Hmm. . . I don't know if I should stop her from playing dress up with the dogs????? A male GSD in a skirt is kinda silly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yes, and a male Great Dane with make-up on is rather silly as well. Not to mention a horse with make-up and going up a teeter totter about to step to the down side, the 6 year old riding bareback with just a halter and a lead rope. Momma was glad she caught that in the nick of time (not me, my friend)!
Back on topic, I have a 2 year old son (to be 3 in 10 days) who likes to try and give stubby commands, but I don't let him because he can be hard to understand. My 6 year old has been taught to use the prong properly and does simple obedience when I am there to supervise. She is not allowed to do it unless I am right there watching because she is not physically able to make him do something were he to refuse. When she gets old enough, I plan on letting her use him for the dog project in 4-H. It was actually really cute when we first got stubby because she would take him for walks and he would hold the leash about 6 inches up so she couldn't jerk his neck, and she would just guide him where she wanted to go. Of course I was with and he had a flat collar on. Both of the kids love to be "victims" when we practise for SAR and the 6 year old has come up with some really interesting scenerios, even for short searches. She's always thinking up ways to try and trick him!

Hi Rho, I think your child participating with you in the dogs OB is a wonderful chance for her to bond with you both. However, you might want to limit her participation to motivational training only. Your dog perceives the child as a littermate. You are the Alpha. All corrections should come through you. I would not want for the dog to try to ascertain pack order with a 6 year old. He should see only good things coming from her.
Having raised five sons, I also understand that a young child might push the envelope too far. Perhaps someday in the future when you are not around to supervise. Labs and Lab mixes are generally loving to all children. But not to a child that it feels threatend by. I would not leave them alone together until you are willing to bet her saftey on it, because that is what you would be doing. I had my first GSD when I was six until I was 24. As a child, I thought he understood everything I said. When he did not listen, I would correct him. I always regretted that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I spent years trying to make it up to him. Let her love the dog and let the dog love her back. Enjoy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wow! Lots of good feedback. My daughter is a little advanced for her age and probably a little bigger than most 6 yo and still outweighs the dog by 20 pounds. But I have been seeing that it is as much a training situation for her as it is for the dog. While she is very good at remembering commands (we are still working on just the basic ones), she does sometimes go too far in trying to "convince" him to do things her way and I have had to chastise her more than once on this.

I do have a crate, but I think I often feel guilty about using it so much. I will leave him in it all day when I am at work or for long stretches when I am working at home and cannot watch him. He definitely doesn't like it and will try his best to avoid it.

We are working with him alot on his sit/stay when we go out or when others visit and it is very comical to watch her try to issue the same correction in the video since her arms are way too short and not very strong. But I always back her up and force him to do as she says. It is very obvious that he sees her as a littermate. And equally obvious that he sees me as alpha. The only time he really pays attention to her is when there is food in her hands. When she feeds him, he is very obedient ( I attribute this training to the prev owners) and waits for her to place in his crate and give the "come" or "okay" command. But if we are going to go for a walk, he will not listen to her or my "sit/stay". However, I have the power to make him obey. I do like the idea of using two leashes.

I guess my next question would be how much time in a crate is harmful. It just does not seem as though he is getting used to the idea and is starting to get reluctant about even going in to eat. Is it feasible to crate him each time I walk out of the room? And, for those with children, what ages did you start leaving your children with the dogs? For short periods of course? I only want a dog that I can trust with my child. Which is why I encourage interaction.

Good questions Rho. Regarding the amount of time spent in the crate, you mention the 8 month old pup being left in the crate all day while you are at work. This is a long time for a pup to not get a break. It would be better if the maximum time where about 4 hours. You also mention feeding him in there too. I'd let him out for that. This is an opportunity to take the food out of the bowl, and put it into training. As for crating each time you leave the room, It depends if you can supervise from the room your in. Only you can judge when it is appropriate to trust the kids and dogs together unsupervised. Since your daughter is already 6, it really depends on the dog. Wait until you trust him without question. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. Actually I usually try to get home for lunch, but only make it about 2-3 times a week. On the weekends, I try to let him out as much as possible and I can definitely see the difference when I do. I had a very "serious" talk with my daughter and explain what she can and cannot do with the dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I don't think she is totally accepting of the concept, but it has really helped her attitude towards him. I am going to try to include her in the training, however, because he seems to totally ignore her except for playing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Interesting enough, I had a friend visit this week and she played with him alot. Even though she is an adult, he just blew her off and didn't think twice about doing anything she said. To him it was just another pup in the house.
Thanks for all the good advice.

A bit late on the response to this but I do agree that a toddler is a whole different story than an older child. What I was trying to get across is that it is important that all children be involved when old enough with the family dog. Our pup now understands the pack order. He knows that all humans big or small go out the door first, we eat first and do everything else first. What I was trying to get across in my feeble way was that the dog must understand where his ranking is in your family and that would be at the bottom. We have had a few less than perfect responses to our young sons loving touch to our pup but never in an aggresive manor. That is why I supervise all interactions with the dog. Like I said before common sense goes along way and prevents undue acciedents <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />