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Your Children and the new Dog
So you’ve done the research and found the perfect dog for your family. But before you bring that new dog home, read below for some precautions to take with your children before bringing the new dog into your home. There is also some good advice on avoiding dog bites and dealing with strange dogs. Often kids that have dogs at home assume all dogs are like their dog.
One simple rule - Be Kind
When bringing a new pet into your home, it is important to teach your children that dogs are living beings, not toys. Below are a few simple principals that will make your children responsible and loving pet owners.
- Treat dogs and other animals with respect. That includes never provoking a dog into growling, barking, lunging, or otherwise acting aggressively. Dogs do not like to be teased however, they do like to play and have fun.
- Do not make loud noises around dogs. Don’t try and scare your dog or sneak up behind it.
- Be kind when petting your dog, soft single strokes are the best
- Dogs have feelings like humans. Don’t think they like to have their ears or tails pulled, be stuck with sharp objects or hit.
- Don’t lock them in air tight areas such as hot cars or boxes.
- Don’t try and ride your dog like a horse. They really are not strong enough to bear the weight of a child and the kid may end up getting hurt from a fall.
- Always try and keep clean water for your pet free of debris and insects
- When your dog is sleeping, let him rest. Dogs need much more sleep than humans
- Never bother a dog when he’s eating or in his crate, special room, or special spot in the house or yard. Dogs can be possessive about certain things.
Do not grab things like bones, balls, or other pet toys from a dog.
Avoid Situations like these
Most dogs love children and can develope a strong potective bond for them and try to protect them. Your dog may even someday save your child’s life. But not all dogs are their friends - make sure your children are aware of the following scenarios and that all dogs may not be as nice as their dog.
- Do not approach strange dogs
- Stay away from dogs that are chained or in fenced yards.
- Always ask before petting a neighbor’s dog--even if you know the dog well. The dog may be sick and your gentle pat may be painful.
- Don’t chase dogs or encourage them to chase you.
- Do not shout, run around, or stick hands at dogs through fences or open car windows.
Bite-Proof Your Children
Since kids spend a lot of time outdoors and on the move they are bound to have encounters with strange dogs. To prevent upsetting or even tragic situations resulting from these encounters, teach your children these rules about how to behave around new/strange dogs.
Little Known Fact
Dog bites are the number one public health problem for children.
In fact, school-age children receive more than 47 percent of all
reported dog bites. Two-thirds of these incidents happen around
the child’s home, and the child knows the dog.
- Never approach a strange dog. Avoid dogs you do not know. Since some dogs will bite when they are afraid, they might bite to protect themselves or their territory.
- Don’t run and scream around dogs. Quick movements and high-pitched squeals can frighten a dog—and frightened dogs can bite.
- Never stick your hand into a dogfight.
Find an adult to help.
- Know what an angry dog looks like.
Barking, growling, snarling with teeth showing, ears laid flat, legs stiff, tail up, and hair standing up on a dog’s back are warning signs. If a dog looks this way, slowly walk away sideways. Shout "No!" at the dog and act like the boss.
- Don’t stare at a dog. To dogs, staring is perceived as a threat, and they can react aggressively towards you. Don’t turn around and run away. Curl up in a ball on the ground and protect your face if a dog attacks.
- If bitten, tell an adult right away.
Remember what the dog looked like, if it had a collar and in what direction it went. Wash the wound with soap and water. See a doctor and report the bite to the local health department.
And Baby Makes Four!
When you brought your baby home, did you notice a change in your pet’s behavior?
Reasons for behavioral changes
Pet is no longer center of attention
Pet may feel neglected or depressed
She may not be receiving any tender loving care
The solution can be actually fairly simple and prevent thoughts entering your head of giving the dog away. Try these . . .
Give pet attention while baby is asleep
When baby is awake, give him more attention so he equates the baby with attention
Encourage guests to give your pet special attention
There are always adjustments to be made when a family grows. Just don’t forget that your pet is part of that family too.
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