Hi Everyone,

This is my first post as a new puppy owner. I recently got tremendous advice regarding my puppy selection from the board. Thanks.

Tonto is almost 10 weeks old. His parents are Czech line working dogs. He will be a pet quality dog. My breeder was instrumental in choosing a pup that exhibited low prey drive and had a calmer demeanor than her other pups (most of whom went on to owners who will train them in Schutzhund, etc.) He has been quite a gem so far. I can see his calm. He has finally taken to the crate and sleeps nicely through the night there. In the daytime he is either sleeping in his crate or in the gated kitchen area under supervision, or attached via leash to me.

Okay, enough background! Well, except to say that I have a 7 and 8 year old son and daughter. They are good with Tonto, although a bit squeamish when he gets jumpy or wants to play-bite. I taught them to imitate a pup and yelp if he bits them too hard. He's eased up a bit...

Big problem now is when the kids are walking around and he goes after their ankles/legs/pants. I have the kids stopping their movement right now and saying "off!". It's working minimally...for me personally, he is starting to keep off my pants and legs (I am feeling that he respects me maybe since I am his main caregiver/disciplinarian?)

So, any advice for helping to keep him off the kids/pants? He is learning the "sit" command well. I suppose I could have him sit when I see him doing that?

Am I headed in the right direction with my corrections?


Thanks,

Vanessa

What you are seeing is prey drive...chasing & biting. You need to keep the pup on a leash around the kids or crate him if the kids are running around until he is taught what is acceptable behavior. He is just a baby at 10 weeks old. This was discussed in another thread ad nauseam. The thread about the puppy biting a 2 year old.

 Quote: Anne Jones

What you are seeing is prey drive...chasing & biting. You need to keep the pup on a leash around the kids or crate him if the kids are running around until he is taught what is acceptable behavior. He is just a baby at 10 weeks old. This was discussed in another thread ad nauseam. The thread about the puppy biting a 2 year old.

Here's the thread:

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/256253/page/0/fpart/1

Good thread to read, Vanessa.

Thanks Connie, I was just trying to find it.

It is better if you enforce the rules, not your kids. They, being younglings, won't be seen as being in authority by the pup.

And I agree with having the pup on a leash and maintaining control until the pup is mature enough to understand the rules. I am also against kids and pups playing together unsupervised.

Thanks for sharing the post regarding the 2 year old and biting...an interesting read. I appreciate your comments!

Vanessa