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Puppy only barks at my kids

2 replies

Whataloadofhorsefeathers · 20/05/2021 19:39

Posting here for traffic.

I have 2 children ages 11 and 3 and last week we brought a puppy she's now 9 weeks old, she's been amazing for the most part, toilet trained (mostly),very chill and just a happy puppy BUT she is constantly barking at my children and ONLY my children, my youngest is scared of her because of it, when she starts trying to jump up him and barking at him he legs it behind me sobbing, I do separate them when this happens and I explain that she sees him as another puppy and wants to play but that's become futile he's weary and scared now. My 11 year old gets backed into a corner by her when she's barking at him and jumping up and trying to nip him so again I separate them. It's only the children she does this with no one and nothing else!! For what it's worth she will have her tail wagging the entire time, doesn't snarl or growl, I don't know if she's being aggressive/fearful/wanting to play.

Anyone have any ideas? Tips?

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 20/05/2021 19:48

At 9 weeks, she is not housetrained (you are just getting your timings right), and she has no way of knowing how she should behave to illicit attention and play - so she behaves as a puppy will with other dogs/puppies - bouncing, jumping up, barking and biting.

This will be made worse if she is frustrated, not sleeping properly, over tired, under tired, when she starts teething etc etc.

Use a room divider to split your living room so she can be one side with you, kids the other side.

Work on training her to sit or give eye contact for attention/fuss.

Ensure she sleeps well by having her crate in your room or bed beside your bed, this will speed up toilet training and you'll have a much better idea of how she is coping with life (tough times = needy puppy, easy times = confident independent puppy) - their confidence comes and goes over the first year or so, so don't be in a rush to move her to sleeping by herself any time soon.

Once thats in place you can then let the kids be with her when you are there to supervise and manage both her and their behaviour, rewarding her for doing the right things (once you have taught them!), managing and redirecting and avoiding her doing the wrong things.

Explain to the children she is a baby, she does not know how to communicate properly and she won't for a while, they have to be patient and follow instructions.

Puppy first months are tough going and particularly for kids who almost certainly believed a puppy would be a cute cuddly friend straight away and are horrified at this barky jumpy bitey monster who frightens them and does not listen. You have to manage their expectations, as well as your puppies needs/behaviour/training.

HappydaysArehere · 20/05/2021 19:51

Sound as if she sees the children as playmates. Have you tried getting the children to throw a ball behind her or dangle a toy or play tug with something. What happens if you pick her up and sit her on your lap would the children stroke her? All you can do is distract her when she starts barking. Are the children standing when these antics occur. What about them sitting down and perhaps offering a treat and talking quietly. Perhaps the 11 year old could do this. What a nuisance for you but it is really early days and the puppy is at odds with trying to settle into her new situation. Do hope it all settles down very soon.

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