Comments on: Keeping children safe around dogs

By: Dog Trainer Doggy Dan

Dog Trainer Doggy Dan — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 23:42:26 +0000

Hi Ketie,
Supervising children when they are with dogs and puppies is my key recommendation so that you can help your 4yo understand how to behave appropriately towards your puppy. I do recognise that close supervision is not always possible and so the next best option is to separate the two until a time where you can supervise. Puppies growl for many reasons…they may growl when playing and it can have a very different motivation than being aggressive. Puppies can also growl as a warning to try and stop whatever interaction is happening, especially if they feel threatened, scared or are being hurt. I’m a really big advocate of not punishing a dog for growling, in most circumstances, as this is a key piece of communication about how they are feeling that you don’t want to lose! Rather, when a dog growls look at the scenario from their perspective so that you can get a better understanding of the interactions that may challenge them. You always want them to feel safe around your child and so intervening when things are getting a bit too excited or intense is really important in setting up the right behaviours from both your child and your puppy. That may mean that you place your puppy in their crate or pen for a little chill-out time until things have calmed down. Best, Doggy Dan

By: Ketie van der Wateren

Ketie van der Wateren — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 08:24:14 +0000

Hi Dan,
We have a 10 wk old puppy and I noticed her growl at my almost 4 yr old this morning. I have caught him a few times hurting her by accident where he was bit too excitable. We’ve been teaching him about how to touch her, about what she likes and doesn’t like and when to leave her but he’s a boisterous little boy. We don’t leave him on his own with her but obviously don’t have eyes in our back…what would you recommend we do when she growls when he hasn’t hurt her?
Thank you!
Ketie

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:51:10 +0000

In reply to Laura Chevrette. Thanks Laura...appreciate it :)

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:50:54 +0000

In reply to Jo Newton. Thanks Jo lovely to meet you also...Good to hear that things are moving in the right direction on the dog front :)

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:50:52 +0000

In reply to Jj White. Hi Jj, what I have found which is very much how it works in the wild is that the pack leader dog is the one that will be more likely to discipline dogs stepping out of line. It is kind of complex to explain in a few sentences however when a dog sees themselves as the boss then they decide who is in the wrong and corrects. When a dog corrects then they tend to do it with a bite.

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:50:50 +0000

In reply to Grace Duran. Thanks Grace, no I agree most humans are great :)

By: Laura Chevrette

Laura Chevrette — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:55:20 +0000

great safety tips for dogs n kids.

By: Grace Duran

Grace Duran — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 01:17:41 +0000

Winderfull to watch.not all humans are bad LoL

By: Jj White

Jj White — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 22:47:49 +0000

I'm going to take some time to 'digest' the first sentence on the Tolerance' paragraph. My 'unqualified' take on the matter is that a dog lower in the pack lacks the self confidence that the pack leader has, and is therefore more apt to feel his standing is being threatened and will act accordingly. Good points on the over confident child…

By: Jo Newton

Jo Newton — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:52:15 +0000

In reply to Jo Newton.

I've been watching Doggie Dan's videos on dog training and can highly recommend them. They are fabulous and well worth the look! They certainly have answered a number of questions regarding situations I've experienced with my dog over the past few months. And… given us great ways to alter this too…

By: Jo Newton

Jo Newton — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:50:18 +0000

This answers a few questions for us which is great! – thanks Doggie Dan! Great to meet you in Auckland recently – Jo 🙂

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 17:24:44 +0000

It is the parents responsibility to teach their children to respect animals-they are not toys they are living creatures.No matter how sweet or tolerant a dog a child should not be allowed to sit on,pull on or do things that we as humans would not like done to us.People should not yell at a dog who growls when something like this is done as this is their way to say hey I do not like that.It is a sad fact that dogs get blamed for alot that is not their fault because they cannot defend themselves.I do agree every dog should have an area where they can go and not be bothered “their” space to get away.

By: Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:06:40 +0000

You are more than welcome Gayle, thanks for the feedback, your dog looks lovely 🙂

By: Gayle Button

Gayle Button — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:49:01 +0000

Great reading, thank you! Shared.