Kids and Dogs

Hey dog lovers,

Its that time of the week, post day! the best day of the week right? Well it is for me at least. Today’s topic is about kids and dogs and what can go wrong and what to look out for. Hope this post helps parents of dogs or children who are considering getting a dog what to look for and to make a healthy and safest choice for their families.

What can go wrong?

• Startling or hurting a dog A child can easily stumble onto a sleeping dog, yank a dog’s tail or poke a pencil into a dog’s ear. If a dog is startled or in pain, he may bite. Defensive aggression is a natural response in animals, and domestic pets are no exception. Very young children are most at risk. They can’t understand that their actions might hurt a dog, and they aren’t capable of defending themselves if they’re attacked.
• Getting too close to resources Many dogs don’t like to share their toys or food, and they may become aggressive if a child comes too close while they’re chewing on a bone, playing with a toy or eating a meal. It’s hard for young children to understand that it’s not a good idea to approach or reach toward a dog when he has something he values.
• Playing inappropriately Some children find a dog’s aggressive behavior amusing. When they discover that certain actions can make a dog growl, lift his lip or snap, they repeat those actions. If repeatedly provoked, a dog may eventually feel the need to escalate his “message” by biting.
• Triggering a predatory response Some children don’t find a dog’s aggressive behavior amusing at all. Instead, they’re terrified by it. Frightened or injured children often run away or shriek—behaviors that can trigger predatory behavior or aggression in some dogs.

How much should you tolerate?

• Allowing a child to mistreat an animal does nothing to teach her respect for other living beings. It can also put her at risk of injury if the dog she mistreats decides he’s finally had enough.
• Just cause they are a child doesn’t excuse them from their actions against animals teach them how to be gentle and kind to animals

Other tips

• Teach your kids about dogs and how to treat them
• Supervise them until you feel comfy leaving them alone
• Learn your dog’s body language and tolerance levels