Simple But Powerful Ways to Ensure Your Family and Your Dog Get Along
Niall Kennedy
Simple But Powerful Ways to Ensure Your Family and Your Dog Get Along
Dogs and children need your guidance and supervision to live together happily ever after. Here are some tips that will help your family get along.
One of the best ways to introduce your new dog to your children is to ask your children to help you to massage and pet your dog. This will help getting your children used to having the dog around and becoming responsible for having the dog or puppy in the house. Soon it will be second nature and your children will be less unsure of having the dog around in their space. It will also help the dog to be more comfortable when having different people handling her.
If you don't have a dog now, but are getting one soon, start exposing your child(ren) to dogs and how to act around them. Help them learn to respect each dog's space and preferences. Teach them not to approach unleashed dogs. If a dog is leashed always ask the dog's owner first, and then to move slowly. Explain that the dog will want to sniff them, and explain that's how a dog identifies you. Experts recommend keeping hands down along the sides of the body. Dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they don't' need us to hold hands out. Warn the child that if a dog has been abused in the past she may snap at a hand coming towards her.
Just as you will establish house rules for your dog (stay off the couch, etc.) it is important to establish boundaries for children in regards to your pet. Teach your child(ren) to never take a toy from your dog. Dogs are often especially possessive about their toys. Kids and dogs make great playmates, but teach your children that if they play roughly, the dog will respond in kind. Even though the dog doesn't mean to hurt your child, accidents happen. Playing fetch is a better game than wrestling between kids and dogs.
An excellent way for your child to bond with your dog is to take part in training her. Giving her treats as a reward for correct behavior is a delight to kids, and it raises the child's position in your dog's eyes. Just as your dog develops respect for your child, help your child do the same. Teach your children that dogs are living beings with likes, dislikes, and fears of their own. Help them see their pet as more than entertainment, but as a cherished member of the family.
It is important that your child(ren) respect your dog or puppy and respect her as a member of the family and do not see her as a plaything. While petting and playing with the dog is acceptable, and helps the dog exercise, you should not let children abuse the dog by pulling its fur or hitting it, or harming it in any way. You should also make sure that your children do not tease your dog at feeding time. The dog will become ill-disciplined and will not respect you or the regular feeding times that you have established.
While these suggestions might seem negative, you should emphasize to your children the great companionship and love that they can expect when a child and a dog have a good relationship.
About the author: Best Pet Health Information is a resource which will help you find infomation, hints and tips to keeping your dog happy and healthy. http://www.best-pet-health.info This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and live links are included intact.
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
Fire officials were working to determine the cause of a house fire that killed more than 30 dogs and cats in Plano. The fire was reported about 9:20 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Amherst Drive less than half a mile west of Collin Creek Mall, police said. The owners were not at home.
100-plus dogs taken from Catawba home (The Charlotte Observer)
Catawba County animal control officials confiscated more than 100 dogs from a home southeast of Newton Monday, saying the animals were being kept in unsanitary conditions. An anonymous caller contacted authorities about the situation. Animal-control officials found 115 rat terriers and about a dozen Great Danes at the home on Bud Arndt Road, according to Animal Services Manager Jay Blatche. ...
More Than 100 Dogs Seized From Catawba County Home (WSOC-TV Charlotte)
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- Catawba County officers have seized more than 100 dogs while investigating a possible puppy mill at a home southeast of Newton.
More than 100 dogs seized from alleged puppy mill (WCNC Charlotte)
NEWTON, N.C. -- Authorities in Catawba County busted an alleged puppy mill on Tuesday, removing more than 100 dogs from the property. Investigators said an anonymous tip on Monday led them to the home, which is located on the 2400 block of Bud Arndt Road, southeast of Newton.
Police kill 2 dogs that mauled man in Phoenix (East Valley Tribune)
PHOENIX - A city worker was mauled at a northwest Phoenix park by two large dogs, which ripped off the man's clothing and severely bit him as they dragged him through the grass.
Euthanizing N.W.T. man's 34 dogs 'saddest day of my life' for vet (CBC)
The veterinarian who had to euthanize 34 neglected sled dogs in Behchoko, N.W.T., late last week said he hopes something positive can come out of such a sad case.
Dogs attack city worker (12 News Phoenix)
2 American bull dogs attacked a city worker at Mariposa Park at 33rd Avenue and Northern in Phoenix. The man was being dragged across the park by the two dogs when police arrived.
Police shoot, kill dogs after they maul city worker in park (KTVK 3TV Phoenix)
PHOENIX -- Phoenix police say they were forced to shoot two dogs after they attacked a city worker in a park Tuesday morning.
Police shoot, kill dogs after they maul Phoenix city worker (ABC 15 Phoenix)
A Phoenix city worker is in serious condition after he was attacked by two dogs in a city park Tuesday morning, according to police. A passerby called 9-1-1 at about 9:30 a.m. as the 43-year-old man was attacked by the American pitbulls, according to a fire department spokesman.
Dogs attack man at Phoenix park (KTAR 92.3 Phoenix)
A man was taken to a hospital after he was attacked by two dogs at a Phoenix city park Tuesday morning, fire dispatchers said. The attack happened in Mariposa Park, near 33rd Avenue and Northern.