Dog Training and Child Awareness

If you’ve recently inherited a new furry family member and are concerned about your children interacting with the new pup, Harvey Dog Training has the perfect tips to ensure the safety of your family and comfort of your pets.    

From Chihuahua’s to Rottweiler’s, it should come as no surprise that all dogs are capable of harming a child, regardless of the dog breed or level of training. Why, you may ask? Because much like humans, dog’s also have a unique way of protecting themselves if they feel threatened or uneasy.

I often have clients tell me that their dog would never be responsible for hurting their child, regardless of what they did to the dog. Although many know the importance of dog training and discipline, many dog owners have unreal expectations of their dogs and fall into a false sense of security, which leads them to become over confident and complacent.

Here’s the plain cold truth: No matter what breed of dog it is and regardless of how much dog training they’ve had, given the right set of circumstances, it will bite a child if provoked.

In order to establish a well-balanced and safe family environment in which dogs and humans can live harmoniously, it is first imperative to accept that dogs are not robots; much like humans, they too have a different set of values and a unique process for understanding right from wrong. As they comprehend language and signals differently to us humans, it is important that all interaction between a dog and a child is closely supervised. 

If you’ve recently added a new furry family member to the mix and want to ensure your children know how to interact with the family dog, as well as other dogs, here’s the fundamental lessons to be taught:

1. Stay away from dogs when they are eating or chewing a bone;
2. Never go up to a sleeping dog because the dog may startle and react with fright;
3. Never hug dogs as this can worry a dog and often puts the child’s face right in the dog’s face;
4. Never hit or smack a dog;
5. Never approach a dog they don’t know;
6. Never approach a dog that is tied up; and
7. Always ask the dog owner’s permission and listen to the answer before they stroke a dog.
8. Avoid patting a dog on the head. A safe alternative is a gentle pat on the side of the dog’s neck.

While any dog breed has the potential to harm a child when threatened, it is important that your child is aware of any triggers that could potentially frighten the family pooch, despite how placid or content he or she may seem. Educating your children and adequate dog training will ensure that your pets are in a safe and loving environment.

If you’re looking for an experienced and professional dog trainer in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, please call Harvey Dog Training today on 0414 744 942.