trini
Forums Sage
Quiet games for children to play with your/their sheltie:
Base rules for any game:
1. No yelling
2. No jumping around
3. No sudden movements with hands and arms
4. Always allow the dog to be the one to approach you...never reach or move toward the dog.
Even young children (3+) with full supervision from parents or older siblings can learn these rules, follow them, and still have a great time. Don't underestimate your child's ability to do this! But always be right there to supervise the playtime with very young children to make sure it doesn't "go bad". And let them know that they only get to play these games when you are with them because these are "very special" games for special times. It does take time on your part, but the results can be heartwarming and give even very young children the chance to feel that they too are part of the dog's life...a really extra special part...and it can nip in the bud any resentment they might grow to feel toward a dog they are constantly being told to "leave alone".
Game: Path of treats:
Have your child (or you) place 3 or 4 special tiny treats in a straight line on the floor, put the treats 2'-3' apart. Have your child sit a couple of feet past the last treat, cross legged, with a treat placed on each knee. Then they softly call your dog to them..."come"...no clapping hands or reaching toward the dog. They can sit on their hands initially if that helps to keep their hands quiet...kids love doing silly things like sitting on their hands. If your child is very young, sit on the floor beside them to assist them in remembering the rules...no yelling, no jumping up, no clapping, no reaching toward the dog. If you have more than one child they can take turns playing "Path of Treats"...and it can be fun to time how long it takes your dog to eat the path of treats and the treats from each child's knee...and declare a winner for the shortest time. You can add to this game in many ways...a low jump for the dog placed in the middle of the treat path...a "sit" or "down" command (once your dog has been taught these basic commands) between treats, etc...these additions can include older children in the "training" of your dog in a fun way and help your dog learn that he/she needs to obey others in the family, not just you. In an emergency it can be critical that your dog take commands from anyone in the family.
Use your imagination to come up with other games...when my grandkids were still very young their favorite game with my shelties was "Play Dead". They would get a dab of peanut butter on one hand...then lie on the floor with the PB hand outstretched, lips "buttoned" once they called the dog to "come", and body "dead". The child who played dead the best, didn't giggle or move at all while the PB was being licked off their outstretched hand, won. I used to make up "winner certificates" they would receive to be posted on the frig for "public viewing".
Any non-threatening, quiet game you can have your kids play with your dog will gradually help your dog understand that they can approach your child/children without fear of being mishandled...even if they never grow to love children in general. And the games teach your child that they should never move toward any dog or invade that dog's space, but always let the dog be the one to come to them. Teaching that alone can save them from a bite from a strange dog that they might run up to greet. There is no limit to the children/dog non-threatening games you can invent...take into consideration your kid's personalities, their ages, and the personality of your dog as you dream up games that will work best for all.
Trini
Base rules for any game:
1. No yelling
2. No jumping around
3. No sudden movements with hands and arms
4. Always allow the dog to be the one to approach you...never reach or move toward the dog.
Even young children (3+) with full supervision from parents or older siblings can learn these rules, follow them, and still have a great time. Don't underestimate your child's ability to do this! But always be right there to supervise the playtime with very young children to make sure it doesn't "go bad". And let them know that they only get to play these games when you are with them because these are "very special" games for special times. It does take time on your part, but the results can be heartwarming and give even very young children the chance to feel that they too are part of the dog's life...a really extra special part...and it can nip in the bud any resentment they might grow to feel toward a dog they are constantly being told to "leave alone".
Game: Path of treats:
Have your child (or you) place 3 or 4 special tiny treats in a straight line on the floor, put the treats 2'-3' apart. Have your child sit a couple of feet past the last treat, cross legged, with a treat placed on each knee. Then they softly call your dog to them..."come"...no clapping hands or reaching toward the dog. They can sit on their hands initially if that helps to keep their hands quiet...kids love doing silly things like sitting on their hands. If your child is very young, sit on the floor beside them to assist them in remembering the rules...no yelling, no jumping up, no clapping, no reaching toward the dog. If you have more than one child they can take turns playing "Path of Treats"...and it can be fun to time how long it takes your dog to eat the path of treats and the treats from each child's knee...and declare a winner for the shortest time. You can add to this game in many ways...a low jump for the dog placed in the middle of the treat path...a "sit" or "down" command (once your dog has been taught these basic commands) between treats, etc...these additions can include older children in the "training" of your dog in a fun way and help your dog learn that he/she needs to obey others in the family, not just you. In an emergency it can be critical that your dog take commands from anyone in the family.
Use your imagination to come up with other games...when my grandkids were still very young their favorite game with my shelties was "Play Dead". They would get a dab of peanut butter on one hand...then lie on the floor with the PB hand outstretched, lips "buttoned" once they called the dog to "come", and body "dead". The child who played dead the best, didn't giggle or move at all while the PB was being licked off their outstretched hand, won. I used to make up "winner certificates" they would receive to be posted on the frig for "public viewing".
Any non-threatening, quiet game you can have your kids play with your dog will gradually help your dog understand that they can approach your child/children without fear of being mishandled...even if they never grow to love children in general. And the games teach your child that they should never move toward any dog or invade that dog's space, but always let the dog be the one to come to them. Teaching that alone can save them from a bite from a strange dog that they might run up to greet. There is no limit to the children/dog non-threatening games you can invent...take into consideration your kid's personalities, their ages, and the personality of your dog as you dream up games that will work best for all.
Trini
It is wonderful that you have had/have children loving Shelties. 
