DOGS & KIDS
Tips for Happy Dog, Happy Family
While watching your child interact with a pet is one of the sweetest things in this world, there are a couple of things we must keep in mind when it comes to the relationship between children and dogs.
Here’s a handy list of tips to follow to ensure the safe and happy coexistence of young humans and canines:
Supervise
Never leave young kids alone with a new dog.
Excuses such as ‘I only looked away for a split second’ are familiar to all of us. Many parents will say ‘It happened out of nowhere’, or ‘he’s never bitten anyone before’. It’s unfortunate, but any dog has the capability to bite kids. But we can avoid it when we embrace the better-safe-than-sorry mindset.
Even if your kids are dog-savvy, when adopting a new dog, it is always best to be extra cautious.
Be Gentle
It’s a good idea to remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Just because your mild-natured dog tolerates your kids pulling his tail or jumping on his back, it doesn’t mean that it’s okay to allow them to do it.
Keep an eye on the dog’s body language – it might be telling you that, in fact, nobody likes to have their body parts pulled at.
Treats
Most dogs are highly motivated by treats – that’s no surprise to anyone😊
But it may come as a surprise to some that there is a proper way to give treats to a dog, and that is with an open flat hand to avoid fingers accidentally being nipped. Pretend your hand is a plate:)
Hugging
Never let your child hug your dog around the head, neck, or face area.
The proper way to pet a dog is under the chin or around the neck. Never reach over the top of a dog’s head!
Teasing
Teasing is a bit of a tease: while it may seem like a fun thing to do, it often ends in tears and disaster. Teasing the dog with food or toys can encourage jumping and/or biting.
Sleeping
Let sleeping dogs lie! Literally.
Many dogs get startled if awakened while sleeping. It’s best to give your dog a safe place to sleep, such as a crate or a dog bed in a quiet room.
Toys
Toys can be great fun for both kids and dogs to play with.
It’s important to keep the toys picked up and out of the way so the dog doesn’t chew up your kid’s favourite teddy.
When kids want to play with the dog and their toys, make sure to remind them that teasing is not nice.
Playtime should always be supervised. If the dog likes to play rough, consider other ways for your kids to get involved.
Body Language
It is really important to learn about your dog’s body language and teach it to your children.
Here’s a quick guide:
