TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

By Adam Bailey

Teaching your children to respect dogs (and all animals) What’s more beautiful than the sight of a child with his or her beloved dog? But sadly, in reality, many children haven’t been taught how to respect and treat dogs, sometimes resulting in dogs being rehomed or even euthanised when a child gets growled at, nipped or even bitten after teasing or

mistreating a dog. Teaching your children how to behave around animals, and dogs especially, can be the difference between long and happy days with your dogs and a really bad situation where children and dogs can both get hurt.

RESPECTING BOUNDARIES

No matter how adorable dogs are, they do have boundaries. For example, knowing that your dog doesn’t like to be disturbed whilst eating is vital information that your children need to learn. Perhaps your dog doesn’t like to be picked up or teased with a toy? You need to understand your dog’s own unique personality and likes and dislikes and teach your children to respect those boundaries. As a rule, dogs don’t like to be disturbed when they’re eating or sleeping, and they don’t like children sitting on them. A dog won’t be happy if it’s being teased, poked or prodded. They don’t like their hair or tail being pulled. Learn how dogs communicate discomfort, irritation, pain or displeasure. Growling and baring teeth

don’t always necessarily need to be interpreted as aggressive; sometimes they’re simply ways your dog’s telling you to back off. Teach your children how to understand a dog’s body language and when to back off. Lead by example and supervise your children’s playtime with your dog closely.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS

It’s so vitally important to teach your kids to respect animals so that they’ll also respect humans and our planet as a whole. Empathy is an important thing for children to develop, and teaching your children to respect animals can impact the way they view environmental issues and respect for nature and our planet as well. A great way to teach children about animals and how to respect them is by observing them in their natural environments. It’s a wonderful bonding and teaching opportunity to observe and learn about the birds, insects and lizards in your own backyard. Or visit shelters or sanctuaries and help out in

some way, either by volunteering, collecting food, toys and blankets, or by helping to walk, groom and care for the dogs in the shelter’s care.

BE WISE

I’ve often seen posts on social media of a toddler sitting on a dog, and you can see that the dog isn’t comfortable and is in distress. Is it fair to let the dog go through this discomfort, and then, if he or she does growl or snap, it’s the dog’s fault? Here are a few things that you need to teach your children (and their friends when they come over to visit) –

• Teach your children to always ask an adult before approaching a dog (or any other animal) they don’t know. This is especially true for those that are service dogs and are working.

• If an adult says the dog is friendly, reach out your hand with the palm facing up and gently move it towards the pet’s nose for sniffing. Don’t touch the dog’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genitals.

• Always pet a dog gently, with no pulling or tugging, and never from behind. Don’t let your child sit on a dog.

• Never leave a young child unsupervised with a dog. Accidents happen, even with the most trustworthy children and pets.

• Never approach any dog, even your own, when it’s eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or caring for its young.

• Don’t make loud noises or sudden moves when approaching a dog.

• Don’t let your child touch a dog or stand near him during times of heightened excitement – like when your dog’s barking at something.

• Teach your children not to provoke or tease a dog. Half of all attacks to children are

• considered provoked.

• Make sure your children understand that a dog is a living creature to be cared for and

• respected.

• Tell children that animals have needs and feelings, and they rely on us for love and care.

• No hitting, kicking, or biting a dog!