Hi everyone!
I was hoping I could get some advice from other parents who also have working breed dogs.
I have been a pet dog trainer for the quite awhile now and currently own:
Odin,n/m,9yr old Boxer/Ridge-back mix: trained old school because it was how i was taught to train dogs

Kali s/f 3yr old Pittbull: trained half old school and half new school

Hero: n/m 8 mo. old Belgain Mal, currently training new school.

Ok, here is the dillema...I have a 4y old son who wasnt around (or old enough) to absorb much of the training of the 2 older adult dogs. Now, hes seeing mommy train "his" dog...and wants to do it.
In a months time he set my training back a bit causing Hero to become somewhat unresponsive:
An example of being unresponsive to his name during the recall.So I had to change his recall to a 2 tone whistle my son cannot emulate.
Now I'm wondering how I can get my son trained to leave Hero alone? LOL a Stim collar? KIDDING!

I do have 3 days a week when my husband is home that I can take Hero outside the home to train.

My First question:
Is it worth it to try and train a sport with him ( i know the dog will really enjoy it as will I!!) if my son keeps causing so much back tracking?

Second question: HOW to I determine which sport to train him in?


Any suggestions are appreciated!

got three kids but they are older now so all are involved with training, but when younger, I generaly did all the training and only let the dog interface with the preschool age kids in the interest of safety. I did notice that my Erika and now Drago somewhat ignore anybody else calling their name.

@Dennis: Thank you for the reply.

I just wanted to clarify, I'm not asking if I should "let" my son train or help with training my puppy, but rather if its possible or ok to train for a sport having such a young child.

They interact great with one another (all my dogs interact great with my kiddo actually)

BTW, I love your avitar!

My first suggestion is to not use the e-collar on your children, no matter how badly you want to.....

They are effective for spouse training however....

"Get'em Flufffy!!!
"And pick up the bird on the way back...."

 Quote: will rambeau

My first suggestion is to not use the e-collar on your children, no matter how badly you want to.....

They are effective for spouse training however....

That was not quite the idea my dear husband had for the new Dogtra I just got, though it did have something to do with "spousal interaction"...I am pretty sure he was joking...I think...

On the original topic, I have seen some really young agility trainers. Being that your pup is a little young to do lots of agility, maybe some obstacles like a tunnel or a little jump would be a way for your child to teach him something un-related to your more formal obedience.

@Melissa: What a great idea!! Have him teach the puppy something unrelated to what I'm doing! DUH....:: facepalm::: Now, why didnt I think of that ??!?!LOL

@Will: awww, I cant use the Stim collar on my kiddo? hah


@ ALL: Ok, now my second question....is it fees-able to train a sport dog when Its unlikely that I will be competing? I feel it would be great for his active body and mind.
However, I'm unsure how to decide on which sport....he's got a great nose, super attentive + active and really food driven...I guess I just described all Mal pups, huh?