Puppies and children are both young of heart and mind, so it is vital that you as an adult set the stage for interaction between the two.
Before the puppy arrives at your home, ground rules need to be set and one must take the time to teach children how to act around a dog. Concentrate at first on teaching the child about puppies. There will be time later to teach the children how to act around dogs they do not know.
Children need to be taught how to handle a puppy in a safe and secure manner. Never let young children carry around a puppy. The youngsters don’t understand that carrying a puppy by the tail or leg can lead to serious injuries. Puppies tend to wiggle around a lot and this makes it too easy for youngsters to drop them.
Children must learn that all puppies are fragile. The little fur balls are easily excited and can be rather rambunctious. When in an excited state, the puppy can hurt the child as easily as the child can cause harm to the puppy.
There are a few rules you should establish with children before you introduce a puppy into the household. Make sure they understand that toys need to be picked up and put away or there is a good chance that the puppy will destroy them. Puppies cannot differentiate between their toys and those of children.
Teach children to let sleeping dogs sleep. Explain that the puppy needs his or her rest to grow big and strong.
Children must be taught that they should not discipline a puppy. Discipline is for adults. If you allow the child to hit the puppy, chances are good that you will end up with a neurotic or aggressive dog.
Children need to learn that a puppy is their friend. Puppies are not toys. They are living, breathing creatures with needs. Teach the child to nurture the puppy.
Teach children to never bother a puppy while he or she is eating. Puppies, especially those who were forced to fight their littermates for food, can be very protective of their food.
Once the puppy arrives at your house, have the child sit on the floor before attempting to interact with the puppy. That way the puppy will not be threatened or taken by surprise.
You will need to teach older children the proper way to pick up and carry a dog. One arm should be placed under the puppy in the area of the ribcage behind the front legs. The other arm should be placed underneath the rear of the puppy.
Teach your child to not get too close to the puppy’s face. Puppies can unexpectedly bite without meaning to be hostile.
An adult should always supervise any situation that allows the puppy and young child to interact. Make sure neither the puppy nor the child gets carried away during playtime. It is easy for both the puppy and the child to forget the rules in an exciting situation and this can lead to injury.
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