I am overwhelmed with everything now that my husband is being deployed and unfortunately the end result is the dogs spending WAY too much time in their crates, which is unfair to the dogs.
These are the main issues I need to overcome:
My dogs are very exhuberant and while they don't jump on the girls they do go investigate the girls, which leads to ear piercing shrieking (that doesn't seem to bother the dogs, just me). After everyone settles this usually stops.
The dogs like the girls' sippy cups and their toys. If I put a barrier up to the girls' room to keep the dogs out the girls can't go in their room to play with their toys. My dogs have appropriate chew toys but choose to chew my daughters' toys as an alternative.
If my girls are having a snack the dogs will go up to the girls and wriggle and nose the girls, who don't take the food out of the dogs' reach or say "No!" The dogs then assume the food is for them and take it away from the girls. This isn't acceptable for several reasons. How do I work on this?
My girls love both dogs and like to give them pets and hugs. They will tell the dogs "sit" and occasionally the dogs will listen. I tried having the girls give them treats for doing tricks but it didn't work out because of the food issue.
There is NO aggression between the dogs and the kids, I don't know if there is a communication issue because my girls don't speak clearly or if the dogs just aren't listening.
The most pressing issue is exercise. I live out in the middle of nowhere and the temperature this morning when I got up for work was 9, much too cold for the kids to be out. How do I keep the dogs exercised without having my kids out in the hideously cold Maine winter weather?
Any constructive input on these issues will be greatly appreciated!Dogs, children and a harmonious house?
I can honestly say that I have been through the same thing.....But, with a difference. I had large dogs before the kids arrived, so I was loaded with baby gates, as I did rescue at the same time. When kids came along, my home was rather large, so I could isolate dogs away from children eating, playing on floor, until they reached at least 5 years old. My dogs were trained to return to a specific space after integration took place. I did this as safety was always my main goal with large dogs, and children.
If you set up a routine that suits YOU and the twins, the dogs will very easily adjust. For example, after dogs are walked, fed, walked again, they return for a nap in crates, extra room, basement, or an area behind a baby gate. Then the twins needs are met; eating, floor play, etc. All throughout the rest of the day, have set times that dogs and girls mingle, with you supervising. Return dogs again to the resting area with their own toys, treats, and ignore any whining, barking, etc.
They will get the hang of this routine within a 2 week period. Now, you need to teach your girls hand signals for everything that you will be teaching the dogs. Very easy, girls will love the verbal and hand signal training class! You can even do a treat jar for the girls, or a chart with stars each time they master a command for the dogs! Make it fun! Listen, the girls are little sponges now and will learn this right away! I constantly reinforced rules (about everything) to my kids. And still do! I am the official broken-record! lol
Remember, we are MOTHERS! You are in charge of everything going on. You make rules, and limits. You will benefit from taking your power back. I say this because if you think the "TERRIBLE TWOS" are bad, wait til they turn 3! lol
As far as exercise in the cold, use a hallway, basement, garage, and toss a toy around, and yes, outside to run them for as long as weather permits. They will survive the winter. Supply the dogs with toys that you rotate so they do not get bored. Since you are stuck in the house, when it is the dogs time to integrate, make it a routine training time! Good Luck, I know you can do this!Dogs, children and a harmonious house?
You sound overwhelmed - I'm so sorry.
It takes time and diligence to train dogs and exercise them and it doesn't sound like you have that available at this time.
At the age of two I would venture to say that dogs see them as members of the pack and will treat them as such until they grow older.
Perhaps the easiest thing to do, if you can do it is find someone who can take out the dogs and run them ragged so they are calmer in the home.
I don't think you have the time or the energy for dog training school or someone to come in to help you.
If the dogs are spending more time crated then out free it's time to consider finding another home for them.
Hope this helps.Dogs, children and a harmonious house?
Juggling twins, and dogs? That's hard..
It seems as though you've got to much on your plate worrying about, the kids for one, and then the dogs.. I suggest you find possibly a dog walker, in your area, willing to take the dogs out preferably run them, or even bike them (then again, you mentioned how cold it is where you live)..Your dogs are getting more and more excited and exuberant, as they remain stuck in the house, not that you can do anything about it..
I dont wanna suggest rehoming your dogs, i mean, i couldnt imagine saying that to you, as much as you love your dogs.. But make a decision that will benefit your household, and make things alot easier for you.
I mean, i really dont know.. i feel bad.
What would I do in this situation?
okay what you are dealing with is pack rank. your hubby is probably alph #1 you are beta#2 the dogs are in between and the kids are omega bottom of the pecking order. the dogs concider the girls to belong to them.
therefore food playthings also belong to them.
there is no short term sulotion , it ill take time and persistance.
you will have to teach the girls to say no very firmly. (lots of luck with a 2 year old. )
if you have a grauge that can be heated maybe you could give the dogs time out. when they go for snacks from the girls. say no. then isolate them for a short period. and when the girls play time comes around .
best way to keep the dogs from stealing food from the kids is to remove them from the area where the girls are eating.
high energy dogs get boerd easy and the childrens yoys are fair game for mistchive. exercize is a real problem .you can not leave your children unattended to take a dog for a walk. no telling what they might get into. and cold weather is a no no. too.
if at all you have an inclosed area attached to the house like a gaurage extra room ect. you may be able to set up a play room for the dogs. and when nap time for the kids comes around engage in a vigourous play time with the dogs. of corse this will be tiring for you. you have two busy babys to care for. and your house hold chores.
no simple answare for you. and no compleat cure with out some help right there with you. i really feel for you. ome alturnitive for the dogs os to tie them out on long leads so they can chill out when they get graby. and also have to go potty. but not for too long it would be too cold fro them.
i know it would brake your hart, but you may want to concidr finding them new homes. it would be hard because they are like family. but really your first responciblity is your children. i sure hop that some of this helps. you sound like you are pooped out and need a breake. it is so heard when everything gets piled on your shoulders all at once. please keep us informed , anything you can contrubit as far as sucess or failers can help the next person with the same situation.
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