Tips for keeping your puppy safe from energetic young children?

It is important to first see a veterinarian to rule out medical causes, and to see if medical therapy is indicated for Charlie’s behaviour if she has bitten people before. It is also very important to seek the advice of a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques, or a veterinary behaviorist, to help curb this behavior. Without training Charlie may indeed cause seruious harm to your boyfriend’s niece or other children. Hopefully she will improve with training and learn what is and is not acceptable behaviour. I would advise keeping her away from children until you have the chance to work with a trainer or behaviourist, and as with any dog, do not leave her unattended around children even after training. See the following link for more tips http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47 Visit https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/behavioral-help-your-pet for information on how to find behaviour help near you. Ideally you should work directly with a board certified veterinary behaviourist, as they are the experts in the field, and have resources and training available that make them the most likely to be able to help Charlie. See the following link for more information http://www.dacvb.org/resources/for-the-public/ .

Bella's behavior suggests that she is fearful of children. Some dogs simply don't like interacting with kids - kids smell different, they move differently, they sound different, and for some dogs (especially those who weren't exposed to a variety of kids when they were puppies) this can be scary. Since her behavior started with hiding and growling, I suspect the loud vocalization she has been doing when they try to touch her chest is a fear response rather than pain. When her initial signals (hiding, avoidance, growling) aren't working to communicate that she wants to be left alone, she has to escalate the signals (the loud yelp) when they touch her, which she is perceiving as a threat. There are ways to help her become more comfortable around children, but you must do so very carefully, because so far she has used very clear signals of being frightened - but she hasn't yet (from the sound of it) resorted to biting, and any dog will bite if they feel they have to, if their previous methods of communication (hiding, growling, avoiding, vocalizing) aren't getting the message across. Only let calm, mature kids try interacting with Bella. Let them offer her a treat - but don't force it. If she chooses to hide or avoid them, they should let her be. Trying to show her positive associations with kids is the best way to get her a bit more comfortable. Honestly, though, most adult dogs who are fearful of children simply need to be provided with a safe way to be allowed to avoid kids. Give her a "safe place" (such as a kennel, or a bed in the corner) and reward her for going there, and instruct ALL children that they aren't to follow her there. Some dogs aren't relaxed unless they are actually completely removed, and are more comfortable being put in a quiet room while kids are around. This might be the best way to protect both her AND the kids. She is telling you that she's fearful and uncomfortable around kids - so if kids are around, she may be much happier being put in a safe quiet place in the house. Hope this helps.

A crate or crate training is never a bad idea. It can also serve as a safe place for Bella (as you have stated). It doesn't need to be huge either, just big enough for her to lay down, turn around and stand. Make sure there are no sharp edges and that the bars are close enough together so she cannot get her head between them.

I would recommend acclimatizing them to their travel crate daily and start on a calming supplement or royal canin food 10-14days before travel and continue for at least 10-14days after. No dog should be expected to tolerate kicking or pulling of tails or ears and it is important to teach children safety and respectful handling of dogs. Crate the dogs unless directly supervised when young children are present

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would keep Kingston on a leash at all times. The first time the kids meet him have him in a crate. Prep them to speak softly, not to scream or work him up so he jumps or barks. Then introduce him to one child at a time out of the crate. Puppies sleep a lot. Do it after he has played hard so he’s sleepy. Always have him on a leash. Always try to keep the kids calm with quiet voices as to not startle him or rile him up. Keep him on a leash controlled by an adult until they seem to have accepted him. Also be sure to take him to basic training. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In my experience these situations will become worse if not handled correctly. I recommend taking Rosie to your vet to discuss behavior training. There is a lot you and your family can do to prevent it getting worse but you may need to talk with a specialist. Your vet can help you find someone in your area but I recommend setting this up soon. Good luck and kisses to Rosie!

Lots of questions! Good for you wanting to make the world a better place for dogs :) Always be willing to learn! Keep an open mind and soak up all the knowledge you can. The dogs will thank you for that. OK. Staying home alone is something that needs to be build up over time. If you are 3-4 hours and she is behaving and quiet and relaxed you're on the right track! Just keep building by adding 10-15 minute increments each time. My rule for kennel is their age in months plus 1=how many hours they should be able to be kenneled (after working up to it), to the max of 8 hours. Any longer than that and they need a break. Loose leash walking can be taught easiest on a harness. You can use treats or toys to encourage them to stay close to your side and focus on you. If they get pulling to hard I stop, wait till they look at me then take a step backward. This usually invites them into you, and they quit pulling. They also didn't gain any forward momentum, so they didn't accomplish anything by pulling. Keep working on this and the pulling should lessen. If you're in public and she is pulling, there is probably too much excitement and its overwhelming. Try giving more space and add distance between you and all the people. If she is bowing when she meets dogs, its usually a play bow or invitation to play. I would try to sign up for some puppy classes or find a group of friendly dogs to play with. Socializing is important for our dogs, just as much as us. And lastly, the grass. Keep her on a leash and simply restrict her access to people's lawns. Shorten the leash up when passing by and if you have to, pick up your pace walking. She will come right along with you. Of course, you can start her walk after she relieves herself at home and then hopefully she won't have to go again on her walk.