DS upset by puppy

[pleasecaffeinateme]

I didn't really know where to put this cause it's partly parenting but partly being a dog owner.

We have a puppy, 14 weeks nearly. We also have a DS who is 2 in October.

Our DS is quite sensitive, he gets really upset when the puppy cries or barks etc.

So when we're eating, we hold the puppy's collar/put him in his crate/put him in the garden so he doesn't eat DS food that he drops/throws. Puppy then cries so DS gets upset and won't eat. He's just completely refused to eat his dinner. I hate the thought of him being hungry, though he did eat a yoghurt.

Any suggestions? It's so frustrating!

This isnt going to be very helpful but i would never, ever have a puppy and a toddler at the same time, it's a recipe for disaster, especially with a sensitive child.

I think you should return the puppy and try again when your DS is 7 or 8.

We trained our dog not to cross the line between dining room and living room as she was a really greedy puppy.
If she stayed quiet and sat still she got a treat. As a puppy we started with a treat every 20 seconds (tiny ones) that she sat across the line and was quiet. We lengthened the time she had to wait for a treat and stay there quietly. She’s 3 now and won’t cross the line into the dining room of anyone is eating and will wait until the end for a treat (a biscuit). We now only give a treat after the occasional meal to reinforce.

May not be the right way but we had a 2 year old at the time with the same issue.

Really @Bitchinkitchen?
@pleasecaffeinateme Can pup be occupied with a kong whilst you eat to keep him quiet?

Put them in different rooms.
One of you take the puppy out in the garden and play with it whilst your DS eats?
But a puppy and a “sensitive” small child? It was never a great idea was it.

Mistake to get a puppy with such a young child.

I am doing the same as @samster45 our puppy is 11 weeks and does not go into the kitchen or downstairs bathrooms at all. It was the first thing we taught her. She's really good and just lies there. I think she uses the door thresholds as her marker.

Can you try and distract the puppy?

For example, try feeding him at the same time as you eat, or pop him in his bed or crate with a carrot or stuffed kong. Or, if your DS is eating alone, one of you could take the puppy into another room for play or training or something?

Mine is 2.5 now and knows a "bed" command but it has taken a while to properly ingrain it into him (he is a greedy breed though!).

Good luck - it can be done but it just needs patience.

I had a labrador puppy and a two year old many years ago. It wasn't easy but I wouldn't say that you should return the puppy.

Maybe give puppy a kong, or have a house line on it so that you can train it to sit or just lie down under the table.

Agree with others. Give it a kong , snuffle Mat or lick mat. All these will keep them busy while ur eating. It really is just time and patience. It’s not the puppies fault. And if u distress it by closing it away you may not be helping with anxiety when u leave them alone on their own

Yes @Alexandernevermind really! I have known so many families who thought it was a great idea to mix puppies and toddlers and literally every single one of them regretted it. You need an older child or an older dog.

Thanks for all the tips, we will try these and hopefully things improve.

In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best idea to get a puppy with a toddler but he's fine with family and friend's dogs but I guess it's different when it's your own.

Your son sounds so caring.

You could also try scatter feeding the puppy. So when your son is eating throw some kibble (if he is fed kibble or other food it you prefer) on the floor or on the grass. This hopefully will take as long as your toddler to eat his food.

People may disagree with this but we let the dogs lick out the yogurt pots. We hold tight onto the pot when they do this. Ask puppy to go to the crate and reward with licking the yoghurt. This may also encourage your toddler to eat his food so the puppy can have his lick of the pot? (suggest you hold the pot!)

Also, the puppy is the best floor cleaner ever. I really missed my dogs cleaning skills after he was gone.

Puppies are a nightmare at first but they do settle down very quickly. In a few months time things will be much better. Sorry I haven’t really got any practical advice but I just wanted to reassure you.

OP, you will get there. There are some good suggestions upthread.

Puppy and toddler: we got our first puppy with a baby who was almost a year and a DC of 3 and a half. Hard work, yes definitely. Disaster, no. The puppy did not end up brilliantly trained (that was partly my inexperience with puppies) but ended up a cheerful, kid-tolerant, well-socialised little critter.

She and the DC had many happy years together.

Thanks for all the comments. We've had a better day today, he stayed in his bed while I said stay and gave him treats. I think yesterday was just a bad day for everyone🥴As much as it would be easier to just give up and rehome him, we're not going to. I know the puppy stage is hard but it's short so I'm just looking forward to when he's fully grown!

Thats good to hear. We got our puppy in September, DS is 11 and he struggled at first. They take up so much time and attention and they’re just not what you imagine! They’re cute but they’re arse holes! We’ve found the good stuffs come later.

Rehoming your ds is a bit drastic op.
Remember op nobody on mn advocates rehoming a dpuppy...