Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what fond memories are made of and part of a joyful childhood. But sometimes tragedy does strike. What should you do to prevent an accidental attack?
The first caution for parents is to NEVER leave very young children (pre-school age - under six) left unattended with a dog. If you trust your dog then you likely do not believe that the dog will suddenly choose to attack. However, the dog is not much different than a small child itself. If a dog is unintentionally harmed or feels threatened it may bite in self-defense, just as small children may push or scratch another child when they feel threatened. Do not subject your dog or child to possible harm by leaving them alone to play. Your dog is not an adult. Always supervise dogs and children and you will be preventing a problem from occurring.
Discourage your children from hugging and kissing their dog as most bites to the face happen this way.
Regardless of the age of your children you should discourage roughhousing with the dog. Some of the larger breeds can generally handle rougher play, such as Newfoundlands and Boxers, without becoming agitated. Other large breeds may become irritated by ear pulling, grabbing and other play and accidentally harm your child. Large breeds may even knock over a small child unintentionally.
On the other hand, smaller breeds sometimes hurt children because they feel threatened by overly affectionate mauling or fear being stepped on. In these cases they may bite or scratch in an effort to protect themselves from harm. It is recommended that roughhousing should be discouraged with all breeds.
You should seriously consider fully training any dog you choose as a family pet. While some trainers may feel that the owner is adequately qualified to take on this task, you may wish to consider having your dog professionally trained if possible.
Incorrect training can actually lead to behavior problems. Owning a fully-trained dog will give you the peace of mind you are looking for when selecting a pet for your children.
These are just some of the points to consider when bringing a dog home for your children. By taking the time to understand and learn about dogs before bringing one home, you are more likely to find the life-long friend your children deserve!
Shannon Emmanuel is a freelance writer and the author of 'How to Select the Best Dog or Puppy for Your Children'. Find tips and information on dogs for children at http://www.best-dog-breed-for-children.com
Chicago limo Skokie ..How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
The 4th Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long... Read More
All puppies are small dogs ? some, however, won't be... Read More
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic... Read More
Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More
I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
Newer doesn't always mean better.Adopting an older dog may be... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
I'm a dog lover who believes that every dog owners... Read More
Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Potty Training Your Puppy:Make sure you feed your dog at... Read More
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More
For most cat owners, training their cat to use the... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
With ancestors who were a breed of tenacious terriers, most... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More
Pet |