Dog Information >>>Dog Behavior Articles >>> Kids and Dogs
When children are brought up with pets, they should be taught to respect the pet and to treat it right. If this not implemented by the adults in the household, there will always be a danger to the kids as well as to the pet. Respecting animals should be part of life's lessons.
Most dog bites to humans happen to children and are typically a pet that has enough of being hurt or mistreated by a child that is allowed to antagonize the animal. One day the dog will reach it's patience limit and feels he has to defend himself the only way he knows how.
The first and most basic step is to show how to approach the dog - don't run at it, don't hug hard around the neck - as some animals may feel threatened or attacked with this gesture. Teach the child to approach slowly and from the side and to pet gently, using their quiet voice.
Provide a safe haven for your dogs. Teach the children that when the dog retreats to their haven, they are not to follow or bother them. This can be the dogs crate or other area.
Young children should be supervised by an adult. A little one may not read the signs the dog is giving to leave them alone. Their warning - a growling or ears back, etc - may not be understood by the child. The dog will normally give some type of signal that it is feeling scared and threatened and may act aggressively in the next few seconds unless the threat is removed.
Teaching children to respect and treat animals with compassion and kindness, will also teach them life lessons that will stay with them the rest of their lives.