Since we cannot always keep your pets tied by our side or in a small enclosure when raising our children; we need to take a few extra precautions. Some dogs and cats are real people pets and will let your children do almost anything from pulling on their ears to taking food out of their mouth, but not without some proper dog training on your part. You need to keep in mind that even though they will allow it most of the time; they can be pushed too far and will react with a snap. Both need to learn their limits and allow private space for each.
Socialization of your pet is essential in teaching him what acceptable behavior is and what will not be tolerated. Introduce them at a young age to gentle children, and they will become more tolerate and allow children to approach them and pet them. Dogs like to play, so let your child throw and a ball and have the dog bring it back and drop it at the child’s feet. This will develop a close relationship that will help your dog to be gentle and loving towards others.
Some precautions to take with your dog and a child are:
a. A child under five years of age should not be left alone with a dog.
b. During snack time separate the dog and the child so the dog does not see little hands as a tasty tidbit.
c. Dogs like children need to have their “own” space. A child has his bedroom he can play in and not be disturbed. A crate or kennel needs to be provided for your dog so he can have a place to retreat. Your child needs to understand that this is “his” place and he is to be left alone. No poking sticks, toys, fingers into the crate or kennel.
d. Keep your pet safe and secure from neighborhood children that might accidentally or intentionally tease or torment him. A fence in yard need to have a locked gate.
e. If your dog is teased or tormented by kids through the fence; he will learn to dislike all kids and want to bark or snarl at them to scare them away. This type of teasing gives the kids a feeling of power over the dog and they want to do it more. They are at a distance and feel safe; but the end result can be that a kid gets bitten.
Some dogs by their nature do not like children because of their noisy or aggressive behaviors. If this is the case, then the children must be taught to change their behavior. Some ideas to help create a better relationship between the two are:
a. The child is taught that the dog’s crate is “His” and his alone, and the child is not allowed to play inside the crate. Placement of the crate needs to be away from the area where the children are engaged in rambunctious play.
b. Children need to be instructed not to squeeze the dog around the neck as this will only make him feel threatened. He may react to this action in an unacceptable manner.
c. When the dog is eating, teach the child to leave him alone. Tiny fingers are hard to resist.
d. Playing the game of tug-of-war should never be played with you dog when he will be around small children. He cannot distinguish the difference between when it is OK and when tugging on the child’s clothing is not an acceptable game.
e. Dominant and aggressive behavior may come into play when children run past the dog and scream, therefore, dogs should never be tethered on a chain or a leash in the open yard. Not only is this hard on our ears; it excites the dog and he will become more aggressive.
With the proper learning experiences, children and dogs do wonderfully well together and become the best of friends. When the dog considers himself to be the family guardian; the result is wonderful and the dog and the child will respect and cherish each other. Dog crates and cages are wonderful inventions that can assist in this process. There is nothing more important than to let your dog be part of the family and to place his crate where interaction can occur with the family.
