I have no experience with Labs. Its been 14years since I have owned a dog. We raised German Shepards growing up. Two of my children have had minor bites. Both bites came from a beagle. My daughter is less afraid of the puppy than my son. I want them to develop a love for dogs rather than fear them. Our Katy is so young that she nips a little and jumps when my son gets home from school. She is doing a great job with her commands. I need some help and direction for my sons fear of her. I am getting frustrated and wondering if I did the right thing by getting him a dog. Its been a week. He's a little better but not much. Should I keep her or find her a new home while she is still young and we are not to attached. Thanks for any help. Colleen

2 weeks wasn't enough time for my nephews to get used to my dog. They are 2 and 5. The 2 year old would have been ok with my dog had the 5 year old not freaked out all the time. When kids freak out and run away waving their arms and jumping on the furniture my dog wants to chase them and nip at them, so now my dog sees kids as hyper neurrotic unpredictable chew toys. They were never bitten by a dog but they had never been around any big dogs.

You know your kids better than anyone else - if you think they can get over it then keep the dog. It's no good to go thru life being scared of something you're bound to encounter so teaching them dogs aren't to be feared now is alot easier than when they're 30.

If the dog is mouthy then squirt water on him when he tries to nip at the kids, it seemed to work well for my friends great dane puppy and her kids. Ofcourse, that dog still thinks of my hand as a chew toy some days lol.

Considering that most labs love water, squirting might be rewarding to the pups. The best thing, besides constant supervision when the pup and kids are interacting, is to teach the kids what to do if the pup acts up as well as how to properly greet dogs so that they are less likely to be bit again in the future.

This may sound a little silly, but Ed has an article about introducing a new dog into a home with an existing dog or cat. You might be able to modify these suggestions a little. I would start by keeping the dog in its crate while the kids interact as they feel comfortable. Then have the children watch from the house as you work with and play with the dog in the yard. I do think that you are doing the right thing by checking in here because the safety, (physical and emotional)of your children must be paramount. Good luck I hope they are able to overcome their fears.
Terry

Hi Colleen, are you saying you got the puppy at 7 wks. and have owned it for 2 wks? so, the puppy is 9 wks. old, and your kids are afraid of it? if that's the case, it doesn't sound like a dog training question, good luck, AL

I have all working dogs, and we got a Golden pup last year so the kids had a dog they could really "own". Of course, owning the working dogs, without even thinking about it at the time I chose the most feisty, dominant pup of the litter LOL He was a nut as a pup, lots of prey/play drive, crazy mouthy, totally retarded.

I am not easy on my pups, and this one was included. It took two days of "A-AH!" everytime the pup jumped on the kids or got mouthy with them. I have to admit, I was not soft on him, but not cruel either, just VERY firm. He knew from day one it was not acceptable. Nagging half hearted 'corrections' (for want of a better word) are useless with a drivey/crazy/mouthy pup, they can be very determined!

In the meantime teach the kids there is no need to be scared, the more retarded the kids act around the pup, the more retarded the pup will act. I always told mine that if the pup came bombing towards them to just stand still and talk to the pup in a calm, quiet voice.

End result, I have a 1yr old Golden, who is still a nutjob, but well mannered and fun to have around.

Sorry for the unclear message. We got her a week ago she was born Aug 26th. We got her early because she was so huge that she was hurting her mom and biting at the dad for food. I know it probably sounds like I am expecting to much from such a young dog. I guess its an issue of training my son and daughter also. My question was basically is it possible that the fear my kids are having will pass with the training of the dog. So that they can see how a well trained animal can be and that the dog that bit them was not the norm. This beagle just used to charge in our yard everytime we would come out to the car and finally bit my son. So his fear comes from the charging at him and the puppy loves to run and play. I just didn't want to spend the time because its been a little over a week and he is still afraid. Thanks for any input.

Yes, I tried the squirt bottle the first day and I gave that up after reading some posts. I have taught my kids never to approach anyones animal. Something I learned very young. With our K-9's. They were bit my a charging dog that would run into our yard. I just want my son to have the benefit an the unconditional love that a great animal can bring. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Mike. Cujo is beautiful. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Like you might have read in another post I wrote, my last dog kind of Alpha rolled my son (5). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Since then, he’s a bit dog shy.

When we got our new puppy Yoda (Chocolate Lab 9 weeks) I made it very clear that every interaction he has with the dog must be done when me or my wife are present.

That said, I had to teach my son how to play/interact with the dog so that he doesn’t channel his prey drive on his legs or hands. The key word here is patience. With your dog but mostly with the kids (you know your kids, with mine have to repeat a bit <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

I never let the dog bite/nip my kid. This is a "no-go" zone with me. If my son runs away and the dog bites him on the hand, I will firmly correct the dog (mostly a NO with a scruff, give my son a toy to re-direct and praise) and then have another discussion with my son about running. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> It took Yoda about 4 sessions to understand (it would be fair to my son to tell you how many sessions it took him<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. But that's me...

You could also always have a leash on her so that you can control her mouvements. She can't bolt towards your son if you have your foot on the leash. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But then again, with the little experience that I have, I could be wrong... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />