We have a staffy puppy- 18 weeks old and a 4 year old. The 4 year old is my bio daughter and step dad lives with us. 4yo always wants to play with the puppy all the time but he always bites her and it ends in tears. I'm also due to give birth to our second baby in 9 weeks and obviously am very concerned.
I give pup a tap on the nose and sternly say 'no' whenever he bites which works BUT the problem is my hubby. He plays with pup and their playing is biting and fighting.
I've voiced my concerns and every time 1 of 3 things happens...
1. He sulks cause he 'knows what he's doing.'
2. He storms off all shitty and says 'fine I'll get rid of him!'
Or 3. He says 'so don't put the baby down where he can get her.'
It's really bothering me and I need to know if I'm being hormonal or it's justified?!
3 Replies
Totally justified in your part although hitting the dog in the nose is not good. I'd send partner and puppy off to obedience training asap! It's hugely important that the puppy learns not to bite people in play
Ok as a qualified vet nurse for many years and specialising in puppy behaviour and puppy preschool. Its time to get you puppy socialised and trained. Training usially starts at 8 to 9 wks. Enrol your hubby and 4yr old in a dog training course. The puppy is thinking of you guys in a pack and is currently dominating your 4yr old to get higher in the pack. If you teach your 4yr old how to effectively obedience train your puppy they are establishing a pack where the dog is on the bottom and the humans are at the top. This would be a great time for your 4yr old to bond with step dad with dog training. Its never to early to train your dog. Also staffy's are a people dog and love attention so it wont be too hard to train your puppy. The rough play is concerning its its a way for the puppy to show its dominance. A 16wk old pup is pretty big staffy's are a solid bred and can be very strong in a few more weeks your puppy is going to be alot bigger and that cute "play " fighting is going to start to get serious and going to start getting alot more serious.
Find a good place to do some obedience training do it as a family outing and get your 4yr old envolved as much as poss. Try and cut down the rough play and teach pup to.fetch the ball or something instead. Rough play is only going to.encourage the dog to show dominance. I have a 70kilo dog she lives inside and i trust her with my most precious of things my children. If my 2yr old can do obedience training with a 70kilo dog iam sure your 4yr old can do it too. Pets are a great addition to families.
Yep, puppy pre-school training. Or have him give the dog to someone that will train it properly and treat it better.