Children and dogs are often an awesome combination. However, to keep everyone secure, there are certain rules to follow to dog-proof your kids and kid-proof your dog!
The main thing to take into consideration when children and dogs interact is that dogs are first animals that respond from impulse rather than reason. No matter how well you may know a dog, he will still attack if he feels vulnerable. Dogs are unpredictable. But with little care and supervision, you can ensure a safe and happy relationship between children and dogs.
Dog-proofing your children:
Children should be trained that all living things have to be appreciated. There are some forms of activities that should be corrected immediately, such as teasing animals or hurting them in any way. When meeting a dog for the first time, educate your child how to approach him correctly. Always ask for permission from the owner to approach the dog. If permission is given, your child should hold his hands out with the palms down to let the dog sniff first. All actions should be kept slow and gentle, without any extra hugging or grabbing the dog. Dogs view any rapid movements with suspicion and any close contact from strangers can be very frightening. Having kids running and shouting around the dog could also bring out his preying instinct and cause him to chase and attack. Never stare a dog directly in the eye or scare him when he is sleeping or eating. If a dog is chained, teach your child to leave him alone as he may feel more threatened if he has no way to run off. Familiarize your children with the danger gesture to look out for when a dog is about to attack. Teach them to recognize signals such as growling, tail between the legs, raised hackles, and ears laid back against his head. If a dog is showing any of these signs, your child should be taught to walk away slowly, never run.
Child-proofing your dog:
Buy your dog from a reputable breeder. Some dog breeds are more violent than others, and you may want to keep this in mind before deciding a pet for your home. Get your puppy get used to children from an early age. If you do not have kids at home, take him to the playground or park so that he is used to small kids running and yelling. It may be advisable to take your dog to a professional trainer and teach him how to behave around children. This will prevent him from barking excessively and jumping/running after children he meets. Keep in mind that dogs think of children differently from adults. Their high-pitched voices could cause dogs to be worried and attack. Also, they may think of small children as little animals or puppies and nip at them while playing. Never leave a dog alone with a child, as even the best-trained dog may bite if he feels attacked or threatened.
One way to keep track of your dog?s location at all times is with a dog tracking device such as the SpotLight or SpotLite GPS pet locator. SpotLight and SpotLite are dog tracking locators that provides you with 24/7 access to your pet?s location. If your dog has wandered off, you can find him in a matter of minutes, using directions provided by these the web-based tracking system. In this way, you can ensure that your dog is always under your supervision and any unnecessary mishap can be avoided.
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