Is your dog all over your kids
November 3rd 2021
Spatial awareness is not natural for dogs. Jumping is! But with little ones or those of our guests who have balance issues, thin skin, etc. A jumping dog can be a bigger problem. So how do we address it?
FIRST, Managemenet. Prevent access to the unwanted behavior. In this case: tethers to you, baby gates, xpens, etc.
SECOND, Reward the behavior you want to see- calmly looking at kids, standing near them, etc. Make those behaviors the more valueable and reinforcing behavior because it means they will happen more often.
THIRD, follow the activity below to start teaching your dog spatial awareness. ALWAYS do this in a safe and responsible manner.
Personal Bubble
Before starting this activity make sure your dog is on the leash and you have all the supplies
listed.
Must-have supplies/shopping list.
● Food: Everyday meals. Chews.
● Equipment: Short leash. A flat collar or body harness.
● Hula Hoop
● Suspenders of an appropriate size
Home setup.
Before starting this activity explain to your child or children that is goal is for them to throw treats outside the hula hoop only when their dog doesn’t put any part of their body past the edge of the hoop. Your child will stand inside the hoop and the dog will be on a leash with a parent holding it so that the dog is less likley to pass over the threshold of the hoop.
Step 1. Have your child stand in the hoop with the hoop on the ground and toss treats in 1 to 3 second intervals outside the hoop as long as the dog stays on their side of the hoop. Bonus points if your dog begins to sit or laydown vs try to walk into the hoop.
Step 2. Repeat this process in every room in the house over the course of several days and always reinforce when your keeps their space from your kids properly throughout the day with no hoop involved. This will improve your success.
Remember, it may take several days or weeks for your dog to make the transition to this new behavior.
Part 2
Once this is going well go ahead and have your child attach the suspenders to the hoop and wear the hoop around. For activities like going through doors or downstairs keep the dog on the leash and under control of the parent and help reinforce the spatial awareness of the child for the dog. Prevent Accidents. Supervise your dog in the house
Build this up one child at a time and ALWAYS remember to reinforce throughout the day for all behaviors you want from your dog.
