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Training A Dog For Children Now Can Avoid A Problem Later |
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Written by Lee Dobbins
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Thursday, 10 July 2008 |
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Unfortunately there are many unpleasant experiences with dogs and kids. Some kids don't like dogs; some dogs don't like kids; and sometimes the feeling is mutual. If you have kids and also want a dog, you may worry that they won't be compatible which is why training a dog for children is key. Since the last thing you want is a bad-tempered dog that isn't safe to be around kids, you might consider giving up the idea of obtaining a dog altogether.
by LeeDobbins
Unfortunately there are many unpleasant experiences with dogs and kids. Some kids don't like dogs; some dogs don't like kids; and sometimes the feeling is mutual. If you have kids and also want a dog, you may worry that they won't be compatible which is why training a dog for children is key. Since the last thing you want is a bad-tempered dog that isn't safe to be around kids, you might consider giving up the idea of obtaining a dog altogether.
Of course, in most cases dogs and kids get along great! After all, they seem to be on the same level and most develop a strong bond, but one can't be too careful and an unfortunate incident can have long lasting effects. For this reason you want to take some extra steps to err on the side of caution.
It is not difficult to train your dog to be both great company and a great playmate for your child. In fact, training a dog for children involves little more than teaching it not to bite and not to jump on small kids. However, both your child and dog will need to learn some basic behaviors for living and playing together.
Choosing a dog who doesn't exhibit unnecessarily aggressive behavior is essential if he is going to be living with young children. He can be trained to play nicely with you and the kids if he has a pleasant temperament. It's just as important for your children to realize that the new pet isn't a toy. A dog might become anxious or aggressive if he is immediately subjected to unfamiliar roughhousing. You don't want him to fear your children or bite them in self-defense.
Although it's extremely important to teach your children to be gentle and thoughtful with your new dog, you should not leave him unsupervised with very young children. The best way to acquaint them and help them form a compatible relationship would be to let your kids and new dog gradually get used to each other while you are present.
When deciding on a dog your prospective dog's personality should play an important role if you also have young children. Training a dog for children is easy if the dog has a sweet personality. If you have really small children, you might want a smaller dog. A dog that is both energetic and can be controlled is a good match for a home with older children.
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