Dogs entering homes with children

For families with children, it is better to choose a puppy that has a good experience with children. For an older dog, see how it reacts to children before letting it come into contact with children. Before a dog comes into the family, children should be taught how to interact with animals. Children should understand that animals are different from toys. Encourage children to take on age-appropriate responsibilities, such as grooming the dog or filling the dog's water bowl.

Older children can learn to train dogs for obedience behavior. These activities teach dogs that children have a higher social status than they do.

Newborn baby and domestic dog

A newborn baby requires parents to spend a lot of time and care to feed it. Spend about the same amount of time with your dog as you do with your baby. If you want to change the dog's daily routine, you must slowly adapt to it, such as where to feed, sleep, etc. Give dogs regular and safe access to children throughout their lives.

Before the baby is born, the dog should slowly be introduced to children's contact methods, such as petting and gently pulling the dog's ears, tail or paws. If the dog accepts these actions, reward them. Teach the dog how to gently take the toy or food from the hand on command.

When the baby and the dog have established a good relationship, reward the dog with praise or food. Yelling at a dog or locking it up can lead to a bad relationship between the dog and the child. Adults cannot socialize with dogs only when the baby is sleeping. Before bringing the baby home, familiarize the dog with the baby's sounds and smells. While the baby is still in the hospital, bring something home with baby scent for the dog to smell.

Teach children how to deal with dogs

Children learn primarily by doing. Many life skills of children, such as crossing the street, grooming and eating, are learned from parents' demonstration to children. Telling children "Don't...!" does not provide children with adequate information or skills. Telling a child "Don't cross the road there" does not mean telling a child where he should cross the road, or why he cannot cross the road there. Telling children to "cross the street from the school sidewalk because there is someone there to ensure that all cars will stop" would be a more appropriate instruction. Children need to learn how to work with dogs, and they need active guidance and direct demonstration.

Show your children how to do what they want to do, tell them what you are doing and why you are doing it. One thing should be taught to children by breaking it down into many small steps.

Tell the children where they can touch parts of the dog, such as the dog's jaw and chest. The dog should be leashed while the parent guides the child through the sequence. Hold the child's hand and teach him the correct patting movements and where to pat. Once the child can do this action continuously, parents can gradually stop demonstrating.

When the child and the dog complete the designated actions, give the childand dogs with rewards. If children and dogs won't cooperate, don't insist. Try again at another time. Don't assume that once this action is mastered, the child will remember the correct sequence of actions and the appropriate position to pat the dog. It takes a little more help and observation for a child to fully master the technique.

When a strange dog comes over

Children are easily excited. Their general response to excitement is to run and scream. This can scare the dog, who is simply curious or wants to play. To approach a strange dog, the dog owner's approval should be obtained.

When a strange dog approaches, tell the children to stand like a sculpture with their hands by their sides. The dog may just sniff and walk away. It is important for children to understand not to make eye contact with a dog, as eye contact with a dog sends a strong message of control, which can be perceived as a threat by the dog.