I was going to ask/post this earlier today, decided not to because I thought I had a game plan but tonight changed my mind.

Vashti is pretty much a totally different pup (7month GSD) with my 15 year old son. They have minimal interaction because she will pester him by biting his feet, barking at him, and muzzle punching him so he doesn't really want much to do with her. I can't decide if she wants to play or is really being that disrespectful?

I was thinking today that their lack of bond (relationship) might have something to do with her behavior so my plan was to get him more involved with her care. She's with me all the time so she is learning how to behave around me and while she does test her limits with me occasionally its nothing compared to her behavior towards him? I've tried to tell him that his "energy" and body language only makes things worse but he just gets mad and frustrated with her. For example, he will back away or put his arms out expecting her to do something before she does it.

Tonight she bit his lip so now I don't know about my so called game plan. He was sitting on the couch and she jumped up beside him and while I was telling him not to wave his hands around she barked and lunged and got his lip.

How do I correct her behavior towards him? Do I give a physical correction if/when distraction doesn't work? Do I get him more involved with her care to help him assert his position over her such as feed her; play time; potty breaks?

I am obviously making some mistakes somewhere and want to correct immediately.

I'd let your son go back to ignoring the dog while you get her obedience in order. You teach her whats acceptable and how to interact with people and that will include your son.

 Quote: steve strom

I'd let your son go back to ignoring the dog while you get her obedience in order. You teach her whats acceptable and how to interact with people and that will include your son.

Steve, what are your thoughts on this pup being on a literal "short leash" while in the house (one with no handle)? Something which would allow for quick control of the dog?

Yeah, you could put a drag line on him if you wanted to. For the most part I just manage the contact. I don't have an actual place for a place command, I just put them where I want and tell them settle. Once they know they're not allowed to get up til they're released, they seem to develop that indifference to people and focus on you.

I used to try and have the kids interact with them, but I just found it easier to train the dogs to behave with everyone the way I want them to, and by not forcing it with the kids, we've ended up with dogs that are happy to have some attention from the kids, but are not so focused on them that I have to worry about the chasing or nipping problems like this.

If I have the long line on her and she does go after him, do I give a correction or just take her to her place? Or do I even pre-empt her getting that close to him?

One other thing...I know she needs more exercise but I have not started taking her on walks because of her age, bone development etc. Would it hurt to take her on a mile or so walk each evening?

I would rather pre-empt. What I want to do is keep them from thinking too much. It becomes natural for them to lay down and not be bothered by people or other things, so they don't react to them.

I wouldnt really walk a mile on concrete, but a relaxed, wandering mile on trails or something, I always do.

 Quote: steve strom

I used to try and have the kids interact with them, but I just found it easier to train the dogs to behave with everyone the way I want them to, and by not forcing it with the kids, we've ended up with dogs that are happy to have some attention from the kids, but are not so focused on them that I have to worry about the chasing or nipping problems like this.

I'm not sure if this will help since your puppy is older than mine, but I thought I would give it a shot and see what everyone else thinks as well. A couple weeks ago I was getting tired of my pup jumping on my children and biting them. Like Steve did I tried having my kids involved. I know she was biting because she is a puppy and that is how they play, but my wife was starting to get angry. I often said, "The dog doesn't bite me." I was at my wits end until I actually started keeping the mindset of a pack leader or momma dog, whatever you want to call it, when the pup was around my kids. I had only trained the dog how to behave with me.

I know it might sound silly, but if you are always looking for the boundaries you need to set and the dog is on a drag line (I call it my caveman remote) you will be super preemptive and the dog picks up on it almost instantly. Correcting from a distance I've found to be a powerful thing. While Jasmine played with my kids she learned exactly the way she was suppose to behave. I didn't let the dog get away with a single thing. We still have some things to work on, but put trust in the drag line.

 Quote: steve strom

I'd let your son go back to ignoring the dog while you get her obedience in order. You teach her whats acceptable and how to interact with people and that will include your son.

I completely agree with having your son go back to ignoring her while you're working on the obedience. I also agree with keeping some sort of line on her so that she can be corrected for inappropriate behavior towards your son. I find that correcting from a distance is a great thing, too.

I'm wondering if his actions/reactions - i.e., waving his arms, etc., are making her think it's some sort of game.