another dog whom is little and very dog friendly, he accepted the strange dog without a problem), I let the other dog come inside as well but still both wearing muzzles. Now we are at the point that both can play inside without a muzzle (took the other dog's muzzle off first and left the muzzle on the GSD for a session), now both can play inside without muzzle but only with close supervision. The other dog will submit to my GSD male by rolling on her back and letting him sniff her. Next will be to let them play outdoors without muzzle. The other dog is a mixed spayed female about 6 months older then my GSD.
Now as for his behavior with the 10 year old girl, well all I can say is he has been a perfect gentleman with her with one exception in which she layed on her back on the floor and my GSD attempted to pin her down. One stern oral correction was enough to stop him. She had been told to never lay on her back like that now she understands why. Otherwise he playes retrieve with her and will obey commands to platz etc when given by her. He also knows the command "gentle" and will tune it down if she tells him "gentle".
so basically all is working out very well. I am proud of my GSD's behavior and thank all of you for your inputs