Training A Dog To Be With Children

Children should be used to being around dogs. Dogs love children and can be a great companion to them. Children who grow up without dogs around them may gradually develop a fear of them, which will stay with them all their lives, and in may even bring them a fear of all animals and of nature itself.

Bearing that fact in mind, as long as the parents are inclined, and have both the patience and the desire to go the full course with a dog, and not cast him or her aside as soon as the novelty wears of. If the parents realize what a worthwhile addition a dog can be to a family, they should take the careful steps to find a suitable pet, as well as making themselves well aware of one or two critical facts involving bringing a new puppy home.

The most prominent fact and one that that the new owners must never allow themselves to forget is that dogs are supposed to members of packs. A dog's instincts will automatically teach them to look for the leader of the pack, and where it stands in the order of things. The new puppy will automatically regard his new owner and its instincts will force him to provide protection to his pack leader from anyone outside the pack. The dog will also recognize that people or animals that stand taller than them are above them in the pack and people who are smaller than them are behind them in the pack order.

As the dog's training progresses and it becomes more used to being around the family then the puppy will recognize that the children are all members of the same pack. They do not represent a threat.

Children who are older and can communicate with their new pet should be encouraged in as many ways as possible to communicate with the dog. To take and active part in its training and take it for walks and make it feel comfortable around the family.

In certain cases, dependant on the dog's personality, they may begin to develop a need to protect their pack, against what they consider intruders from outside. This is a potentially very dangerous phenomenon, especially when the dog begins to grow. It may begin to develop aggressive behavior towards visitors to the family home, either other dogs, and sometimes adults or children. If this characteristic is recognized in the dog, it must be attended to immediately. However, being mindful to socialize your dog all through it's life should minimize this.

Children, who see a dog wagging its tail, may misconstrue this signal as a sign of friendliness. First, children should be taught not to approach dogs they do not know, that this is an important introduction and must be done right. Children should be taught to slowly approach the dog slowly and warily preferably with a hand outstretched as a sign of friendship. If the dog appears to become less tense, then it is possible to pat the dog, and soon the ice will be broken. If the dog bares its teeth, or the hairs on its back stand up, they would be well advised to keep their distance all together. Dogs that are eating, and especially have a bone, should always be treated with respect, even if they are known to the family. Food is a major issue with dogs and of the wrong message is sent out. They may feel that their food supply is under attack, and may respond accordingly.

Even the most "child friendly" dog will instinctively retain the right to defend itself when it feels that it might be attacked. In the pack, or in the litter they came from, a nip has an accepted meaning of "stop that." A child may not read the dog well, or not respond calmly. A nip that a child pulls away from can be a tear and cause more damage then the pup intended. Taking that into account, and explaining it to the children, can reduce and probably eliminate altogether the possibility of any real chance of your children being attacked by your family pet or by any other dog.