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
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carThe greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More
Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More
Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More
Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world... Read More
Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More
If you have a dog or cat that is an... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Itch, itch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. Does that sound familiar? Hopefully... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several... Read More
If you are looking for tips on breeding tropical fish,... Read More
So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless... Read More
... Read More
Clone a Cat, Go To Jail ...or at least... Read More
Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More
Did you know that more than one million north americans... Read More
Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More
Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More
Their scientific name is Cavia Tschuldi and their nickname in... Read More
There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
Just say the word cancer and any of a host... Read More
What is Canine Bloat?Bloat refers to the bloating of the... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
Selecting a Kitten It is best to choose your... Read More
By Jeffrey Rolocopyright 2004 AlphaHorseIn the dating world many men... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Your dog's dental health is so important for his total... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
Pet |