We just received the Puppy DVD, 8 weeks to 8 months. Very good and instructional video. We've already started the marker training and it has been great.

We are controlling her environment as suggested and it is solving most of the problem. When she's off leash in her area of the house she might run, but trading for a toy is working great.

But, I have another question. When playing with our kids (11 and 9) she gets worked up and starts nipping at them....when she's excited these nips really become bites and can be quite painful. How should I best address this? I am using the sound 'tsssst' for correction which will get her attention, but only momentarily and then she is back at it. She doesn't listen at all to the kids, and my wife is trying the 'tsssst' sound, but it doesn't really work for her. Do I physically correct her (3 months old), or just put her in her crate?

Just ordered the Obedience video and Family Pack video, so looking forward to getting to some basic obedience training. She is very food driven and has done great with the basic marker training, come (on a leash) and sit/down.

Thanks,

Physically control the situation in the first place is better than either option you mentioned. Have the puppy on a leash and keep the interactions low keyed with the kids. Closely supervise. Even when you allow the play, leave a drag leash on the pup so you can intervene easily. Accompany the sound with physical restraint by the leash. Follow with a simple command the pup should obey before play resumes, like "sit" or "watch me." If nipping always stops the fun, she will have an incentive to be more cautious. Do not let the play sessions drag on for a long time, and especially not if: 1) You will not be closely supervising. 2) The puppy gets too carried away and doesn't sette down with short attention breaks. 3) The kids get too carried away. and 4) Pup or kids show signs of tiredness. Then put pup in crate.

Much of the time you are home you can have the pup tethered to you when you are not closely supervising instead of either in the crate or being loose and unsupervised.

Put the kids on a leash.
They're old enough to know better and/or old enough to take the consequences of winding the puppy up.
The kids should either learn how to handle the dog properly, or leave the dog alone.

 Quote: randy allen

Put the kids on a leash.
They're old enough to know better and/or old enough to take the consequences of winding the puppy up.
The kids should either learn how to handle the dog properly, or leave the dog alone.

Yes, sir.

My one year old knows, "Leave the dog alone."

My job to protect the dog from unwanted kid harassment, and my job to protect my son from an annoyed or hyperactive dog. Just don't let it happen.

Sounds like you are doing good in starting to control the dogs environment. Let that leak over into how it interacts with the kids. This goofy puppy stuff really doesn't last long when you look back on it. It is just a short matter of time until the dog learns how to control itself, what is allowed, and what isn't.

What and how are the kids playing with her Cam?

 Quote: michael_wise

... Sounds like you are doing good in starting to control the dogs environment. Let that leak over into how it interacts with the kids. This goofy puppy stuff really doesn't last long when you look back on it. It is just a short matter of time until the dog learns how to control itself, what is allowed, and what isn't.

'Zackly.

At three months, the puppy is still at the age when her environment is controlled carefully to set her up for success. That indeed "leaks over into" kid interaction.

The puppy is in the crate, on a leash, or closely supervised. Playing with young kids would fall under #3. Then you are in control of the excitement level.