[JASON]

If you’re leaving the toys out, you can try putting them away. Leaving toys out all the time can kill a dog’s prey drive. If you deprive them of the toy/play they will want it more (hypothetically).

Robert has some excellent videos on how to get your dog to play tug/fetch/etc.

With the nipping you can use a leash to pull the dog off you when it happens. If the leash pressure isn’t enough, you can use a leash pop.

Make sure you time the pressure/pop immediately after the nip. I wouldn’t say anything because I don’t want to confuse it with an obedience command.

[JASON]

Hey Shelby – that’s unfortunate to hear. It sounds like her fear isn’t just with children but a general fear of everything. Exposing her to new stores/parks/etc. in a structured manner is great.

Robert has 2 video lessons with a fearful dog you can watch that can help.

You’re probably already doing this, but also introduce the puppy to your grandkids with structure. Things to keep in mind:

– Keep a leash on her so she can’t run away. Try a calming exercise by stepping on her leash and mark-reward when she lays down and relaxes

– Don’t allow the kids to run up to her and pet/touch her. She is allowed to approach them and sniff. They can present food, but he might not take it given the level of stress/fear.

– Don’t coddle your puppy when it’s being loud/whiny when its around the kids. The puppy shouldn’t be led to think that behavior is acceptable.

– If it’s not irrational fear, you can eventually get your puppy comfortable with the grandkids overtime through establishing a relationship of trust through exercises like the one above. Some other exercises are proper leash walking, hand feeding around meal times, play, etc.

– NOTE: PLEASE TRUST YOUR GUT. If you think the puppy might bite the kids with some of the exercises, don’t do it.

[JASON]

Here’s mine! I repost stuff from dog trainers and my own dog training occasionally! Random shenanigans as well.

https://www.instagram.com/jayeungin/

[JASON]

Hey Jen,

I think Robert has a couple excellent videos on this.

Such a cute puppy!! In the home, you can try with a 3′ or 6′ leash – preferably without a loop at the end so it doesn’t get caught on anything. I did this with my mini-irish doodle and she didn’t notice the leash.

After initially exposing your puppy to this, you can start conditioning her to the leash in the house at meal times. Feed her kibble, and reward her for walking beside you.

1. recall with her name

2. dog recalls

3. “Yes!”

4. reward

Try this several times to see if she is able to learn the behavior/command. Then you can layer leash pressure. Let your puppy get a short distance from you

1. apply light leash pressure – at neck level

2. recall with her name

3. dog recalls

4. “Yes!”

5. reward

When you think she’s learned the behavior/command, you can transition to doing this outside with the 15′ leash in a safe, low-distraction environment.

Hope this helps!