Match in Heaven or Disaster Waiting to Happen

Teach Children to Interact Appropriately Around Dogs

Teach your child how to behave when interacting with a dog. They should learn how to handle a dog by tickling his/her chin,  stroking his back, 

Some dogs love a fast game of chase, and love running after your child, but until you know how well the dog will react, discourage this.  Big dogs, especially can over-power a young child very quickly when the two are running.

Explain to the child that dogs dislike it when a person is screaming, shouting or running around. Tell them to keep off the pet’s toys. It is important to let the dog get used to being handled before allowing any interaction with the child.

Children should not hit the dog, pull its fur, jab the fingers in its face or disturb him/her when he is eating. Any of these actions will result in aggression from the dog.

If the dog’s ears are at the back, the fur at his back standing up and the tail standing straight up then these are signs that he can attack.

In case the child finds himself in an encounter with a mean dog, advise him not to look directly at his/her face.

Dogs usually interpret this as a challenge. It is better to walk away slowly to avoid a confrontation. Running will make the dog fiercer.

Strange Dogs Should Be Off-Limits

Discourage your child from initiating interaction with a strange dog. Patting or going too close to the dog can cause an attack.

Make it clear that most dogs are usually hostile toward strangers Dogs tend to be nervous about things that they are not familiar with and respond by fighting back.

Warning your child early enough will keep him/her safe. Teach your child to ask for permission from the owner before interacting with a strange dog.

In case the dog is hostile, the owner will warn him/her in advance. Ask them to stay far away from the stray dog. Stray dogs are marked by a lack of a leash.

They are usually alone instead of being in the company of their owner.

Children and Dog Safety Requires Adult Supervision 

Never leave your child alone with the dog without supervision. These two are likely to annoy and attack each other. Ensure that there is someone to watch over them.

The child can also handle the pet inappropriately causing injury to him/her. Adult supervision is important when a dog is first introduced in a household.

The kids are likely to mistreat the dog without proper instruction. Any mistreatment to the dog should be punished and discouraged.

Warn the child against putting their fingers and hands inside a fence that is guarding a dog. The dog might be hostile and harm your baby.

Research Breed and the Dog’s Background

Go through the dog’s records before buying them. Check if there is any record of violence, aggression or killing. A pet with these qualities is likely to be dangerous to your child.

Some breeds of dogs are also known to dislike children, and you should avoid purchasing such breeds. It is wise to take your child along while buying or adopting a dog. There are some dog breeds that are kid friendly and those dogs should be on your short list

They tend to pick better pets than adults. Though breed stereotypes can be true to some extent, it is naïve to rely on them. Any dog breed can be dangerous to a child.

Baby Gates:  Your New Best Friend

Make use of baby gates in your house. These gates enable the dog and the baby to play without interfering with each other.

It is an effective way of keeping your child safe without limiting the dog its freedom. It also ensures that the baby cannot throw things to the pet and hurt him/her.

Baby gates are usually placed across doorways in the house. However, you can purchase pens that you can use with your dog, just giving him his own space and placing a barrier between the dog and the child

Children and Dog Safety:  Keeping Dogs Safe

How do you keep dogs safe around children?

Children and dog safety is a two-way
affair. In the same way, we minimize possibilities of dogs attacking children; they too should be protected similarly. Many of the same rules to keep children safe also apply where the dog’s safety is concerned

Teach the child to respect the pet’s
privacy. Dogs like to have a particular
spot in the house where they can rest without any interference. The child
should not be allowed to disturb the dog at such times. 

Children should be
taught to avoid screaming or yelling in the presence
of dogs. These actions frighten and distract the dog making them uncomfortable
and developing a tendency to hide from people. 

Teach children to handle the dog
respectfully. They should be kind, humane
and responsible. Encourage gentle interactions between the dog and the child. 

The child should be discouraged from mistreating the dog by grabbing, pulling, hurting, riding or sitting on the dog. If you notice your child punching, kicking or slapping
the dog, you will need to correct that habit immediately. 

The child should
also respect the dog’s things, for instance,
he/she should not snatch his/her toys. Do not allow your child to walk around
with food. The dog will follow him/her while begging;
this is a brutal habit that should be discouraged.

Children and Dog Safety When Expecting a Baby?

If you are expecting a child, it is only fair that you start preparing your dog. Most pets including dogs are disappointed when they have to share your attention with a child.

Some pets are known to become jealous when they notice that the child is getting more attention than them. As a result of this jealousness, the dog might respond by attacking your baby.

Preparing the pet will go a long way in helping him/her cope with the change. According to Nick Honor, a canine specialist this initiative is simple but not always easy.

These preparations include creating a spot for him/her, maintaining his/her routine such as taking walks and familiarizing him/her with baby items among others things.

Seek professional advice on how to handle and prepare your dog. It is important not to leave your dog with the baby before they get used to each other to prevent any attacks.

Best Tips When Expecting for Children and Dog Safety

1.  Give the dog his own area with bed, toys and bowls

2. Maintain the dog’s routine as best as possible.

3.  Familiarize him/her with baby items 

4.  Teach the dog to do a job such as bringing a diaper

5. Always supervise your dog around your baby

Bottom Line:  Every Child Should Have a Pet

Despite all these possible conflicts between a child and a dog, every child should have a pet. The caretaker will have to teach him/her how to behave around the dog. In this way, he/she gain skills on how to handle a dog responsibly.

With these skills, there should be harmony between the child and the pet. There are numerous benefits of letting your child have a pet.

For instance, he/she gets a chance to be gentle, responsible and compassionate. These are qualities that are rarely found in children, most of them tend to be self-centered. The relationship between a dog and a child creates a special bond that lasts for a long time.

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