Raising children and dogs together may not be as effortless as those reruns of Lassie might lead one to believe. Both creatures are in need of constant attention and care. Don’t get me wrong: I think dogs can make wonderful companions for children, but there are hidden responsibilities and considerations to keep in mind.
Attention, Attention!
Kids love it as much as dogs do and, like dogs, they’re not concerned about whether it’s negative or positive. A lot of times children will tease their dog just to get their parents’ attention. Keeping this in mind, praise all positive interactions. Take time to notice your child when he pets the dog calmly or helps out with the feeding. If you see any rough play or teasing, calmly remove your dog from the situation and isolate him in a crate or private room. Don’t discipline the dog; just remove him peacefully. Ignore your child for 15 minutes to let him know that rough play ends interaction time.
Teasing
Children, especially those under 8 years of age, tease dogs. It’s a fact of life. Although teasing can be minimized, it can’t be eliminated entirely. To help your dog get accustomed to the way children handle animals, mimic it yourself. Pry your dog’s mouth open, handle his feet, tug his coat, and, as you do, praise him and give him treats. The next time you catch your child handling the dog properly, praise them both and let your child be the one to give him a treat!
Excerpted from Dog Perfect: The User-Friendly Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog (second edition), published by Howell Book House, Wiley Publishing Inc., Hoboken, N.J. Copyright 2003 by Sarah Hodgson. Reprinted by permission.
