How To Make The Kids and Dogs Relationship A Positive One
April 26 is National Kids and Pets Day! When it comes to families, many generally include kids and animals, although sometimes it can be difficult for everyone to get along. Some breeds of dogs are more prone to love kids while others may have a harder time. Same goes for children; some kids naturally get along with dogs while others may be more reserved around them. Here are some ways to help ensure a good relationship between your children and your dog.
One way to start is by using what Karen Pryor’s Clicker Training site calls “management.” This means controlling the environment in which the child and the dog will be in. If you know that the dog is a bit fearful of kids, be sure to put the dog in their crate and/or keep them occupied with a toy so they don’t get so stressed out with a child being around. Another good way to ensure a good relationship is starting early! Teach the child at a young age that the dog is not scary but is someone to be loved and cared for. This way your kids also learn to not be too rough with the dog, helping to make sure there are no accidental bites occurring. [Read more…] about Kids and Dogs: How to Help Teach Them to Respect One Another