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Puppy question
Okay we got a puppy about a month ago. I know a lot of you guys have pets so please help me. The question I have is every time my 2 year old picks him up he snaps at him. Well today he actually bit him right on the face drawing blood and everything. How do you get a puppy to not do that? I don't know what to do. But today was the last straw I can't have him biting my son every time he wants to hold him. You know kids and they all love to hold puppy's. They love the puppy and want to keep him but I just can't have him biting like that! So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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06-29-2009 09:11 AM
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Well, for starters, what kind of pup is it?
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He is a Boy Boston terrier Puppy and is about 3 months old.
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Well, no offense, but when your 2 yr old goes to hold him, does he just walk up and grab him? or is he squeezing him? Also 2 yr olds are very loud and very active, and sometimes that spooks the pup and that can cause him to snap and or bite. Also if your son pulls on his ears, tail, whiskers, pinches, hits etc, it could cause the dog to do that. I am not saying your son did that, but almost every 2 yr old I know does that, especially if the parents arent watching the whole time. Not saying thats the case.
I would get down on the floor with puppy and kid and show him exactly how to pet puppy and hold him. If the pup starts to snap, tell him now, and if neccassary grab his snout and hold it.
If ya ain't careful, this flea will bite your arse!
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My personal opinion...puppys and toddlers rarely get along. They are both babies and neither one of them knows how to be around the other. The puppy is probably snapping because your 2-year old is hurting him or scaring him in some way.
I think the question should not be as much how to keep the puppy from snapping when your toddler picks him up as how to keep your toddler FROM picking him up.
Unless you are prepared to keep them separate until both can be trained...this is a disaster waiting to happen.
Never argue with an idiot. It will bring you down to his level and he’ll win because of experience.
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Originally Posted by
Kelsey1224
My personal opinion...puppys and toddlers rarely get along. They are both babies and neither one of them knows how to be around the other. The puppy is probably snapping because your 2-year old is hurting him or scaring him in some way.
I think the question should not be as much how to keep the puppy from snapping when your toddler picks him up as how to keep your toddler FROM picking him up.
Unless you are prepared to keep them separate until both can be trained...this is a disaster waiting to happen.
I agree wholeheartedly with this. If he is only snapping/biting your child, your child must be hurting him, or has hurt him in the past, and the poor dog is just warning the child so he doesnt get hurt again. It is ok for your son to pet the pup, but IMHO, I would NEVER let a toddler pick up any pet, dog, cat you name it until they understand the correct way to do it.
Also, Bostons are high energy dogs. Not always the best around little kids who dont know the correct way to pick them up.
Last edited by Quaker_Parrots; 06-29-2009 at 10:55 AM.
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Yep, I agree too pups and toddlers usually do not mix well.
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I'm not that familiar with the breed and did a little on-line research. All of the sites I visited spoke about how good they are with children and that they are a recommended dog for families. So, obviously you did a good job in picking the right breed for your family. However, I did find the following:
Are they good with children?
Yes. If they are raised with a child, they will usually become that child's protector and babysitter. Just remember, children have to be taught how to handle a young puppy.
Would a puppy or an adult dog be better?
This depends on a lot of different things. For young children, I would have to recommand an older puppy or grown dog. One that can get away from the children, if the dog will be left alone with the children for any length of time. Many times, an elderly person would rather have an older dog -- one that does not require as much physical activity, etc. Remember, think about this before you add a dog to your household. How much time you have to spend with this dog or puppy? Are you willing to take the time to housetrain? Are your children ready to help handle the responsibility for a pet? Can you handle the extra expense of a dog?
So...I guess the answer is more that you need to be training your son about handling the puppy more than training the puppy. I agree with your statement about kids and they all love to hold puppies...but when you take an animal into your home, you also have a responsibility to protect that animal. Just as you wouldn't allow a 2-year old to handle a sharp knife, you also need to train your son how to interact with the puppy. And, if it means that he doesn't get to pick up the puppy, then so be it.
In the end, I'm sure your goal is for your son and puppy to be best buddies. You don't want your son to have a fear of dogs and you don't want this puppy to become nervous and anxious around children. Good luck!
Never argue with an idiot. It will bring you down to his level and he’ll win because of experience.
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We have a rule in our house. If it bites its gone. It may not be the best rule but my childs safety isn't going to be jeopardized because of a dog. I am such a worry wort that I couldn't stand it. We have been very very fortunate with the 3 dogs that we have. They have accepted Gracie from day one. We are very watchful when she is around them. She has been taught to be "nice" to the dogs. As much as I love them if they snapped at Gracie they would be gone. It took a long long time it seems to teach Gracie what she can and can't do to the dogs. I think our dogs are so good with her, not only because they aren't mean at all, but also because they are grown dogs.
I do wish you the best. I am sure you love the puppy. I am in no way suggesting you rid of the puppy. Just telling you the way it is in our house. Good luck.
The more you complain, the longer God makes you live.
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Originally Posted by
Kelsey1224
My personal opinion...puppys and toddlers rarely get along. They are both babies and neither one of them knows how to be around the other. The puppy is probably snapping because your 2-year old is hurting him or scaring him in some way.
I think the question should not be as much how to keep the puppy from snapping when your toddler picks him up as how to keep your toddler FROM picking him up.
Unless you are prepared to keep them separate until both can be trained...this is a disaster waiting to happen.
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bostons are very mouthy dogs with a TON of energy, make sure he has hard chew toys and has plenty of time each day to RUN around
my parents have one and she likes to be mouthy, not bite, but it does happen
if we let her run in the yard she is usually fine and then chews her toys
she loves kids though and shakes whenever there is one around she can play with
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