Need tips around integrating puppy with children under 6

[Sasha_GSD_Rescue]

How did you integrate your pup into your family pack? My 9 week old pup can get a little aggressive and charge at little one or bite at little ones diaper or legs. So looking for tips to help correct this behavior.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Malakai The Great]

That’s a really common phase, especially with herding breeds like shepherds, they’re wired to chase movement, and toddlers are basically tiny, unpredictable sheep in their eyes.

At 9 weeks, it’s not true aggression, it’s overstimulation and curiosity mixed with instinct. The key is managing the environment and teaching boundaries early. A few things that help:

• Leash or drag line indoors: Gives you control without needing to grab or yell. You can calmly redirect before things escalate.
• Reward calmness around your little one: If your pup chooses to ignore the movement, mark and reward. You’re teaching them what earns attention.
• Structured separation: Short, positive sessions around the child, then crate or place time to decompress. Puppies tire fast but don’t always know how to shut off.
• Avoid high-pitched reactions or chasing back: Toddlers squealing or running away reinforces the game.

Consistency and supervision are everything at this stage. It gets much easier once your pup learns that calmness earns engagement.

You’re doing the right thing by catching it early, this is totally fixable with patience and structure.

 

[Sasha_GSD_Rescue]

Thank you for the advice. Exactly what I need and will work on. Especially rewarding calmness.