Diamond Paws

Dogs & Kids

(Article used with permission from Karen at Kittycatfurballs. All copyrights belong to her. Please see our links page to visit her web site)

If you have a dog or plan on getting one you need to first be aware of the responsibilities involved if there are children around. You should not chain your dog outside as it is one, not fair to the dog. Would you like to be hooked up around your neck with limited places to go? Didn't think so. This also can cause the dog to not be too stable and can become aggressive. Have a nice fenced in area for the dog. Let him have some freedom and it will make him feel safe from intruders. Fences will also keep neighborhood children out and your liability fears down.

Children need to be taught how to act around a dog. Never approach any dog without the owner clearly stating it is safe to do so. They may look cute and friendly but when they bite the arm or face off a child, it will be too late. Screaming kids can irritate any dog and make them turn to attack. Dogs are known to break free of their leashes and if a kid runs or screams, which they should be taught "not" to do, the dog is very likely apt to chase down the kid and cause harm. If you don't want to worry about kids roaming into your yard, getting bit by your dog, then get that fence up. For the life of the child and the dog!

Most dogs, even those that are well-trained, do not consider children as figures of authority. Since children frequently stare intently at animals, a dog may feel threatened by this short person who is trying to catch him. Even the best natured dog may bite to protect himself in these circumstances, especially if he feels cornered. Once a child is given permission to approach a dog, she should present her closed fist for the dog to sniff. This protects the fingers in case the dog is frightened and tries to nip.

Children should never hug a dog that is not their own, and should only hug their own dog very gently if the dog can tolerate the hug. Children should be taught to never hit dogs with their hands or an object, to lower their voices when playing with the dog, to leave the dog alone when he's sleeping, eating, or ill, and to never tease a dog in any fashion. Many dog bites occur because the child teases the pet beyond endurance. If you think your child fits this category, then maybe now is not the right time to get a dog. The dog should never be left alone with a child less than five years of age. A young child may challenge or injure the dog unintentionally and the result could be tragic. Dogs and children should be separated at snack time so the dog doesn't learn to steal food from tiny hands.

Dog owners share the responsibility for bite prevention as well. They should socialize their puppies to small children at an early age. Socializing can be as simple as walking the dog near a playground where children are making noise, running about, playing ball or Frisbee or soccer or walking through the neighborhood while the kids wait for the school bus. The dog can be told to walk at heel through a crowd of children, to sit-stay and watch the play or allow the children to pet his head, to down-stay until the end of the game. Constant exposure of this type will accustom the dog to the presence and antics of children. Best bet is to see a trainer and make sure your dog is professionally trained and you stick to it.

If the dog has access to a fenced yard, owners should make sure that neighborhood children cannot accidentally or intentionally tease him. Kids often begin by goading the dog to bark, then to snarl. Or they may throw things at him to chase him away from the fence. However it begins, the end result is usually the same: the kids learn that teasing the dog gives them a feeling of power tinged with the possibility of danger and the dog learns to hate kids. This hatred may be manifest as fear or as aggression, and may end when a child is bitten and the dog is taken to the pound to be placed in a new home, if not put down.

The sight of a child and a dog napping together on the sofa or the floor, playing in the yard, or contemplating the sunset is a wonderful thing. Families can accomplish this by teaching the dog and the child to respect and cherish each other. If this can be done, fewer children will be bitten and fewer dogs will be euthanized for aggressive behavior due to the ignorance of its owners.

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