Challenging Christmas visitor...

    • Silver

    Challenging Christmas visitor...

    Ok I have a 5 year old visiting for Christmas and I have a 9 almost 10 wk mini schnauzer puppy. Mind you we have had him ( the puppy is named Kona) for only 6 days. In that time he has learned how to sit for meals, goes potty out on the balcony, naps in his play pen/ crate, and sleeps at night in his small crate next to the bed. Now that Abby is here.... She loves him, he thinks she is a playmate :-) he is in a tizzy. She wants to go out with him to potty.. He won't go. She was tapping at the door and he went right in front of the sliding door...OUTSIDE, he did not use his puppy pad. This was in the first few hours neither one of their fault I did not know he would be so distracted by this little person :-) .When he nips she says no, but in the next minute wiggles toes and fingers to entice him. She says 'No' if he jumps or pulls at her pants or bites the sofa, but then says it again after he calms and is chewing on his toy. Of course he looks up confused. When he sleeps, she tries to wake him up in the crate. I have to watch them both 24/7. I know she is 5 . Anyone have any idea how to deal with this short of keeping her away from him. That doesn't seem fair to her. She is here to spend Christmas, but Kona has to have some continuity.... It's his home and he's a baby. I don't want this week to undo the progress he's made , but I want Abby to have a good time. She will be visiting again. She is my husbands adopted daughter, she lives with the ex wife. It would have been better if Kona was older for the first meeting, but he's not. Plus, I am doing this all alone.... Husbands working and on call long shifts. ANY HELPFUL ADVICE IS APPRECIATED ;-/
    • Gold Top Dog

    Your young visitor needs to be taught how to interact  appropriately with the puppy.  She's old enough to understand that the puppy is learning how to be a good puppy.  You can explain that if she teases or entices the puppy to nip at her fingers and toes she's causing the puppy to get in trouble.  Kids usually have a strong sense of fairness.

    She has to be made to understand that the puppy is not to be teased or disturbed when he's in his crate.  Again, explain that this is his safe place to rest and it's not fair for her to bother him when he's in there. She should also not be allowed to disturb him when he's eating or has a chew toy.  

    It's up to the adults, and in this case, you, to teach the child that the puppy is not a toy.  She can play with him but only if she follows the rules.  When he's outside to potty she should be instructed to leave him alone.  Use examples that put her in the puppy's place and it will be easier for her to empathize with the puppy.

    It's not a question of whether it's fair for her to get to interact with the puppy.  The question is whether boundaries will be set for her so your  puppy doesn't become confused and stressed. That's unfair to the puppy who has no control over the situation

    Teach her how to toss a ball for him.  Teach her how to help the puppy learn to sit.  Children need to learn how to properly handle pets.  It's not intuitive behavior for some children.  Good luck and when it all becomes too much, put them both in their crates. :)  

    • Silver

    Thank you so much.