Our four year old son loves dogs, and is around family dogs all the time. For two years he has begged us for a puppy. We finally brought home a beagle (that he picked out two weeks ago)) tonight. Now that the dog is home our son doesnt want him around. We asked if he is afraid or has changed his mind and he has said no. Is this behavior normal?Is he just adjusting?
Do you think he might be a little jealous of the attention the new dog is getting? Is it only the first day? It's a new, strange thing for him. Hopefully they'll bond over time. Can he have a little job like making sire the puppy has fresh water a few times each day?
I am NOT trying to be rude. Why on earth would you expect so much from a four year old? My DD LOVES tractors...points them out, waves 'hi', ...doesnt mean I will buy one. Why would you expect a thought process from a four year old?
I guess you've got yourself a Beagle!
P.S. When you realize that the breed is not right for you, PLEASE surrender him to the humane society. They will ,for certain, find him the RIGHT home.
Is the beagle a puppy or perhaps a teen? The dog may be too active for your son. It's great to be around a puppy or young dog some of the time but all the time may just be too much.
I suggest that a better choice is an older, calm dog who is already used to children. That way he doesn't have to pay attention to the dog any more than he wants to. An older dog is satisfied even when he doesn't get a lot of attention.
We have an old dog. I think he's 16 years old. He loves to get outside and run on a leash and the grandkids love to do that with him. Inside, they may pet him while they're both sitting down watching TV. But mostly they don't pay much attention to him nor he to them after the first 15-20 minutes after they get here.
I'm guessing that he doesn't want him around because he's competition for your attention. At 4 he doesn't know that nor can he verbalize it.
Maybe he feels like he is being replaced? Or maybe it's just one of those things where the grass is always greener on the other side (Though I don't know what I would personally do without dogs! Lol)?
I agree with Denise. Give him little jobs to do with the dog to make him feel more apart of it. Tell him that it is his job to make sure the dog has fresh water and food when he gets up in the morning and before he goes to bed at night? Make a big deal out of it, like 'Only big boys get to have such big responsibilities!' :) I think he might love it :)
My son was seven when we bought our dog (last fall) and there are DEFINITELY jealousy issues. He is an only child, so all of a sudden there is competition for attention and he is not a fan. He has a lot of times where he plays and cuddles w/the dog, and he says he loves her. But there are other tiimes that he's happy the dog is in trouble for destroying the garbage or "going" on the floor. Very much like a sibling relationship. Your son is very young, so in time he will adjust and it can be a good lesson for him in learning to share attention and adjusting to new situations.
Good luck!
Playing with family dogs is very different than having one in your home.
I will assume this is a puppy. They nip and jump and most little kids
really do not like puppies. Not so sure a beagle was the best choice
either, sorry. I had one. They are hunters; nose always to the ground
and ready to take off at any moment. They are not very smart. Hopefully,
your son will adjust but I think it will be a while. Pups just have lots and lots
of energy. Good luck.
I have had dogs all my life, as well as worked in kennels and a vets office. It is normal for you son to behave that way. Bringing a dog/puppy into your home is very different that visiting one. Puppies can be rough, they jump and bite and lots of little kids don't really like them at first. Were the dogs he played with dogs, not puppies? He will come around. My 3 yo was the same way when we brought our puppy home last year. They are the best of friends now. It's just overwhelming and a little bit scary for little ones sometimes. Good luck w/your new puppy. I hope it all works out for you.
I wouldn't put too much thought into the first night of behavior! The dog just got there. Your son is probably overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do with this dog. If you expect that a 4 year old will take care of this puppy or play with it constantly, you may be in for a surprise. Often parents get a pet for their very young child, and the child tires of it quickly.
I hope that you got this puppy because YOU wanted a dog and not just because your very young child said he wanted a dog. Playing with someone else's dog on a visit for the afternoon is very different than having your own dog
