In most cases, the dog and the child become best friends.
Bringing a dog home is the greatest joy, especially for children. But a four-legged pet needs not only love but also proper care. Who will take care of it – the parents or the little owner? It depends on how seriously and responsibly the family takes the arrival of the dog. Adults must make sure they are prepared for the event and know in advance what difficulties await them. How to do it right?
How do you teach a child to care for their dog?
First of all, think about whether your child is the right age to take care of a pet. For children under 10-12 years old, a dog is usually just a living toy rather than an object of care. It would be best to wait until your son or daughter is more mature and understands that a dog is not only something to play with, but something to take care of. Of course, it is up to you to prepare your children for such a step.
If your child has grown up and you have decided to get a furry pet, you need to pay paying attention to your child’s personality traits. Don’t immediately ask a hyperactive child to take care of a pet, as even he or she is not able to handle him or herself. Of course, this does not mean that such children cannot have a dog. On the contrary, psychologists advise such children to develop a sense of responsibility in caring for others. However, parents must be prepared for the fact that if they want to involve the puppy’s owner in the puppy’s care, things may not go as quickly and smoothly as expected.
What if a child who has a sense of responsibility in other areas does not want to take care of their pet at all? Maybe it is too complicated for him, because parents explain about caring for the animal in a very complicated way. Adults often do not want to come down to the level of children’s understanding and do not have the patience to explain simple things several times. In addition, a child has a slightly different view of the world, a different understanding of the environment than adults, and therefore needs special attention and care. Explain things in simple terms, don’t say “Well, what’s not to understand?”. The child must they will hear you – just be patient and understanding.
Observe the interaction between the child and the dog. It is good if there is understanding and affection between them. If not, the dog may be jealous because you are giving more attention and love to your child. Or, for example, a mental disorder, an aggressiveness that prevents the pet from attaching itself to the child with all its soul. As a result, the child does not want to take care of the puppy. In this case, it is necessary to deal with the problem, perhaps by going to a cynologist and educating the dog, or, if that does not work, by bringing it up independently.
Finally, pay attention to the knowledge base. For adults, especially if this is the first dog in their life, it does not hurt to learn more about it. You can read books, watch films and programmes about pets, or search for information on websites. However, it is best to seek help from professionals in the field.
Many problems with child-dog friendships can be anticipated or covered up. Then the four-legged friend can beFinding it at home will bring much joy and goodness.
Dog and baby
One of the main psychological character traits of a dog is the feeling of jealousy. This is particularly evident when a dog has lived for a long time in a family without children and suddenly appears in the background when a baby is born.
If you notice his hostility towards a small rival, be sure to control the dog’s behaviour and try not to leave him alone with anything that causes him displeasure. Don’t be in a hurry to give the dog away – just give it more attention and affection until it recognises the child as its own. Because when your puppy starts to walk, there will be a mysterious bond and understanding between the dog and him.
However, you must make sure you explain to your child that a dog is a living creature, not a toy, and that he must not be disturbed when he is sleeping or eating. Also explain that the child should show affection for the dog in moderation, not in exaggeration, and should not take food from the table or lick its face. Fortunately, dogs are quite patient creatures.
Dogs with large sensorys and physical characteristics, are inherently playful. Perhaps this is what explains the intuitive understanding that develops between dog and child, as well as the remarkable trust that children have for the biggest, and seemingly ferocious, dogs. If we compare the dog with other animals, the same cats, horses, birds, although they have a docile and patient character, seem too passive when they look at dogs – they show no initiative.
A dog, however stubborn, can be very forgiving and forgiving. However, once the child becomes an adult and starts to dictate its own rules, their relationship changes immediately. This can be seen when the puppies grow up and the mother stops feeding them. The reason for this change in the relationship is also likely to be that the child’s body (both dog and child) contains significantly more magnesium and potassium than the adult. And the “potassium-magnesium” body odour gives dogs a pleasantly sensitive connection to those who also have the same smell.