Canine Safety and Kids | Animal Behavior College Blog | Training | PupstoPet

How to Introduce Dogs and Children to Each Other

Dogs may be great companions and playmates for kids—and vice versa. However, the youthful the kid, the extra cautious you have to be throughout their first encounter.

Children usually tend to be bitten by a canine just because they have an inclination to maneuver erratically, are hardly ever conscious of the impact of their actions, and are usually fearless. Almost half all canine chew victims are youngsters youthful than 12 years previous.[1] Fortunately, by beginning with a really fundamental protocol, you’ll be able to safely start to introduce your canine to a baby.

1. Keep Control: Have a prepared means to securely and shortly take away your canine away ought to their interactions develop into too compelled.
2. Initial Positions: Have the kid sit both on the ground or a chair and ask her to remain calm and nonetheless whereas your canine begins his preliminary “sniff test.”
3. Never go away a baby alone with a canine: Children 10 years previous and youthful ought to at all times be supervised when interacting with a canine

In addition to the above fundamental steps, there are a number of different issues you are able to do to assist preserve youngsters and your canine(s) protected after they’re collectively.

Spay or Neuter Your Dog

Unneutered canines are thrice extra prone to chew, in accordance with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). In truth, roughly 70 p.c of reported canine bites had been from intact males. If you’ve got a canine, notably a big breed, it’s crucial to have him neutered. This is very true if a canine goes to be residing in a setting with a baby.

Start Training Early

Never assume your canine is so well-behaved that he won’t ever harm a baby. Both youngsters and pets can have a nasty day. It solely takes one unhealthy chew to hazard the life of a kid and/or a canine. The finest answer is to start coaching and socialization (of each species) early on in life.

At the minimal, youngsters ought to perceive that they can’t yell, bounce, scream or chase canines. Pulling ears or tails, touching ft or different delicate areas are additionally off limits. Children ought to perceive that canines will not be toys nor are all canines the identical.

Similarly, your canine ought to know that barking, biting, leaping, grabbing, scratching others or resource-guarding is just not acceptable conduct. Your canine also needs to be taught that youngsters will not be toys. Dogs and kids may be simply taught with optimistic reinforcement. First and foremost, respect for each other must be your main coaching focus.

Provide a Safe Retreat

Your canine ought to at all times have a protected place to retreat to in case he turns into agitated or overly excited. If your canine is crate-trained, have it close by throughout his first interactions with a baby. However, simply because your canine has a protected place doesn’t imply he’ll use it. Children should be taught canine’s crate is a particular kid-free.

Restrain Your Dog

You ought to at all times have some type of management over your canine throughout his interactions with little one. You ought to preserve your canine restrained till you’re feeling protected and cozy with a baby’s conduct, in addition to the one that you love pet’s. If you continue to suppose your canine doesn’t require any restraint, understand that 60 p.c of all canine assaults happen on the canine’s dwelling or in another acquainted place, in accordance with the HSUS.

Supervised Meetings

Any conferences must be supervised by a accountable grownup. You ought to by no means go away your canine, notably a big one, alone in a room with a baby. Earlier thanYouGetAPet.com recommends canine by no means be left alone with any little one beneath the age of 10.

Do Not Force Interaction

You must be very accustomed to your canine’s physique language and cues. Being in a position to gauge his response is essential in preliminary conferences. If your canine turns into too excited or shows indicators of concern, lead him away and distract with treats or a favourite toy.

Children must be taught from a really younger age that each canine is totally different and never all will reply in the identical means because the household pet. They also needs to be taught to respect canines, irrespective of the setting or state of affairs. In addition, simply because one little one is well-behaved together with your canine(s), doesn’t imply different youngsters will likely be.

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[1] Golab, G. C., PhD, DVM. (2001, June). State Advocacy: A Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention (summary). In 140th Annual Convention American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved March 5, 2018. Doi https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Pages/dogbite-summary.aspx#references