Any good resources out there for teaching ds to be safe around the puppy?

[GeorgianMumto5]

Puppy is tiny and physically unable to create total mayhem, but he's still a dog and I'm still wary. Ds (7) loves to play with the puppy and train him to perform simple tricks such as sit, but is also inclined to stick his face in the puppy's face, which strikes me as unwise.

This evening ds and I were on the sofa when puppy took a running jump, landed on the sofa and growled at ds. It was a playful growl, but even so, I don't want that dynamic. Ds and I evicted pup from sofa for that.

I think ds views pup as part human and pup sees ds as part litter mate. I'd like to help them both to sort this out and I'd like to start with ds learning about safe behaviour around dogs. He knows not to bother the dog in bed, ever, and is very good about that. He's generally an attentive and eager to please child, but, 'Don't stick your face in the dog's face, he has teeth!' is proving unusually hard to learn.

Are you having any puppy training or do you know a dog trainer?

My DS, 8yrs, has been cuddling our puppy round his neck despite puppy growling at times and me repeatedly saying not to do this.

I mentioned it to our trainer and she was straight over to DS2, to tell him that growling was the first warning sign, the next cuddle could provoke a bite. He could get bitten and really if that happened it would not be the puppies fault as he'd been giving good clear signals. She asked him whose fault would it be? He looked sheepish and I just know that he won't cuddle round the head again.

Anyone like this you could ask to help reinforce the message?

Someone on here once linked to an excellent resource for teaching children. It was a poster style thing and aimed at school age children. Hopefully someone will come on and link to it but I'll google a bit and see if I can find it again.

Try thefamilydog.com or watch the videos on YouTube
Even though he's 7 this is a good one
I speak doggie

How to kiss your dog is good too

I love that, 'I speak doggy' video! Thanks, Honeydragon.

Puppy is hopefully going to lessons in Jan. Classes are all booked up now so I'm going to sign him up for later. I do know someone who could tell him that, yes. Good idea! I'll ask her. Thanks, Mint. Sadly, we do know someone who got bitten by his family's dog. He's scarred and the dog 'went to live on a farm'. I do remind ds of that, but coming from someone else, he may take it in.

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. I know someone who could lecture ds about not bothering the dog and someone else who got bitten - they ate not one and the same.

I must admit, I've always been really strict my children, that dog comes first.

My ds, always approaches any dog including our own, by going to stroke the chest first. It's better for the dog as they are in control and can see your hand.

It's important they and you learn body language, and when the dog us uncomfortable be proactive in changing the situation.

Although I'm still missing a small piece of septum from many years ago, when I was playing/training with the puppy. My keys fell out my pocket and I bent suddenly to pick them up, puppy oth thought I was starting a new game and promptly snapped my nose in excitement blood everywhere. A good example that pups can be unreliable and its best to be thoughtful around them, as even sensible grown ups can make painful mistakes!

This Battersea Dogs Home video is aimed at teaching children to understand what not to do around dogs and why.

Kennel Club Safe and Sound online game.

Link to APBC links for resources for dog/child safety.

www.apbc.org.uk/info/dog_safety_information More APBC info here.]]

Oops, sorry. More APBC info here.

Lots of good stuff here www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/

Starting here www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

Thank you! So far we've watched 'I speak doggy' and it has made an immediate and positive difference. Ds is really listening now and acting on it.

Some brilliant links here, thanks. I have a 4 year old, a newly walking baby and a 'good dog', who deserves to be respected regardless of his 'goodness'. I've never come across these websites before. Very helpful .

Very helpful links on this thread.

I love "I speak Doggie". I think it should be part of the early years curriculum.

Great links here. Perhaps a contender for a sticky, MNHQ? people can add links to excellent advice/ instructional videos as and when.....

Scroll down this page for the young person's guide to woofs and growls and several body language pics (BTW growling is not the first sign - usually averting the head or lip-licking is)
pawsphilippines.weebly.com/behavior-and-training-my-dog-has-bitingaggressive-problems-etc-what-do-i-do.html

Google "The Blue Dog"