Puppy Out of Control Around Kids -- NEED ADVICE!!!

[mss]

Hello All! I am feeling desperately in need of advice on how to deal with Frida (4-months old) around kids. First off, I have three of them (all under 7) and Frida has, after two months with us, started attacking and biting at their legs and feet pretty much every time they walk in the room. She has always done this with my youngest (3 years old), treating him like a human chew toy, and it's made worse by the fact that he runs and squeals and giggles and kicks his feet around. Of course, Frida thinks it's a fun game. We are working on this -- teaching the kids to just relax, keep walking, and ignore the little maniac at their feet so it's not fun for her (instead of jumping around and screeching, which is what they all start doing because they don't want to be attacked!!!) Sometimes I am rushed and busy and the whole situation is exasperating, so we end up just putting Frida outside because I can't deal with policing her and the kids...and then I feel so bad, like I am just banishing her instead of TEACHING her. But I am at a loss sometimes!
Ok so IN ADDITION to attacking the feet of my own kids, she goes absolutely nuts when there are other kids here. Today my kids had two friends over and Frida was just bouncing off the walls, nipping like mad, pouncing on their feet...and it all starts up: the squealing and the screaming and the running away...which Frida thinks is a big game. I try to call her, she won't come, she is so jazzed up she is running from me, going after them, etc. She nipped my son's friend pretty hard at one point and then he was crying and everyone was mad at her. Again, I end up putting her outside because she is just so out of control...and then I feel bad.
When my son's friend's mom came I was telling her Frida was so nuts and she said that they always put their dog (a one-year old boxer) in her crate when there are kids over. She thinks its better for the dog, too, because she doesn't get so worked up. What do you think? I want Frida to socialize and be used to kids (hello, there's no avoiding that! I can't get rid of them! hahaha!) but I cannot deal with how crazy she is around them. HELP!!!

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Oh so easy ;-)
two things ... first (and hardest) is to teach the kids to stop. Fold their arms and turn away from her. When she loses the reward of them squealing and running ... she will putter off to do something else. Conversely, remove her to a quiet area (not outside, something quiet and away from people) for 5 mins or so. This lets her calm down and compose herself, then rejoin the group. If need be ... put her on a leash and attach her to you. Putting her outside, or in a crate, the entire time will not teach her anything and will frustrate her normal desire as a companion dog - frustration leads to acting out.

Second ... work on simple obedience. sit, stay, down ... and Leave IT!! Look into classes if you need help. Yelling her name or NO! or Bad Dog! over and over teaches nothing and the words lose effectiveness if they are not tied to an action or a reward.

This can be done, promise. She is a very typical puppy and just needs time, and patience and attention ... a fourth kiddo ;-)

[CountryPug]

I agree with what Anne said. I would also worry about the puppy getting stepped on and hurt with all this commotion going on. I second the putting her on a leash and keeping her with you while there are other children over. Hard enough to control your own, but even harder when you add someone else's kids. It takes time and patience, but she will eventually calm down and obedience classes really do help.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Both posts are exactly what I was thinking. Good luck!

[mss]

Thanks for the advice. This is helpful. As for the obedience classes, I live in Quito (Ecuador) and our vet here told me that really has no trainer to recommend...that most of the obedience training here is kind of harsh and not the best for a family dog. She recommended getting a good book and doing it on our own. I am willing to try this but I would still love some more first-hand guidance. Will keep looking for some kind of class. So you guys do not think I should put her in her crate in a quiet room when kids are over? The leash is better?

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Putting her in the crate away from people is contrary to her nature. It is okay to give her a chance to calm down for a few minutes, but beyond that - it is counter productive. This is a process, and will take time. wrk with the little ones on remaining calm and quiet and still when she gets excited.
Lots of support here to guide you through.

[Suri]

The biting/nipping stage is part of the young puppy. You got great advice, please take time to teach the children to be calm, how to gently pet the pup, and try not to make sudden movements, and to use inside voices, no screaming around the pup.
My three are not used to small children but my three year old nephew is taught correct behavior for being around my pugs and my pugs have learned to trust him, it took time , and consistency,but is well worth it.

[Tinker's mom]

You have really gotten sound advice, please be patient and consistent.What about a how to dvd, Victoria Stillwell may have one, check online.Most of us have raised our pugs from puppies.Tinker chased and nipped at my daughter's heels when she visited and she was 28!She tried it with me when Stacy wasn't here but I stopped in my tracks and didn't move until she stopped. It didn't take long because their attention span is not long.