Having a puppy at home can bring not only joy but also benefits for your child. A dog boosts your child’s self-esteem, teaches them to be responsible and caring. But unfortunately, not all dogs and children become best friends right away, so parents need to be prepared to teach both the puppy and their child how to behave so that their interactions are always safe and pleasant.
Choosing a Pet
Many people imagine an idyllic picture of a puppy and child growing up together. But there are a few things to consider before getting a pet under 1 year old.
A small puppy requires a considerable amount of time, patience, care and training. It also needs to interact with other dogs in order to grow up well. It will therefore need to be taken to different places to get to know different environments, objects and people. And if you have a small child who also requires a lot of attention and care, first ask yourself if you can find the time the puppy too.
A puppy is a small, cuddly creature that can frighten even the friendliest, most curious child, who wants to hold this cute creature in his arms, cuddle it close to him, and sometimes tug its tail or ears.
Puppies have sharp teeth and strong jaws, which can accidentally injure a small child or jump on and knock them down. So your child’s play with your puppy must be closely monitored at all times to prevent injuries.
Of course, a puppy brings a lot of joy to the home. And watching it grow into a wonderful companion and friend rewards all the time spent on care and training.
But getting an adult dog has its advantages too. An adult four-legged dog that has become accustomed to your family requires less attention and time. Of course, a new dog needs some time to get used to its new home, but you’d be surprised how tolerant and patient a dog can be with your enthusiastic puppy. Even better, if you can buy a dog that has previously lived in a family with young children. One of the unwritten rules is that if your child is less than 6 years old, it is best to choose a dog over 2 years old.
Which breed is the most suitable?
The first thing to look out for is size. Very small dogs, such as toy poodles or chihuahuas, may not be suitable for young children as they are very fragile and can be easily injured by a mischievous child. But such dogs are easy to frighten, especially if there is a lot of noise and action around. And a frightened dog may attack or bite suddenly in an effort to protect itself. Larger dogs, or sturdier small breeds such as the pug or the hound, are more used to the noise, the constant action and the messier games that are inevitable when little ones are around.
A sporting breed such as a Labrador or a Golden Retriever can make a great family friend. But breeds that tend to protect their territory, such as, like the Rottweiler, are not recommended, as such a dog may not tolerate the constant comings and goings of a child and his friends, who may be perceived as intruders.
Sheepdogs such as the Border Collie tend to herd children. They may therefore chase the child or try to nip at its soles.
While it is possible to talk about the basic character traits of one breed or another, the individual temperament of each dog should be taken into account, which depends both on past experience and on genes.
Care of the dog
Don’t expect your child to be dedicated to caring for a new four-legged friend. A dog requires food, water, housing, constant play, training, house rules and good behaviour. Such tasks are often insurmountable for children. While responsible teenagers can sometimes take good care of a pet, they also want to spend a lot of time with their friends, who often take precedence. So when getting a puppy for children, remember that the main you will be its caretaker.
Beginner’s guide to communication between a child and a dog
If your child wants to pick up the puppy, it is best if the puppy is sitting down at the time. Small puppies are constantly wriggling and squirming and can easily slip out of your hands and hurt themselves or become frightened, and may nip or bite in response.
When a puppy is teething, it chews on everything under its teeth. And that could be the hand of a child playing with it. It is therefore advisable to have a rubber toy that the child can give to the puppy when playing with it. This can also be seen as a positive incentive for holding the dog.
Children like to hug dogs by the neck, but the dog may not see this as an affectionate gesture but rather as a threatening sign and may bite, nip or even bite in response. The child should be taught that it is better not to hug the dog or touch its head, but to scratch its chin. It is also important not to stare directly into the dog’s eyes.
Giving something to a dogIn uni, the child often becomes impatient or frightened and may grab your hand at the last moment. The dog may jump on the child or attack in response. The child should therefore be taught to give food by placing it on the outstretched palm of the hand rather than holding it with the fingers. In the beginning, before the child is too excited, you can put your own palm under the child’s hand.
Children run around a lot and make sudden movements when playing. But their voices are quite shrill. This may not appeal to a new dog, who may chase and knock the child down. Therefore, before the dog gets used to its new owners, the child should be taught to play a little more calmly. It is also important to show the dog what it can and cannot do.
The dog will not understand the difference between his toys and the child’s toys until you teach him. The child’s toys should always be kept in a place where the dog cannot reach them. But if you find your pet chewing on something it shouldn’t be touching, discipline it with a loud, stern tone, then give it a suitable rubber toy, and give it plenty of praise when it picks it up in its teeth. It should not be