 Dogs
and Children
Children and dogs are a natural, but because of a child's small size and
unpredictable behavior there are several things every pet owner or parent
should know about children and dogs.
Living with a dog can be beneficial to
children. Dogs can enhance children’s self-esteem, teach them
responsibility and help them to learn empathy. However, children and dogs
may not always automatically start off with a wonderful relationship.
Parents must be willing to teach the dog and the child acceptable limits
of
behavior in order to make their interactions pleasant and safe.
This article will help parents decide which
dog is best for small children, as well as how to introduce a new dog to a
family with children. The article will also discuss special health risks
and common behavior problems, which can occur between dogs and children.
Age of Children
Deciding when to introduce a dog into the family depends on many
circumstances. The age of the child is not nearly as important as your
comfort level in handling children and dogs at the same time. Generally
speaking, however, the younger the child, the better. Younger children
have lower likelihood of developing allergies to the dog when introduced
as babies or toddlers. They also learn to accept and celebrate the company
of the dog early on. Fear of dogs does not have time to develop. Children
that grow up with dogs from an early age are shown to have remarkably
increased social skills, including the ability to express themselves and
get along with others.
Temperament of
Children
We have placed our pre-trained dogs in many homes with small children and
stand ready to assist in this area. We will gain important
information from you about the temperament of your son or daughter, as
this will be important when selecting the right dog for your family. (If
your child is under two years of age, your temperament will be more
important).
The temperament of children can range from that of the outgoing, sports
playing gregarious child that never knows a stranger, to the more
intellectual bookworm that is just as happy curled up by the fireplace.
Matching the temperament of the dog to that of the child will make a
better bond. If your child has challenges, such as a learning
disability, mental handicap, or behavioral problems, make sure to let us
know. This information is invaluable.
Selecting A Dog
What age is best? Many people have a warm and fuzzy image of a puppy and a
child growing up together. If you have a young child and are thinking of
adopting a puppy (less than 1 year old), there are a few things you need
to consider.
• Time and energy:
Puppies require a lot of time, patience, training and supervision. They
also require socialization in order to become well-adjusted adult dogs.
This means they need to be taken places and exposed to new things and new
people. If you have a young child who already requires a lot of care and
time, you should ask yourself if you will have enough time to care for a
puppy as well.
• Safety:
Puppies, because they’re babies, are fragile creatures. A puppy may become
frightened, or even injured, by a well-meaning, curious child who wants to
constantly pick him up, hug him or explore his body by pulling on his tail
or ears.
• Rough play:
Puppies have sharp teeth and claws with which they may inadvertently
injure a small child. Puppies also tend to jump up on small children
and knock them down. All interactions between your child and puppy will
need to be closely supervised in order to minimize the chances of
injuries.
• Advantages of getting
an adult dog: Adult dogs require less time and attention once
they’ve adjusted to your family and household routine, although you’ll
still need to spend time helping your new dog with the transition to his
new home. We will work with your family to better gauge how hardy and
tolerant an adult dog will be of a child’s enthusiasm and you can choose a
pre-trained dog that is right for your family. As a general rule, if
your child is under 6 years old, it’s best to adopt a dog that’s over 2
years old. Although puppies can be a lot of fun, and it’s exciting and
rewarding to help them grow into wonderful companions, they do require
significantly more time to train and supervise than an adult dog.
What breed is best?
• Size: Very
small breeds of dogs, such as toy poodles or Chihuahuas, may not be good
choices for a young child. These dogs are fragile and may become easily
injured when around rambunctious children. They also tend to be more
easily frightened by a lot of activity and noise. Frightened dogs may snap
or bite in order to protect themselves. Larger dogs or sturdier small
breeds, like pugs or beagles, are often better able to tolerate the
activity, noise and rough play that is an inevitable part of living with
children.
• Breed type:
Some of the sporting breeds, such as Labradors and golden retrievers, can
make good pets for families with children. Breeds that have been selected
for protective behavior, such as chows and rottweilers, are not usually
recommended. It’s sometimes difficult for this type of dog to comfortably
tolerate the many comings and goings of children and their friends who may
be perceived as territorial intruders.
• Temperament:
While generalizations can be made about specific dog breeds, it is just as
important to consider a dog’s individual temperament. A dog’s personality
is shaped by both past experiences and genetics. Who will care for
the dog? It’s unrealistic to expect a child, regardless of age,
to have sole responsibility of caring for a dog. Dogs need basic
things like food, water and shelter, but they also need to be played with,
exercised and trained on a consistent basis. Teaching a dog the rules of
the house and helping him become a good companion is too overwhelming for
a young child. While responsible teenagers may be up to the task, they may
not be willing to spend an adequate amount of time with the dog, as their
desire to be with their friends usually takes over at this age. If you’re
adopting one of our pre-trained dogs, you must be prepared and willing to
be the dog’s primary caretaker.
Starting Off Right
Below are some guidelines to help you start off on the right foot.
Remember, children should never be left alone with a dog or puppy without
adult supervision.
Holding: Have
your child sit in your lap and let the dog approach both of you. This way
you can control your child and not allow him to get carried away with pats
that are too rough. You are also there to teach your new dog to treat your
child gently.
Petting and giving
affection: Children often want to hug dogs around the neck. Your
dog may view this as a threatening gesture, rather than an affectionate
one, and may react with a growl, snap or bite. You should teach your child
to pet your dog from underneath the dog’s chin, rather than hugging him or
reaching over his head until your child and our pre-trained dog have
bonded.
Giving Treats:
Children tend to become somewhat fearful and anxious when a dog tries to
take a treat from their hand. This causes them to jerk their hand away at
the last second. The dog may then jump up or lunge to get the treat, which
may result in the child being knocked down. Have your child place the
treat in an open palm, rather than holding it in his fingers. You may want
to place a hand underneath your child's hand to help guide him.
 Supervising Play:
Children run with quick, jerky movements and have high-pitched voices.
These actions are highly stimulating to a dog. Consequently, your dog may
respond by chasing or jumping up on your child. Encourage your child
to play quietly around the new dog until both become more comfortable with
each other. Your dog also needs to learn which behaviors are appropriate
and which are not.
Possessions: Your
dog won’t know the difference between his toys and your child’s toys until
you teach him.
• Your child must take responsibility for
keeping his playthings out of your dog’s reach.
• If, and only if, you catch your dog chewing
on something he shouldn't, interrupt the behavior with the "Na" command,
then give him an acceptable chew toy and praise him lavishly when he takes
the toy in his mouth.
• Don't give your dog objects to play with
that could cause confusion, such as old socks, old shoes or old children's
toys that closely resemble items that are off limits. He can't tell the
difference!
Children sleeping with their pre-trained dog
Here is an area where you are sure to get
plenty of advice from friends and relatives. Half of the advisers will
tell you to never let the dog in the bedroom, and the other half will tell
you to let your child use the dog as a pillow.
The real question should be whether the dog
and the child will benefit from sharing the room. In most cases, our
housebroken dogs can sleep through the night, there is great benefits to
allowing the two of them to share at least the room, if not the bed.
Children usually sleep better knowing their friend is watching out for
them. (Use caution in children under five, as the dog may use the child as
a pillow).
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™
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2003-2007
This site designed and maintained by Glen "Allen" Simpson, all rights
reserved
Last updated on
08/02/2008 10:57:38 PM
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