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• BEHAVIOUR
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• TRAINING
  • Introduction
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• PERFECTLY PUPPIES
  • Introduction
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  • Children and pets
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Children and pets

Puppies and dogs are incredibly smart. No one has to tell them that your child doesn’t hold the same authority or power or ability as an adult. They feel this intuitively. They will not respond to correction from your child like they will an adult, so please don’t expect your dog to take your child seriously. You need to be the one to do the correction and training. You need to supervise activity between a child and a dog. The most common problems we hear about are ones involving children.

 There are two reasons for this:

1. Children usually will handle dogs in ways the dog does not like to be handled.
   
   
2. Puppies and dogs don’t see children as authority figures. When a puppy continually mouths, nips, growls or has another inappropriate behaviour toward a child, it is not because puppy is dominant, aggressive or alpha. It is because puppy is doing what they do naturally and trying to establish pack order. If you are allowing your dog to be with your children unsupervised and problems occur, it is not the dog’s fault, it is yours. You need to help your dog and child by being close and being aware of what is going on, so you can step in and correct when necessary.
   

The following points are important to remember and consistency in implementing them should lead to harmony between your children and your dog

• When you bring a dog home, DON’T let your children play with him constantly.  Puppies in particular need a lot of rest, just like a growing child.  Limit puppy-children play sessions to 15-30 minute periods, 2-3 times a day.  Also, remember that your puppy is not a toy for the children to pat, poke and pull around.
  
  
• Young children may be tempted to shout at a dog if they think he’s doing something wrong or squeal with excitement when playing.  Be sure that your children understand that puppies and dogs can be easily upset and frightened by loud noises and high pitched squealing.
  
  
• No teasing!  Keeping a toy just out of reach will reinforce bad habits such as jumping up, snapping and excessive barking.
  
  
• Wagging tails and play biting can be too rough for some young children. Supervise interaction closely and separate them if the play is too rough.  Don’t always “punish” the dog by shutting him away or putting him out of the room – instead, get the children to sit down quietly for a while until both they and the dog have calmed down.
  
  
• Teach your children to care for a dog by showing them how to feed and gently groom him.
  
  
• Never encourage your child to try and take your dog’s food or toys or treats from him – this is how accidental nips can happen.
  
  
• Teach your children to respect the dog.  To give him time to be in his bed dozing if he wants.  Teach them to never pester the dog when he’s sleeping or eating.
  
  
• Discourage your children from putting their arms round the dog’s neck and trying to hug and kiss him.  Most dogs do not like being hugged or kissed – they do not see a hug in the same way as humans do and can feel threatened and vulnerable.

Copyright © Dogs & Co 2009 unless otherwise stated

Updated July 2009