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[quote=Anonymous]Congrats on the new pup! Some of the issues will improve with time and some of them you will just get used to :).

With regard to the shedding, the most effective thing I have found is to get a really good anti-shed dog brush and use it very regularly, like a couple of times a week. I think the most popular brand is the furminator but it is $$$. We have a knockoff that works very well. The right brush will depend on the dog's hair texture. I find that using the brush often really cuts down on the hair in the house, but if I go more than a few days without a good brushing, the hair is everywhere again. Fortunately my dog loves being brushed so it's just a matter of finding the time.

Don't worry about getting a new couch. The dog should NOT be on the furniture at all. Get her a nice dog bed or even two (one for living room or main area of house, one for where she sleeps at night) and teach her to use it, and teach the kids that it is off limits to them. Letting the dog on the furniture is not only a recipe for hair-covered clothes, it sends the message to the dog that she is equal to the family members in the pack hierarchy. This is not what you want. She needs to know you are the alpha and you are in charge.

Agree with PPs that you MUST supervise the kids closely while they learn how to treat the dog. Dog-training is important but it sounds like what you really need is kid-training.  Teasing is an absolute no-no.  It may be more supervision (of the kids) than you had bargained for, but it is worth the time investment now to avoid a dangerous or sad situation later (e.g. the dog gets punished or even rehomed for something that isn't really her fault, or worst case she bites one of the kids who is teasing her.)

Good luck! Enjoy your new family member!
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