Fantastic new puppy, but DS is still very scared around him

[Onamincepiebreak]

Hi all,
A week ago we have was given marvellous little Labradoodle boy, he's a big boy and such a good dog (apart from this morning when he raided the kitchen bin!) we weren't planning on getting a dog, but was offered him and on a whim brought him home. I am totally in love with him (I'm not what I would call a dog person and never thought I would get so attached) as are my DDs.

The only problem I have (he is 10weeks old and only has the occasional accident) is DS, he is 5 and has always wanted a dog, but is very scared around the dogs he knows, just tries to get away from them. So thought a cute fluff ball would also help him be less scared.
The puppy is so good, not too playful although he mouthes and jumps up at the little ones when over excited. It doesn't help the the puppy is almost as tall as him when on his back legs! And he has a deep bark that he only uses when playing and not being given attention.

DS tries to pat him, but tends to jolt him hands up as soon as pups face goes near him which pup then tries to Chase. DS also runs away from he puppy screaming and crying and jumps on tables and backs of chairs to get away from him DD2 (19 months old) isn't scared at all, she just pushes him off when he jumps all over her, and pup seems to understand she doesn't like it.

So the poor pup is in his play pen more than he should be when DS is around

I really want them to be buddies and the puppy is not going anywhere, and can't be shut away most of the day, so how should I handle it?

I've never owned a puppy before, so am worried that everything I'm doing is wrong

[SeriouslyStrongCheddar]

Perhaps get DS involved with some clicker training for puppy? Might help puppy learn to listen to DS and build confidence in DS when he sees puppy listening?

Caveat: I'm not yet a dog owner so may be spouting utter rubbish!

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

Any child who comes into our house is told the same thing - be a tree. i.e cross your arms over your chest and stand up tall. The pup then leaves them alone as they are not as exciting as the kids' mothers who are generally flapping their arms around and shrieking with excitement :)

My kids were 6, 3 and 1.5 BTW when pup joined our family last year. Hope it gets better soon.

[Blackpuddingbertha]

Snap! DD1 was seriously dog phobic for years which we worked on to a point. Then we got puppy (also labradoodle) which she was very excited about; but the first month was horrible. Puppy scared her when bouncy and bitey. Teach him to be a tree as shouty has said. Stand still, arms crossed and turn away from the dog; don't shriek and don't run. Puppy will learn. We also made sure there were places in the house where DD could go where the puppy couldn't - in our case, the playroom and upstairs.

Our pup is now 6 months old and DD1 is a different child. She adores the dog and is very hands on with her. She is also now brilliant with all other dogs too. Be patient; it will get better.

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

It will get better I promise. The key to getting your ds confidence is training. We have a mad bouncy staffy and a couple of the local kids were a bit off put at first, once I taught them the basic commands and they realised that they could control her behaviour if it got too much for them they are much more confident now. She is very well trained and will come across the garden at full pelt, but if you hold up a hand to her she stops dead and drops into lie down.

[ijustwant8hours]

Hi, my ds(6) and dd(3) were both terrified of our pup. They are getting better though and have spells now where the three of them play together really really nicely. It was like a game of tiggy of the ground here and tbh can still be at times (pup is 16 weeks).

Teaching them how to train the dog has really helped. If armed with treats they do sit, down, stay and come and then when everyone has settled down that progresses into some game or other.

My dd is better than DS but I think that is because she is at home with him more.