Doggone Etiquette —

Dogs And/Or Kids

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

What a lucky dog you are if there are good kids in your family! Be really nice to them and you’ll get more attention, lots more play time – and a lot more treats. Maybe you’re still a young puppy just hoping (with your paws crossed) that you will soon be going to live with those neat kids that came to visit you with their parents. They couldn’t take you home right then because it was in the middle of a snow storm, and besides, you were too young. So, to all you puppies, keep those paws crossed! The snow will soon go away and you will be grown up enough to begin a wonderful new life as a special member of a family, maybe one with kids.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

In an ideal world, all dogs and all kids would be a perfect made-for-each-other match, but it is not an ideal world. There are probably almost as many dogs that cannot tolerate children, as there are kids who cannot cope with dogs, or other pets. We cannot always know why a dog is not good with children. It can be the specific breed, but it is often due to an unfortunate first exposure to kids that were rough and rowdy, or it can reflect on how the dog was raised. Fortunately, very few kids retain their shortcomings since the majority can learn to overcome their fear, or intolerance, and see the benefits of having a dog for a friend.       

All this means that the youngsters need to be old enough to understand what they are being taught about their relationship with dogs. It is the basic reason why reliable breeders won’t put a young puppy into a home with a toddler or even with a pre-schooler. Both pup and very young child require constant supervision and guidance, separately and interactively. An exception might be a family with well-behaved older children in addition to that toddling youngster. Disrespectful or poorly behaved children of any age are a good indication that their parents are unlikely to be able to discipline a dog properly either. Sadly, in such a case, it is invariably the dog that gets blamed for the outcome.

Spring is the time of year when people begin the process of seriously considering getting a dog. It ties in with thinking about things like trees turning green, flowers starting to grow and all of our warm sunny outdoor activities. So if that’s you, and if there are kids in your family, do your homework! Study up on the various breeds that are known to be the best choices for children of different ages and activity levels. Certain breeds make wonderful companions for a rather quiet only child, while other breeds are the perfect match for the active outdoor types. The same combinations apply, of course, to any dog-seeking person or family with NO kids!                          

You may be tossing around the thought such as: “How can we use the dog to get Johnny or Susie away from the computer once in awhile?” No problem! Dogs, especially puppies, are eager learners. Get Susie or Johnny involved in teaching the dog by starting off with classes in basic obedience. That teaches the youngster all the best ways to teach the dog so Rufus will respond properly. Nothing pleases a child more than getting a perfect response to their request – even if it’s from a dog! Next they can undertake teaching tricks or become involved in any of the breed, all-breed, or mixed breed activities such as we’ve mentioned here many times. These include fun and/or competitive obedience, agility, lure coursing, and strictly fun stuff such as Frisbee-tossing, hiking and summertime swimming!  

Get the right dog for your kids and they’ll go together like proverbial peanut butter and jelly! And don’t be shy if you have no kids. Get yourself a dog. Your life will benefit from the companionship, activities and even from the responsibility of owning the right dog.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.