Dogs and Kids
Dogs and kids can live together harmoniously, if the situation is properly understood and carefully
handled.
Friendships between dogs and
kids are both wonderful and character building for the children.
Most dog bites inflicted on
kids are by the family pet, or a neighbours dog. It is not that the dog is aggressive, it is just that Mums and Dads do
not understand that children, and particularly babies, act very differently to adults, and it is this unusual behaviour that upsets the
dogs.
My own children were brought up with German Shepherds, supposedly well know as aggressive dogs. The dogs were fairly anti-social
to strangers but to the family they were totally trust worthy. I like to think that it was because I taught the kids to behave properly
around and towards the dogs.
When dogs and kids are living
together it is the kids that need to be taught to treat all dogs with the greatest respect, and to understand that dogs
are not toys. As soon as babies are crawling they need to be told to be kind to the family dog. Puppies are never too young to learn, neither
are babies. If you have just acquired a new puppy do not let it chew you or play nip, good training for when it is a fully grown
dog.
Dogs protect all things that they care
about, whether that be the house, their diner, the car, their bed, kids have to understand to leave dogs alone at certain
times or certain places. Some dogs are, by nature, herding dogs, so these may chase a child if it
runs away. This could excite the dog to attack.
Some dogs would get
defensive if they are cornered or have some one standing over them. Kids
should be taught to not scream, cuddle the dog tightly or pinch them. It should be remembered
that as a dog gets older it could become less tolerant, so the family dog that has always been so good with the kids suddenly nips a
child. Old dog get deaf so cannot hear a child approaching, so may nip out of surprise. It is not
the dog’s fault!
Kids need to be told to never
approach a strange dog, without asking permission. If the dog is out without it’s owner leave it alone.
To always approach in a steady quiet manor.
No teasing, yelling, hugging, pinching, pulling or chasing.
Always leave mothers with young alone.
Never try to stop a dogfight!
If you are approached by a strange dog, stand still; let the dog sniff you, no wriggling fingers, put them in your pocket if you
have one.
Do not stare at the dog, and never run away.
If the dog is barking or growling, slowly walk away, keeping the dog in view.
Be sure your kids understand the difference between your own dog and a strange dog.
It is wise to never leave a baby or very young children alone together, no matter how well you think you know the dog.
This all sounds a little forbidding but dogs and kids really can have lots of fun together.
You are welcome to use this article written by Valerie Dancer, for your website or publication. Providing it is copied in it’s
entirety, including the web site address, linking back to us.
www.dogtrainingproblems.biz
Copyright 2006
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