Haha, my mom was kinda like that.

Little dogs were to be pampered, big dogs feared.

I didn't listen to her. I learned how to respect animals, part from my dad's logic, "you get bit, it's your fault" and one of my teachers in elementary, who wasn't my regular teacher.. but one I had from 4-6th grade. I don't know how to explain it better than that.

I kind of wonder how I turned out as I did, but, hey. I'm not, and never was afraid of dogs, but I didn't rush them like a child that needs a leash more than the dog.

If they didn't want to meet me, I would be disappointed, but I wouldn't push it.

It's funny now. My mom is more scared of labs than my dobe since I got Selene. She's pretty mad about her old chihuahua being disobedient, and my puppy listening to almost everything I say.

But she doesn't listen enough to change her ways.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote:

Parents these days are lazy

 Quote:

parents just don't bother educating their kids.

Easy Killer.

Nope. Sorry. And who told you my nickname?

Lucky Guess.

 Quote: kristel smart

I heard all manner of commotion going on behind me, and when I looked over my shoulder I see this same woman being dragged down the road by her smallish (50lbs?) but fat, fluffy dog. When she saw me look, she hollered out as loud as she could "I HATE YOUR F****** DOG" Murphy and I just kept walking...what else could we do?

Kristel, I giggled out loud reading this, To bad you couldn't pass her the link to Mr Frawley's article on how to fit a prong collar! Sounds like she really needs it! That plus a dog treadmill and a bar of soap to wash her mouth out!

Now I'm back to this threads topic ..

I've been really lucky that my 5 year old's kindergarten teacher let's us attend on school grounds for pick up and drop off my children and the children we babysit. I have my dog on a prong and she just sits at heel as the children parade by and we walk home with sometimes 5 kids taking turns walking the dog it has been really helpful to socialize her with kids.

On a side note my dog a Malinois has started protection, bite work training for Shutzhund last week and I am pretty amazed by my dog's sheer enjoyment of working with a talented helper, she is 1 year on the 27th.

Now she has always had a strong strong prey drive with toys etc. When she was a younger pup 2 - 4 mos she would constantly harrass my 3 year old boy, it was like watching a mini me police dog takedown in minature, we'd correct her then give her something else more appropriate for a pup to play with then, or just kept her on a long line. I understand what drove her to do that it was just regular puppy shenanigans. She seemed to forget that behaviour until now.

It seems since she has started the bitework now when the boys may be dancing around the house or jumping on the bed she has started nipping merrily away at them that's been only the last couple of days. Always when I am out of sight, it seems like she is trying to herd them it is nothing malicious for now. But I need to end this now before it gets worse.

Any ideas?

 Quote: geoff empey

On a side note my dog a Malinois has started protection, bite work training for Shutzhund last week and I am pretty amazed by my dog's sheer enjoyment of working with a talented helper, she is 1 year on the 27th. .... It seems since she has started the bitework now when the boys may be dancing around the house or jumping on the bed she has started nipping merrily away at them that's been only the last couple of days. Always when I am out of sight, it seems like she is trying to herd them it is nothing malicious for now. But I need to end this now before it gets worse.

Any ideas?

Number one would be not allowing the dog with the kids out of your sight.

I almost said "What do you do when this happens," and then realized that you were not present.

You have to be.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Number one would be not allowing the dog with the kids out of your sight.

I almost said "What do you do when this happens," and then realized that you were not present.

You have to be.

Ok sorry let me clarify, I'm not having my Malinois babysit the kids. Out of sight means out of 'my' sight not out of an adult's sight.

1st Time I noticed this behaviour was this past Sunday the oldest boy was doing the 5 yr old happy dance on the couch and the dog started to nip away at his feet my head was turned and the grandmother noticed it, turned my head and yelled out "shame" and put her into a platz.

2nd time on Monday evening my wife was with them, same type of 5 year old boy zoo out scenario, I was not in the house. My wife is very hands off with the dog and I'm sure the dog doesn't respect her as a leader but same thing the dog stopped right away when verbally corrected .. but I heard all about it when I got home. <groan>

Today the 5 year old decided to play tag with the dog with the babysitter present .. chase the dog have the dog chase me kind of deal .. That's a big red flag for me so I have had a talk with the 5 yr old about that.

But what I'm possibly seeing is a change in her behaviour when the kids do their thing.

Outside of keeping either the kids or the dog under 24/7 room or crate lockdown 'they interact' and that is the way we want it.

We did first of all purchase the pup as a companion dog that will gaurd/watch the family and property. Any of the other Dog Sports we do is secondary to that, and only supposed to enrichen our life with the dog and the dog's life with us.

Mike, I don't think you are an alarmist regarding what Mr. Empey has posted. My thoughts were similiar when I initially read the post.

Mr. Empey, in regards to your question about "any ideas", I am going to second what has been said about never leave your kids and your dog alone. If you, the stated pack leader are not there to supervise (an adult--GRANDMOTHER? and your wife, someone who you've stated your dog does not listen to do not count as supervision). If you are unable to be present with your dog when the kids are being kids, then the dog needs to be in a crate.

If your dog pulls the nipping business in your presence, you correct the dog within inches of it's life. DO you have a dominant dog collar? A prong even? Get on this now because later may be just that, LATER and TOO late.

When my pup was very young, he jumped once on my 3 year old boy. I scruffed him intensely and he did not do it again. Now, he is older and if my son has something "new and interesting" flailing around the house, my pup shows interest and will jump, trying to keep feet off my son...I say no, and he backs off. I pity this dog if he *ever* nips at my son or any other child for that matter.

Geoff,

Be careful. You really need to watch the interaction VERY VERY closely. You will continue to learn every aspect of your dogs temperment if you keep training in Schutzhund. A generalization (and this may not apply to your dog at all) I have heard and even seen in Malinois is that they do not always have a total "off" button and are not always the most clear headed. Since you are handling him in the sport, you will really be the only one qualified to supervise the interaction with the kids. I have learned (and mind you, this is only my first Schutzhund dog so I am no expert) that if you intend to have a family companion that will also be a schutzhund dog it is a rather delicate endeavor. There is lots of give and take in regards to what you expect on the field compared to the home. It absolutely can be done, but you need a very clear headed dog and a vigilant handler to supervise the interaction. Kids first instinct when playing with a dog tends to be to run around and flail al limbs about, which just so happens to mimic prey behavior. Mind you, my 10 month old puppy has been socialized HEAVILY with all people and children of all ages while also working with a helper since she was three months old. So far, so good, but I am the only one that is qualified to supervise her around children 8 and under in my opinion, and she is extremely clear headed and a downright snuggle bunny at home.

 Quote: Geoff Empey

... I was not in the house. My wife is very hands off with the dog and I'm sure the dog doesn't respect her as a leader but same thing the dog stopped right away when verbally corrected .. Today the 5 year old decided to play tag with the dog with the babysitter present .. chase the dog have the dog chase me kind of deal .. That's a big red flag for me so I have had a talk with the 5 yr old about that. ...

Again..... not to jump on you, but I'm as serious as I can be here. YOU have to be present.