My son really teases my puppy

Hi all, problems,problems, my son keeps on systematically teases out 10 week old puppy, when he is coloring he drops the pens on purpose, he runs around on purpose so the puppy will chase then he jumps on the sofa,and our puppy nips him, or he puts his feet out on purpose and our puppy bites and nips, or when she is in her crate he goes and opens it on purpose..................................my wife is really stressed about this,at one point today she said she coudn't cope anymore.

ps. my son is 4 and he absolutely does not listen, he wants to do everything his way, and this is a real problem because we also have a 6 month daughter to attend to as well, and my wife cant divide her self and she ends up putting our puppy in the crate a lot, because when i work i do long shifts.

It sounds like you have your hands full, but you really shouldn't allow your son to tease the puppy. It's not fair on the puppy and it won't be fair on your son if the game goes too far. Can you not teach your son to respect puppy more and that not everything has to be a game? Also, is puppy able to get out and about for walks yet or has he not had all his shots just yet?

our puppys second vaccination is on the 9th sept. so after that we can go for walks with her, trust me when i am at work and my wife is at home with the pup,my son and daughter its not easy, my wife needs to give more attention to our 6 month daughter, when her guard is down my son who is 4 starts mayhem, its driving my wife mad and its not fair on the pup i know, thats what my wife said as well, my son just doesnt listen and just doesnt do as he is told, he pup probably thinks its all a game and it isnt, really dont know what to do, my wife actually said today that the pup cant stay if things are going to continue lik this even though its not the pups fault, the pup accidently knocked our 6 month over while she was sitting on the floor and she banged her head because the pup was a bit too hyper as my son was teasing and running around

did you thin kyou would train the dog over night?

the dog isnt the problem here, its my son, the dog is perfect when my son isnt around or when he is at nursery, and there are times where they do get along but its much more the moments where they dont and of course it is when im not at home, this is why i really dont know what to do, i dont my wife getting too stressed out and being upset all the time.

Put your son in the crate for time outs lol

Yeah he could do with that.

Id get your wife to monitor this closely as its very important your son may try this with another dog in the street, out and about the dog may not be as forgiving. Is there any opportunity for he child and dog to be seperated ? Perhaps the dog in the garden ?.

Yes but my son wants to go where the puppy is, my son doesn't do it with other dogs, plus our puppy obviously wants to play so it's all a game for her, certain things you can't predict no matter how much research you do, when my wife is on her own it's not easy with the two kids dog etc.

I can understand that

I only have one child, but it's still hard, when loki was young I used to tear my hair out some days with eli winding him up. But they are both alot better now loki is older.

It's hard for my wife when I am at work because she needs to give a lot of attention to our 6 month daughter, but she can't with my son and the puppy, that's why she puts the puppy in the crate, but it's not fair on her to stay in the crate a lot, also if the puppy is in the crate and my wife is breastfeeding our son goes and opens the crate, so my wife had to leave everything and deal with it.

Hmmmm yeah, does your son have naps?? Also have u thought about using a bungie clip!?? I have one for lokis crate I stretch around the door and it's too strong for eli to unclip as he does the same,

No my son doesn't have naps, he is very hyper and active, plus if he did have a nap even an hour he would stay up until late, and I don't want that...... Need a bit of peace at least in the evening, my wife actually said today that it was better we re homed the puppy, I'm going to have to have a good talk with my son and see if there is anything I can do, because at the end of the day the pup has no fault, the pup is practically toilet trained, goes all night without a fuss and no mess it's a real shame, plus we do love her to bits, and my wife really does like it in the evening coz she watches the TV with he pup with her on the sofa (we allow her on the sofa only in the evening and on a blanket).

I would try talking to your son and ask him for help training the pup. Explain the rules and what you are trying to do with the pup. Tell him his mom could really use his help with the pup and give him some responsibility with feeding. You could even bribe him a bit for his help.

Not the ideal solution but maybe worth a try

I bribe him all the time...... Lol, I did have planned to attend puppy classes with my son, just need to try and get him to understand and also try and soften the wife, as today she had a really bad day, I was on a 12 hour shift, and she was indoors all day with the kids and pup and it was pouring down with rain all day so couldn't even go out.

The classes would be a grear idea and should help

Also if I'm at work and she can't walk the dog because she has taken the kids out we have a reliable dog Walker, 8 pounds for 1 hour walks.

Yes I think the classes will help a lot, because I would like to obedience train her as well, and at the end of the day when we can take her out I would take her for walks in the morning, then after lunch again and in the evening after dinner, I think that would do get good and calm her down a lot

Also we should try and see some positives instead of only negatives.

The walks will definately help. Just be sure to keep them to 5 minutes per month of age to avoid health issues down the road. The three times a day is about right but at her age the on lead time should be kept to 10 minutes per walk

So at 3 months I can take her for a 15 minute walk 3 times a day? At what age does this rule end?

Yes, at a year that's an hour per walk which is plenty. If you are going to go longer, add a pack, or any other real strenous activity it's best to wait until 18 months. This is because they gain weight faster than their neuromuscular system devolps so too much exercise can cause joint problems later in life.

Here are some indoor activities you can do to burn off some excess energy as well

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/indoor_dog_games

The 5 minute rule only applies to on lead time. If you let her run around off lead or on a training line that doesn't count

Why doesn't it count off lead? So in theory I can go to a secluded grassed area on my estate and let her do her own thing... Run, rest, sniff, while I sit and read

Off lead doesn't count because the pup is free to stop and rest any time that she needs it. She is also going at her own pace and not being led. Grass is a great idea as well becuase the surface is softer and causes less stress on the joints.

I would still watch her though so she doesn't eat anything she isn't supposed to

She always eats the grass....

Suki does as well. Here is a link that helps explain the reasons and potential dangers associated with the behaviour

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/why_do_staffies_eat_grass

I agree with comments above

Maybe the kid wants to be involved with the puppy and at 4 he doesn’t know how to.
It has been a very long time since we had a 4 year old in the house and to be honest I can’t remember just what they can and can’t do but there must be something you can teach both of them, someone put a link to a list of games on here the other day hide and seek hide the snack ect keep it simple so he can do it on his own that way mum can do what she needs too with the baby.

I know you said your son doesn’t listen to you why not try reward based training LOL both he and the puppy get a treat if they play nice.

Cheers

Try a wee book with pictures for the baby eventually they will take it in.

Hi Stevez, I mean no disrespect or anything. But it sounds like you have bitten off more you can chew, a son of 4yrs old a 6 month old daughter & a 3 month old puppy & you work 12hr shifts. Maybe you should have waited a few yrs before getting a puppy as your wife has alot on her plate at this stage in her life. Hope it all works out mate.

Hmm yeah, sounds like your son might be a bit bored, eli has adhd, so I know what it's like when they are constantly on the go. Please make sure if you are to rehome her you find a really good home. Too many staffie go unwanted

We don't own any kids so I'm no expert but I reckon this will change sooner than you think. She'll soon be nearly as heavy as him and when she's knocked him on his backside a couple of times he'll start giving her a bit more space. Also she'll start mouthing ( it's not biting) soon and that'll make him back off a bit.
Pete

What's mouthing?

It's where they put their mouth around ur hands etc, loki is awful for it sometimes. They just need to be taught bite inhibition and to be soft with their mouths,

Take a look at this link, it will help a lot

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/stop_your_staffy_puppy_biting

All great advice above, perhaps you could interact your son with pup in a positive way ie getting him to teach her to sit and such like.

Thanks guys for all the advice, can I ask one thing why does my puppy after doing her poo she goes and sniffs it and then eats or licks it, is that normal? She did eat I little while before so don't think it's hunger

A lot of pups do just say leave if you see her doing it, and clean it up straight away. It does pass in most puppies.

ok will give that a go, not nice her licking us after she has eat a bit of her poo......lol,

is it normal that in a day i put her in her crate various times so she can rest or calm down so we can have time for the kids or go out?

There's lots of admirable advice on this topic and this is a great place for support but I'm sure that others feel like I do but are unwilling to say it. When you get old you can cos you don't care what others say.
Get the pup re-adopted - take it back to the breeder or use reputable rehomers (no doubt others can supply for your area). If your family circumstances don't allow proper training and interaction for the pup, both it and you are headed for trouble. I'm refraining from saying anything about a four year old who seems completely out of control, that's another subject not covered under dogs.

That's why I said the dog isn't a problem.

well i have decided that now every time my son does something he shouldn't with the dog or in any other situation i am going to isolate him for say 5 minutes and explain to him why, if he gets up from the isolation (he will be sitting on the stairs) before the 5 minutes he will then stay another 5 minutes until he learns, also after the second vaccination i will be attending puppy classes with my son so he can understand more and understand how to behave with dogs around, our puppy after two weeks that we have her is fully toilet trained and is quite obedient within reason as of course she is still a pup and for now has never tried to bite the sofa,a couple of times has gone for the side boards but a firm no from me does the trick, she is just a bit nippy with my son because he teases and my wife occasionaly, i have told my wife that she does need to be firmer with her voice and if she keeps on trying to nip to fold her arms and ignore her or to give her a toy to chew on or to just pick her up and cuddle her to distract her, we have set some rules like never will she go upstairs, when we eat she goes in her crate with the door open, when she gets a bit hyper we put her in her crate with the door open, when she is sleeping our son can not go and disturb her, if he does he will be isolated for the 5 minutes or go upstairs and play. sometimes she gets carried away with the play and excitement and that is when we have to cool things down and take 5, i think the moment we can take her out for her walks the problem will be much better as she will get more tired and be able to explore the world more, tomorrow weather permitting we will all go to the park and i will take her and keep her in my arms this way she will be out and can experience something different than my house and gardens, forgot to add that she always loves to lick my 6 month year old daughter.

Sounds like a good plan.

Hope so because I haven't got plan b...... Lol

Definitely sounds like a plan! Being firm and patient with Theia, and everyone who meets her, is paying off at 23 weeks!! Keep us updated on your progress!
Lynn

stevez wrote:Hope so because I haven't got plan b...... Lol

It can be rough when they are pups. Just be patient, persistance, and persevere

Same situation as me. Wee boy loves the dog but can tease. Last time I caught him going to be mean I got his trainers on and in the car we went. I explained we didn't want bad little boys in the house that will be nasty to dogs. I stopped outside the police station and opened the door. I explained that he would be handed over to the police as they take this very serious. He started crying a. It and I said okay one last chance . He hasn't been bad to it again. I know it sounds harsh but it genually worked

no idea about training kids, dog person myself ... cant blame a dog for being a dog, they do bite and nip as pups as that is how they learn.maybee the kid will learn not to tease the dog. as a fully grown man i looked like a self harmer with both my pups but i can take that. only thing i would suggest is keep them both apart for now and work in introductions in the future