After years of pressure from our two sons (now 12 and 10) we finally "gave in" and decided to get a dog.  We wanted a breed that was not too large, would have minimun shedding, plenty of energy for two young boys and intelligence.   After some research, we decided on a rat terrier.  About two weeks ago, my wife and two boys drove for two hours to pick up a 15-week old rat terrier puppy we named "Snickers."  He's a cute dog and we've been pretty happy with our choice.  We have one issue that I was hoping someone might have some advice. 

I am the father in our family and, as you might expect, the biggest person.  For whatever reason, "Snickers" pays me the most attention.  If he's lying on the couch with my two boys and I leave the room, he gets up and follows me.  If I come back into the room, and sit down, he will jump up on the couch,  lie down, and rest his head on my thigh.  In other words, when I'm home, he's my "shadow," to the exclusion of my two boys.  Don't get me wrong, he can be affectionate with my boys, but he's "over the top" with me;  jumping up, trying to lick my face etc. etc.  We got the dog as a pet for my boys and I want him to look at them as his "masters," not me.  Is there any suggestions as to how I can get "Snickers" to pay more attention to my sons, and be their playmate, rather than me?  Thanks in advnce for any advice you can give me?

I just wanted to say WELCOME to you & Snickers.  A rat terrier was a good choice

Thanks, everyone, for your advice.  It all makes sense, but I would have a tough time being "mean" and pushing Snickers away.   I'll try to post a photo soon.  Thanks again. 

Hi and welcome to the site.

A very similar thing happened to me.  We got Murphy primarily for my 9 year old son, but because he needs so much supervision and my wife and I feed him, take him out to do his business, clean it up when we didn't get him out in time, etc... well, he bonded to us and will prefer either of us over my son.  I wish Spencer could take care of the dog, but he's just not mature enough for it yet, but if he could, that would be the best way to get Murphy focused on him.

One thing I do when my son wants to play but Murphy is focused on me is that I will ignore him.  If he's on my lap, maybe I will get up and move to another chair so he has to get up too.  My son will flop around on the floor like a fish out of water (it's cuter than it sounds) and call him, and eventually, Murphy goes and plays with him.  When we do dog treats, I always have Spencer give it to him, if he's around.  We've gotten a pretty good balance with this now by doing things like this, and Murphy looks to Spencer for play-time, and me for... everything else.

pictures would be cool... love to see Snickers.

Not to worry.  Ivy now 17 weeks use to stick to me like glue but now that she is a little older and more independent has found my boys 13 and 8 to be more "fun" most of the time.  They have more time for just playing than I the single mom does.

Ratsrule:

Roger that, thank you.  I'll make my boys be "Snickers" exclusive feeders.  That sounds like the best "first step."  Thanks again.