|
DOG
LESSONS - Young Children & Pups
|
 |
Have You Chosen
a Dog You Can Love?
For as long as I can remember there has been a dog around our home. We’ve
had muts, dogs with long pedigrees, rescued
dogs, and dogs we’ve looked after while other
members of the family were away on holidays.
The purpose of this article is to flag some
issues a potential dog owner needs to think
about when introducing a pup into a home where
there are small children. I start from the
belief that dogs and children go together like a
horse and cart. However, because of a child’s
unpredictability there are, however, a few
issues that need flagged.
Not every dog is suitable for a child and
equally not every child is suitable for a dog!
From my observations most of the problems arise
with children under the age of six. If you are
thinking of taking a dog into your home when you
have children of this age then you must think
long and hard before making the decision.
My main concern would be with large dogs. The
majority of larger dogs have been bred as guard
dogs, or have a history of aggression, they are
generally high-energy dogs and if excited may
well knock children over.
Parents with a small family are generally very
busy people, more so if it’s a one parent
family. Question. Have you the time to look
after a high maintenance dog like a Dachshund?
Here is a smallish dog, they’re comical and
entertaining and don’t really need a lot of
exercise. They also socialize well with people
and other family pets and have a long life span.
But the longhaired variety will need constant
brushing and combing, and both it and the smooth
variety shed more hair than you might think.
They also tend to have a ‘distinctive odour,’
which may be unacceptable around children. From
a vetenary view point an alarming number become
crippled or paralyzed in middle age due to disk
disease in their long backs.
Now I’m not knocking the Dachshund, it is a
lovely animal, I’m using it by way of
illustration with and asking would this fit in
your families lifestyle?
It's not my intention to make recommendations
because every family situation is different;
what is right for you may not be right for you
next door neighbor!
Now you’ve carried out your research, the next
step is to gather up the essentials and
puppy-proof you home. Your puppy is going to
need a place his own space, a cage or crate will
fit the bill. Purchases one that is big enough
for him to use as an adult.
The pup will need food and water bowls, toys to
chew on and play with, a collar and leash, a bag
of a good quality dry puppy food, and plenty of
newspapers!
When the puppy arrives try and insure it has
some settling in time, a day or two, before the
children play wit it. Set down rules for the
children and ensure they stick by them. I
strongly recommend that a dog is not allowed to
sleep in the bed with children, it can cause
medical and behavioral problems.
Its vital that you teach your children how to
treat the dog, plan on spending lots of time
training the dog and the children. A dog is for
life so spend the time now to avoid difficulties
in the future.
Educate yourself. Buy and read training books:
consider enrolling your puppy in an obedience
class. Well-trained dogs are a joy to be around
and a requirement when children are involved.
A common worry for parents is how a dog will
react when a new baby comes along. This is a
major subject in its own right but generally
speaking most family dogs do not react badly.
Like the other children they will be curious and
may feel left out but these feelings soon pass.
Problems start when the baby becomes a toddler
it's then both toddler and dog get in each
others way! My personal opinion is that by this
time the dog will have come to know and accept
the child and will even be protective towards
it: but safety must come first, I recommend, not
separation, but keeping them apart as much as
possible.
Like all things to do with dogs a little common
sense goes a long way and if you know your dog
there should be few problems.
*
Please note that the opinions of the
dog lessons articles do not
necessarily reflect the opinions or
practices of any or all employees of
dog-bed-directory.com.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|