Children and Dogs
Children's Dog-Care Responsibilities
Age********Duties
Up to 5: Help to choose and name the dog. Help adult with brushing and choosing dog toys. Play with the dog; an adult should be present to teach and ensure gentle play.
5 to 8: Help with grooming; play with dog; help put pre-measured amount of food into bowls and provide water. Clean up after the dog — all under adult supervision.
9 to 12: Provide food and water, groom, walk and clean up after dog. Also, should be able to recognize physical problems — such as limping — that may require veterinary attention.
Teen years: Take over feeding, grooming and walking. Run errands to restock dog food supply, toys, etc. Accompany adult to vet and help to administer any care and medication required.
"And Baby Makes Four"
A baby brings tremendous changes in a household. Begin to accustom your dog to any expected changes in daily life a few weeks before the baby's arrival, so he will be comfortably settled into the new routine.
If your pup's been backsliding on training, start reviewing basic obedience. Play a tape of baby sounds and start using baby lotions, etc. so the dog becomes used to baby noises and smells. After the baby arrives, let the dog smell some of the infant's clothes or blankets.
At the actual introduction, one person should hold the baby while another keeps the dog on a leash. Allow him to see and smell, but not touch the new arrival. The dog needs to become used to baby squeals and jerky movements. Feed, praise and play with your dog in the baby's presence so he associates these pleasant experiences with the baby. Be very sensitive to warning signs of fear or aggression. Even if the dog seems to accept the baby, never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog, even the family pet.
Teach Your Children Well — About Dogs
Few things are sweeter than the close bond between a child and dog. Such relationships don't just occur, however, and children, just as puppies do, may require some "socialization" to interact happily with dogs. Since the biggest problems between children and dogs usually arise when adults are absent, supervise your children closely, especially if very young children and/or puppies are involved. But with patience, restraint and mutual respect, your children will remember their childhood dogs as fondly as we do ours.
- Encourage your child to care for the family dog with duties appropriate to the child's age and maturity, but always follow up just to be sure.
- Actively involve the kids in obedience and training. The child should learn the commands used with the dog so that the dog receives consistent messages (although adult reinforcement of a command may be necessary).
- Insist that even the rowdiest and most excitable children treat the dog gently, and with kindness.
- Teach your child how to approach a strange dog (no rushing, shouting, teasing or staring at the dog) by first asking the canine's owner if the dog may be patted. The best is usually to scratch the dog gently on its chest....most if not all dogs love this.
- Don't leave a very young child alone with a dog, even a trusted family pet.
Kids and Dogs
Children and dogs make potentially blissful partners, but choosing a dog that actually likes to play with children is your best bet in orchestrating a match made in heaven.
Generally, sturdier, active dogs love kids, but unless your dog is well-trained, he may pose a risk to your children. Smaller dogs may be hurt by unintentionally rough children, especially those under the age of 3, but a well-trained smaller dog can be a great companion for gentler kids.
Whether it's their first exposure to dogs or not, kids need to be extra gentle around a new dog. Rushing him, playing with his toys before he's secure and being too loud will only scare him and may make him defensive — and possibly dangerous. Supervise your kids' time with the new dog at first, and teach them to play gently. Also, show them the right way to pick the dog up: one arm around the chest, the other supporting the rear. Small dogs, especially, need to be handled with extra care. Larger dogs must be trained to be gentle themselves, lest they get too rough with the youngsters during playtime. However, no matter the size of child or dog , both must be trained to be gentle with each other.
With a shared love of play and adventure, dogs and kids make fast friends — as long as they respect one another. Make sure children understand how important it is to let their new dog have the space he needs — especially at meals and nap-time. Remember, an aggressive, uncontrollable dog is even less desirable when kids are added to the mix.
Both dogs and children need proper "training".