Thanks for all the input. I never thought that the dog might actually associate the stim from the e-collar to be coming from the kids - scary but a lesson better learned in a conversation than in practice!

Currently, I do not allow the kids to play with the dog, although he is in the house with them, but never unsupervised. I was attempting to bridge this gap so one day he could be outside while the kids played in the yard, but it appears that this is either not possible nor desirable with a dog starting his PD training.

It appears that the best solution for me will be to keep them separate, monitor interaction and teach the dog to ignore the kids. Looks like I will need a pet dog for the kids, as they have a difficult time understanding why they cannot play with a puppy who loves to play.

-Al

LOL, my kids have an English Setter.

Could be worse Al . My ex is getting them a CAT!

Jim,

Now that is funny!

-Al

There's no reason the dog can't be outside when the kids are playing as long as the *kids* are old enough/responsible enough to know that when the dog starts to get frisky and "up", they need to STOP playing with each other and sternly tell the dog NO.

To be honest the same situation can play out with a dog of ANY breed. My Springer did the same thing when I was a kid and would playfully nip when I was with my friends. There is no doubt in my mind that my Sheltie puppy would do the same thing your Rottie is doing -- just on a smaller, fuzzier scale.

These kids are going to have to learn that they can't play in such a fashion when ANY dog is around... no screaming, no hitting, no running, no shrieking. It is not just for PPD dogs... it is for ALL dogs.

As an aside, I was at my boyfriend's house several months ago with my ESS, who, obviously, has no protection training. My boyfriend's friend jokingly hit him on the arm and the dog went from laying quietly on the couch to full-blown loud warning barks directed at this friend, telling him in no uncertain terms to not hit him again! So people of -all- ages sometimes need to be reminded there is a certain way to act around -any- dog...

Ok so we are talking about a PPD right? Sorry Katherine but a *real* PPD should not be allowed to play with the kids in the back yard even if they are old enough or responsible. We have to remember what Will says about PPD's. They are not particularly social or friendly, and even if you are supervising an attack can happen at any moment. This are *real* PPD's.

Now, I don't know how much of a prospect the OP's dog is but I would not let my kids near it. Just my 2 cents...

 Quote: enrique muniz

Now, I don't know how much of a prospect the OP's dog is but I would not let my kids near it. Just my 2 cents...

Or have the kids disciplining a true PPD...