Todays post is one that comes from my last lesson today but I actually see on a regular basis. And the topic tonight is families with kids and dogs and managing both.
One of my most common complaints in households with this dynamic is that the dogs are nipping, mouthing or biting the children. And what I most commonly see when going into the household is a dog that regards the human children as littermates and another dog to play with. But how did we get to this stage??
First, children are usually smaller and become more of the size of the dogs in question, thus automatically making them better playmates. Second, the children may not have enforced any good behaviors in the dog or have tried and the dogs have not listened. This creates a dog that feels the children are nothing to be listened to as they can’t reenforce what they say. Third, and MOST important, is the children are actually starting and encouraging the nipping and biting behaviors by their actions sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly.
The video below, which I feel is a must see for EVERYONE, is talking a little about how children’s behaviors with the family dog can lead to the staggering statistic which is 77% of dog bites are from the family or friend’s dog.
So what can we do to stop that number?
1. Watch the Video EVERYONE (even if you do not have children or dogs you might be able to pass this on to those that do)
2. Learn what behaviors are appropriate for dogs and children to be doing around each other. If you don’t know or are unsure ask a professional for help to determine if the behaviors in your household by your children and dog are appropriate.
3. Learn to Advocate for your dog if the children are too rough
4. Learn to Advocate for your children if the dog is too rough
5. Seek professional help if at any time you think you need it, the sooner the better, it could not only save your children from a dog bite but your dog’s life
Visit the website below to learn more information on how to prevent dog bites in your household.
http://stopthe77.com