It is much easier to be pregnant and already have a dog who eagerly awaits the arrival of your baby as the "new pack member," than it is to bring in a dog later and to build a relationship between the dog and your toddler. If you and your spouse decide you want your young child to grow up with a dog, then start off on the right foot. You do not want to cause unnecessary jealousy, dog possessive behavior, dog dominance, or even dog attack! With these key steps, you can make the process a happy and rewarding one
Take your toddler and any other children around friends' dogs who are accustomed to little ones and patient with them. Instruct your child in advance how to treat the dog. Should he start pulling on the dog or jumping on him, correct him promptly. Children must be taught to understand that dogs are living creatures. Dogs can be hurt, they have feelings, and they deserve respect. It is not "puppy in my pocket."
Read to your child books about dogs and age appropriate stories which teach valuable lessons about respecting and caring for animals. You will want to have your child as involved in your dog's care as he can be. This will both teach the child responsibility, and further the respect the dog has for the child's position in the "family pack."
Teach your child not to mess with a dog's toys or to take his food. No dog should aggress toward the child for touching his things, but the child needs to respect what belongs to the dog.
What if a dog growls at your child? Do not discipline a dog for growling. That's a warning. If you do, the dog will learn to bite without warning, and then you have a real problem. If a dog growls at your child, tell the child "enough is enough" or the dog will teach him.
It is not acceptable for a dog to bite a child, and that could cause a child to have a lifelong fear of dogs. Early trauma is the hardest to conquer. However, if the child hurts or threatens a dog, the animal is going to respond with a corrective nip. He will treat the child like an obnoxious pup in the wild. It is quite understandable dog instinctive behavior, and can you really blame the dog?
In preparing your child for a pet, take him on walks with dogs, too. Let him learn to stay calm, and not to be too much of a distraction for the dog. Toddlers instinctively understand leadership, control, and authority, and your child will learn from your example to have a healthy relationship with a dog, while also learning the right and wrong ways to correct one.
Always supervise dogs and children, for the curious poking or other action that instigates a problem and even dog attack usually occurs behind adult backs. So do not be too quick to blame the dog if your child is nipped. If the dog is otherwise pretty tolerant, then understand that the child probably pushed him beyond his limits and, understandably, the dog said: "Enough is enough!"
If you are selecting a new dog for your household pet, do your homework. Know the breed's characteristics and requirements, and evaluate carefully the individual pup's temperament and background. For example, when picking a puppy for a child, you do not want the bouncy one. A hyperactive dog and a hyperactive three year old do not mix! You want the sweet, little pup who appears mellow and observant. That one has the potential to be a loving canine companion you for your child. Or choose a well-trained, gentle older dog, but select wisely.
It is always advisable to take a professional with you who really knows how to judge if any symptoms of problems are there. You should also take the child with you when you bring the dog home, but the dog's introduction into the household is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that every child deserves to grow up without fear of dogs and without pain of dog attack -- but with the rewarding relationship of a BEST CANINE FRIEND! Just take your time and do not rush things too fast or too hard
GET HELP from Rena Murray at the Dog Obedience Training website. An accomplished Dog Behavior Modification expert, Dog Obedience Trainer, and Platinum Expert Author, Rena provides self-help Articles and free "Best Ezines"-recognized newsletter: PAW PERSUASION POINTERS to help you better understand communication and control of your dogs, debunk dog training myths, explore right and wrong dog training techniques for specific situations, address destructive dog behavior, excessive and obsessive dog behavior, and other canine issues, from new puppy to old dog. Subscribe for free at PawPersuasion.com, visit Rena's BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/, find the dog products, crates, and gifts you need at PawPersuasion.com, and Contact Rena for Coaching
