Biting Greta

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Friends4ever

Boxer Pal
My pup and my 2yr old skinkid can not seem to get along. They fight like two little kids--running around the room chasing, yelling, barking and biting at eachother. But I am getting VERY concerned because my pup leaves scratch and bite marks all over his body. She has also broken skin on several occasions. My furkid is rather aggressive with my skinkid when they are playing. They are like two windup toys that wind eachother up and don't stop! I don't mind the chaos--I just don't want them to hate eachother or worse my skinkid get hurt badly. Any suggestions.
 
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bunchtolove8

Boxer Pal
Dawn:
Given the age of your pup-you,are exactly where we were 1 year ago! I strongly advise you do something now to stop this behavior before the puppy is convinced that your child is an equal. We adore our Blake but he was taught from the beginning that he is low man on the totum pole. Although I believe boxers are the ultimate for kids in general, they need limits and guidance to learn the ropes. BITING IS NOT ALLOWED - Jumping is not allowed - It will take alot of your time and effort but please get started before this puppy puts on 20 lbs and keeps playing with your little one like he's a toy.
 
Krikkit

Krikkit

Boxer Insane
Hi Dawn, nothing like a puppy and a toddler to create chaos - they both need to learn nice play :) Dr Ian Dunbar has some excellent works available regarding raising dogs and children together happily - his video 'Biting' and 'Dog Training for Children' are both excellent resources and well worth viewing. They are available at www.dogwise.com

This article is worth reading:
Dogs and Children
http://www.universaldogs.com/behintel/dogchdren.htm

Here is a very short Dunbar article on children and dogs:
DOGS AND CHILDREN
by Ian Dunbar PhD, MRCVS

Growing up with a family dog can be a marvelous. Leaming to respect, understand, care for, and successfully control a dog gives a dramatic boost to any child's self esteem. But the above benefits do not come by magic. Children and parents alike must realize, that cartoon dogs are fantasy, and that Lassie was several well-trained dogs. All owners should seek family puppy training classes, in which both puppies and children are allowed off-leash. just as all dogs must learn how to act around children, (especially dogs living in homes without children), all children must learn how to act around dogs.

Every family member, children included, must learn to control the dog. Even though your child can easily hug your cute and cuddly pupski now, within just four months time, your adolescent dog will approximate adult size and strength. Whereupon the dog may be less inclined to enjoy handling (manhandling) and hugging (squeezing) by children. Should the dog not 'work out', children will believe they failed, which does little to boost their self image. Consequently, teach children to control the dog using training techniques they can master.

Teach your children how to use food lures to entice the pup to come, sit, he down and roll over, i.e., an omega rollover. By engaging brain instead of brawn, even four- and five-year-olds can master these exercises. Then, instruct your kids that they can only give the pup treats, if it sits. As a beneficial side effect of lure-reward training, the dog grows to like and respect its trainer. "Wow! Children are fun; they give lots of treats. Of course, you have to sit to receive them... but then that's just common canine courtesy!"

By approaching and sitting close, the dog offers proof that it voluntarily accepts and enjoys the child's company. By sitting, lying down and rolling over, the dog demonstrates compliance by acknowledging the child's wishes. The child asks, and the dog obeys. By willingly rolling over on request, the dog demonstrates active and voluntary appeasement. And quite ffankly, happy deference towards children is the only workable solution.
Children feel great because they can control the pup with verbal commands and handsignals. Puppies are ecstatic because they have discovered that 'sitting' is the secret command, which trains children to stand still and deliver treats on cue. And adult owners feel relieved and deservedly proud to know that their soon-to-be adolescent dogs are congenial and compliant with children.

Instruct children to stand still (or move slowly) when around the puppy, to always speak softly, and to keep one hand in their pocket whilst giving hand signals with the other. Any child, who can not yet get the puppy to come, sit and lie down, should never be allowed to play with the pup unsupervised. The puppy is not a stuffed toy! A single child (or adult, for that matter) with no control can ruin a good puppy within moments. Insist on 'training' before 'playfime'. And in no time, the child will be play-training the puppy.

Warning children not to approach the dog while it is eating, or at any time without supervision, may be sound and necessary advice, but it is not sufficient to prevent possessiveness. On the contrary, isolating a dining dog actually fosters protectiveness. Instead sit with your children, holding the pup's bowl and jointly handfeed its first few meals. (Handfeeding helps preserve the puppy's soft mouth.) Periodically instruct your child to offer treats which are tastier than the dog's dried kibble. Your puppy will soon learn to love the presence and presents of children.
 
tingoddess

tingoddess

Super Boxer
In addition to Dr Dunbar's works consider picking up The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson. Very valuable to have on hand. Gives good perspective on the development of your puppy and the behaviors of dogs. At because you child is so young I would suggest he not be allowed to run and squeal with the pup chasing him. As stated the pup see's him as an equal/littermate and is treating him as such. A two year old can not adequately control a dog, especially a puppy this young so you need to really keep tabs on them at all times to prevent either of them from getting hurt.
Good luck:)
 
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