Please teach me to teach my child!

[JanewaysBun]

Hello all
My Dsis has just brought home a puppy. I'll be seeing her in a few weeks with my 2yo and 1yo who are both OBSESSED with dogs.

My best friend has an absolutely bomb proof older dog that doesn't care how it is petted but I know not all dogs are like this.

What can I tell my DC to practise the right kind of behaviour. Just the back or head and back?

I know the basics, no creeping up behind, chasing, bothering when eating, taking toys, getting in way of food and drink. It's more how to play when she (ddog) wants to.

They also know a MAD spaniel who they are a bit wary of.

I'm not an experienced dog-interator so any tips welcome!

Given that your children are so young, the most important thing is that they are never left unsupervised with the dogs. By being right there you can properly manage their interactions, and be sure to remind them to be gentle, calm, etc.

How old is the puppy? Has it been around young kids before?

This is supposed to be a good guide - you might need part 2 "how to de-magnetise a toddler" but it makes more sense if you read from part one.

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

[quote BertieBotts]This is supposed to be a good guide - you might need part 2 "how to de-magnetise a toddler" but it makes more sense if you read from part one.

www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/[/quote]
That's a good article (as is part 2).

Thank you!
The dog has had all its shots so I think around 4 months and has met adults but these are the first kids.

I'm actually really inexperienced with dogs as well so I'm wary that I won't be able to read the dog's signs (I only see the

I will read the above link
My older child is used to the aforementioned super friendly dog and will throw/drop a stick for her but the dog is so so patient I need to be aware that this shouldn't be expected.

For sure will not leave them alone together

I'm a bit nervous myself as the only for I've ever interacted much with is BFF's dog and or a kids I didn't really pet it or anything so need to educate myself on dog behaviour

*pre kids

Puppies are pretty much a different kettle of fish to dogs tbh, they’re just little whirlwinds of teeth and excitement.

I wouldn’t really be expecting any real interaction tbh, it just goes all wrong too quickly with toddlers and puppies and one of them is probably going to get hurt and tantrumy. (D.C. or puppy, could be either)

Thank you!

I would be very careful.

Puppies bite, mouth, jump and scratch. It's very different from being around a calm adult dog who has been trained.

It could be incredibly overwhelming for your children.

There's a good Facebook group called KAD Kids Around Dogs which gives good insights into body language & interactions.
Personally I would keep dog & children apart on visits, let them see & hear each other but definitely no contact or interaction until a few visits later when the novelty/fear has worn off, & you have an idea of what the pups character is like & how confident it is around tiny humans.
Pups can give nasty nips & bruises to anyone.

In terms of a 2 & 1 Yr old playing with a puppy, there's not much that can go well there.
Everyone is too young really. But they have a lot of time ahead of them to play together

Is there a way you can separate so they see each other but don't physically interact? Childgate?

Your puppy will need a safe space - maybe a crate, look up crate training. Your children need to understand that puppy in their safe place must be left alone.
You cannot leave your children and the puppy alone, so think about how you will manage that when you need to leave the room - going to the loo, answering the door etc.
On the plus side, you will have baby gates already which will be useful!

Sorry, I misread that as you were getting a puppy!
How often do you see your sister? Might be easier for a while to keep the puppy apart from the littlies until it's a bit bigger. But you are going to have to always have your wits about you.

They need to be kept away from it. Puppies bite!

I wouldn’t let children/ babies that age near a puppy.
Puppy could hurt them but the children could also really hurt the pup.
I would wait a good while before letting them interact.

Puppies have teeth like needles and they bite. They're not being naughty, they're just learning so I would just hold the puppy and let them stroke him but I wouldn't let them play freely with her; that wouldn't be fair on the puppy or the children - theyre far too young.

Thank you all really appreciated.
The current plan is to meet in a park or garden at first so I think I will let them see each other but from a distance then graduate up to throwing a ball and stroking once it's older.

I know she wants to socialise the dog so I want to help in that way but not put with puppy or child in danger.

Once again really appreciate the advice I'm literally SO clueless (my pet owning experience stopped at hamster!) I will read the link mentioned 're behavioural signs!

@JanewaysBun honestly she doesn’t need your kids to throw a ball to socialise the dog. The best thing for a dog to learn is to leave kids alone. The last thing many kids want is for an excitable dog to bounce over to play or be cuddled!

Ah I see thank you!

Just practising being calm near kids is socialisation...

On a first meeting, if it can be done nice and calmly and fairly quickly, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of a hello gentle stroke.

But I wouldn’t aim for anything more than that - there’s plenty of time to build up to playing as they all get older.

Would it be speaking out of turn to say unless you are bubbles with your sister surely you can only have outside contact cos Covid ...

I’ll get me coat

It’s good that your sister wants to socialise the puppy but if it’s as old as you think it is, the puppy’s socialisation period will have ended before your children meet it.

If I were your sister, I would separate the puppy from your children using a child gate and feed it high value treats or play with it (whatever is rewarding to the puppy) whilst you distract your children by playing with them. I wouldn’t let your children run towards the puppy, even if they are separated by the gate, because that could scare the puppy.

As @Wolfiefan says, I definitely wouldn’t let young children throw balls for dogs unless you want to run the risk of the dog running up to other young children in the hope that they will throw a ball for it.

At 2 and 1, I would not make the puppy the focus of the visit.

@helenluvsrob I mentioned in my post it will be outdoors and not for a while ;)

Ok thank you all, I think I may be wrong as she mentioned meeting before the end of the window. I think I will suggest walking around our park at a distance but "in the presence of" and keep DC distracted by looking at ducks!