Puppy

As a one year 'gift to myself' I got a puppy. I picked him up on Saturday. He is coming to my home to provide some companionship in the evenings, and motivate me to get out of my house at the end of a long tiring day. I can't help, as I read through manual after manual on how to train your puppy, think of some similarities with children's growth. I'm not saying children are dogs, by any means, and I hope to not offend anyone with this comparison, because in actual fact, the similarities DO NOT end at childhood, but in all our relationships.
But here's what I have seen. 'Troubled' puppies act out their need for attention through chewing on furniture, your favourite shoes, or basically any object that seems to be special to you. They urinate all over your home, and keep you awake a night. They bark excessively, and run out of the house dragging you on walks while you, as their master, tries to assert authority, and demand respect. (What am I getting myself into?) Every manual I read talks about the reasons that puppies do this, and why, when you think you've got the situation all under control, they regress at times. The manuals talk about attention and 'cabin fever', as the two main triggers for this 'acting out'. When you see your puppy/dog doing this, it generally means they are craving some attention, and some outside time. It means it's time to re-evaluate where your attention is. Puppies and dogs are looking for a 'pack leader' they are pack animals. They need socialization, attention and outside time. They also need limits and boundaries. Puppies that are given free range of the whole home will, with no guidance and follow-through,  as adult dogs, blur boundaries and limits imposed on them in adulthood.
Although children are not dogs, there are some real similarities. So perhaps all my years of experience with children has prepared me to live with a puppy?!?!?!

Nahum

So here's how it has gone with having 'Nahum' around the children in the centre:
1. Nahum loves running with the children
2. The children love running with Nahum
3. Nahum is, from an early age, learning to be around children
4. Nahum has started showing up in out imaginative play. ie: 'I'm the teacher, and you're Nahum.'
5. Because Nahum gets tired easily, the children understand that sometimes 'we all need a break'
6. The children are learning how to approach dogs in a safe manner, and how to be patient with him
7. The children have been wanting to know more about dogs, so we have started doing some 'research'
8...... the lessons are endless!!!

The children playing 'puppies in a cage'