2 year old and new puppy - any advice?

[frankieboy]

Hi everyone!

I'm expecting to have our new little bundle of fur-joy arrive oct. 25th. He will be almost 8 weeks old then. I have a two year old daughter (skin-child as you call it lol), and I would LOVE to hear anyone's advice on how to help them get to know each other with ease.

Daniella (my daughter) is interested in puppies but she is not rough with them. She goes to pet gently and will listen to me clearly when I tell her no or to step away from any dog. So that makes me happy.

I did not have the chance to meet our pup first before getting him home but the breeder says he is quite playful. I am a stay-at-home mom so I have time to spend with the two of them to get things rolling. I don't have much of a yard, but I have a decent yard that is fenced that I was going to let them play outside together and run around a bit.

Also, I know he is young - so how can I help socialize him with other dogs/people without risking exposure to viruses and such?

Has anyone ever tried one of those puppy socialization classes offered at Petsmart or PETCO or something?

I have a fabulous park and dog park nearby but as I said we can't take advantage of that until he's had all his shots....

[Caney Creek]

I would definitely suggest the puppy classes at PetSmart. Not that you'll learn the most valuable training methods there but puppy classes are primarily for the pup's socialization. It will give him a chance to play with other dogs his age and be handled by lots of different people. This kind of socialization is extremely beneficial to his development.

Dog parks are not just risky because of the possible diseases your pup might come in contact with, but also in that you cannot predict what kinds of dogs might be there, and the chance that your pup could run into the wrong dog. One bad experience can have a permanent psychological effect on a pup, possibly resulting in dog-aggression or fear of other dogs later down the road. So... it's probably best to wait until after puppyhood A better idea would be to socialize him with your friends' dogs, or set up play-dates with other pups you meet in puppy class.

Supervise interactions between daughter and puppy for a while. The pup will have to learn right and wrong of course -- what's OK to jump on and what's not, what's OK to chew on and what's not -- and you don't want him "practicing" on your 2-year-old especially not with those sharp puppy teeth. Wouldn't make for a such a great experience for her. Once he's learned that humans play differently he should be fine with your daughter. Boxers tend to be very tolerant of children.

Here is an article on bite inhibition that will be quite helpful.
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

These two outline the stages of puppy development, and give great tips on how and when to socialize your pup.
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/vie...your-puppy.htm
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/vie...ialisation.htm

You can find more puppy training tips in the Articles section of this site... and of course, from us here in the forums

[frankieboy]

thanks for the insight - i have already begun reading these articles and i do appreciate the help in focusing on the good stuff so i can spend less time searching and more time digesting the information!

I agree about the dog parks too. In theory it seems like such a great idea - but definitely risky for the younger dog.

I think I'm going to try the puppy class at our local PetSmart.

[kayboxer]

I agree with the above. My son was two when we got our first boxer. They would play, but those sharp puppy teeth can hurt so you will really have to monitor the play. Also, since your child is only two they don't understand how picking up a puppy can hurt the puppy, since two year olds don't know the proper way to pick up an animal. You don't want any hurt legs, neck, etc., because the puppy is also just a baby. I would really stress to your child not to pick up the puppy and carry it around. Tell her that the puppy can sit in her lap when she is sitting down, but no carrying the puppy. The best part is watching them grow together. My son is now 11 and our "puppy" at that time is now 8 1/2, and they just love each other.

[Caney Creek]

Originally Posted by frankieboy

thanks for the insight - i have already begun reading these articles and i do appreciate the help in focusing on the good stuff so i can spend less time searching and more time digesting the information!

I agree about the dog parks too. In theory it seems like such a great idea - but definitely risky for the younger dog.

I think I'm going to try the puppy class at our local PetSmart.

That will be very good for him You're definitely on the right track to having a well-rounded dog. It speaks volumes that you're already asking questions, reading and preparing for this puppy before he has even arrived. Good job!

[Toby love]

We just went through this! We got Toby in June and my daughter turned 2 in July. The first few days was heaven they only wanted to cuddle on the big dog bed and give each other kisses. She would toddle around and he would prance behind her. We even have a picture of them watching dora together. Toby sitting on her little princess couch with his head cocked to the side while she's standing there in a t-shirt and diaper watching (it's my favorite photo of the two of them!

Then came the month of hell while they tested each others boundaries. I think he started seeing her as a litter mate because he would jump at her back, knock her down, and try to chew on her hair (very curly little bouncy ringlets). There were many days where I thought it would never get better and that maybe I should have waited till she was older. It took a lot of vigilance, never leaving their side, and some apple bitter daily on the back of her neck but eventually he learned that those behaviors weren't ok. Toby is now 6 months old and they are the best of buds. He no longer jumps on or at her, no part of her body has been in his mouth in months, and he puts up with way more abuse from her than I would if I were a dog. Let me just say by abuse she doesn't do anything dangerous it's just a lot of love, hanging herself across his back while giving him hugs, grabbing his jowells to give him a kiss, and my husbands favorite dressing him up in her princess dress up clothes.

[Caney Creek]

Originally Posted by Toby love

....my husbands favorite dressing him up in her princess dress up clothes.

I would love to see pictures of that

[Toby love]

Originally Posted by Caney Creek

I would love to see pictures of that

Oh it's so funny he just gives us this look as if to say "again! are you kidding me?" I couldn't have asked for a better doggy playmate for my daughter.

[kathysboxer]

I just wanted to say congrats on your new fur baby! You have just given your daughter the best friend she could ever ask for. I have no more advice as the previous replies covered most of it, and BW is always here if you have more. I just wanted to say congrats and enjoy both of your babies. You won't regret (well, maybe a couple times ) your decision or choice in breeds.

[Indy's mom]

You've been given such great advice! We got our first boxer when our three sons were 3, 2 and 2 weeks old. They were all puppies together.

Vigilance, calmly and repeatedly enforcing the rules, praising children and puppy alike for a job well done. In a very short time our Rocky was devoted to our boys. When they would go somewhere he would go and get Billy's stuffed dog and lay with it until they returned. No chewing, just carried it. He watched over them and put up with their short, selective memories. The love that was shared between them still brings tears to my eyes. Those boys are now 24, 23 and 21 and they still talk about their Rocky.

You will no doubt have frustrating and irritating moments, with both child and dog. Time outs are good for everyone! Stick with it and you will have the most amazing companion you could ever imagine.

There is nothing like the bond between a child and a dog. Good luck!

[kathysboxer]

Today's the day!! Yaaa. Let us know how first day/night goes. Can't wait to hear about all the things those two will get into. Partners in crime, oh no!! Just remember, DD will probably blame puppy for lots of no-nos! Hho upset my plant? Doggie did it.

[frankieboy]

You guys have been great with the advice and the uplifting morale boosters - which ..may not seem like much to some but I know there are moments when people get puppies when they think to themselves OMG! WHAT DID I DO? LMAO.

I have had lots of puppies in my lifetime, but never a boxer and never at the same time while raising a toddler! So this forum I know will be a lot of help to me.

My friend was not able to deliver Frankie to me this weekend so it may be during the week or the following weekend, which was SORT OF disappointing (I spent all of Thursday puppy-proofing to the best of my ability), but maybe it was for the best ... he will only be 8 weeks old next weekend anyway. And from what people have told me that seems like a good age to come home. Also, my daughter has the sniffles so hopefully that will be gone by the time he gets here.

I am very grateful to be able to stay at home with them both and watch them grow together. I'm mentally preparing myself for the moments of stress, as you all say - they are inevitable!

One of my "plans" (we all know plans change....) was this: Since my daughter is currently having issues sleeping in her own room and since a new puppy is likely to whine at night for a bit anyway... I am going to use an air-bed for myself in the baby's room and sleep next to her bed..and then put Frankie's crate in there with us as well. My husband won't mind sleeping alone for a week or so, in fact he might enjoy the extra leg room lol.

I have two crates one for upstairs and one for downstairs, this way I don't have to carry one up and down the stairs every night. But, does this sound like a bad idea? I'm just trying to think of how I can conveniently take care of everyone's needs at once!