Hi.
My family just got our second ever dachshund. My husband and I had one from when doxie was 2 until he finally passed 16, when our son was 3. My son is now 7 and we got a new puppy (4 months), Murray, just 4 days ago. Initially, he seemed very chill with children. All the neighborhood kids immediately came over and he sniffed around them all on day 1--he was obviously a little shell shocked but he was quiet and brave. However, on day 2 he became overwhelmed by them (4 little kids) as they were running around being normal (but loud) kids in our house, and Murray became fearful. He now barks at my 7 year old every time he enters the room. He also barks at my son's best buddy (the neighbor) when he comes over. I feel horrible and I am trying to figure out how to reverse the damage.
My son is gentle and is trying really hard to make Murray like him, but as an active little boy he still has sudden movements sometimes and or gets loud.
We have my son mostly ignoring Murray and his barking, and giving him lots of treats for positive behavior (being calm), and feeding him for every meal. It is getting a little better, but I really want Murray to like kids. We have a ton of kids in our neighborhood and they are in and out of our house all of the time. TBH, I am feeling a little heartbroken as I wanted my son to have a little doxie buddy like our previous dachshund was with my husband.
Any tips?
My family just got our second ever dachshund. My husband and I had one from when doxie was 2 until he finally passed 16, when our son was 3. My son is now 7 and we got a new puppy (4 months), Murray, just 4 days ago. Initially, he seemed very chill with children. All the neighborhood kids immediately came over and he sniffed around them all on day 1--he was obviously a little shell shocked but he was quiet and brave. However, on day 2 he became overwhelmed by them (4 little kids) as they were running around being normal (but loud) kids in our house, and Murray became fearful. He now barks at my 7 year old every time he enters the room. He also barks at my son's best buddy (the neighbor) when he comes over. I feel horrible and I am trying to figure out how to reverse the damage.
My son is gentle and is trying really hard to make Murray like him, but as an active little boy he still has sudden movements sometimes and or gets loud.
We have my son mostly ignoring Murray and his barking, and giving him lots of treats for positive behavior (being calm), and feeding him for every meal. It is getting a little better, but I really want Murray to like kids. We have a ton of kids in our neighborhood and they are in and out of our house all of the time. TBH, I am feeling a little heartbroken as I wanted my son to have a little doxie buddy like our previous dachshund was with my husband.
Any tips?