Whenever you add a dog to your loved ones it's essential to take some precautions. Even when you have been told how the dog behaves well with children you will need to bear in mind that this dog has not become used to your particular children, and that is a vital thing to remember.
A dog can feel overwhelmed by children so you must let your dog approach all the kids rather than the other way around. If the kids approach the dog, the animal will feel probably under threat and could snap at them in self defence.
Let the child sit down quietly and encourage the dog to come to them by offering the animal some titbit or little snack. Next time let the kid offer your dog a toy encouraging the dog to fool around a little. Tell the kids| never to stare at |the dog as this is considered threatening behaviour in accordance with the dog. When the dog approaches the child, and tell the kid to stroke the dog underneath the chin or on his chest, by no means go to stroke the dogs head, the animal will feel more secure if he can see where you hand is going.
Dogs don’t always like to be hugged or cuddled unless he's familiar with this from an early age. Children love to do this, especially if they have had a previous dog that got used to this way.
The household should take time over this and watch carefully what the dog likes and does not like and let him understand in a slow but sure way what is what.
After everyone have been introduced, tell each one to let the dog have his own space so he can investigate his new area in his own time. It could be a good suggestion to buy a new game for the children at the same time, to offer them something besides the novelty of a brand new dog to play with giving your dog independence to roam and discover. All children need to be taught that a dog is mostly a companion and isn't a toy, also explain that loud noises and screams will disturb the dog and to play more calmly.
Certain dogs like collies tend to be more of the herding variety and their instinct is always to nip at the ankles which will make the child run around. This have to be stopped instantly or it's going to become a nasty habit. the dog should be taught not to jump up at the children and the children need to be taught never to over excite the animal. Adults must supervise at all times to start with and youngsters less than ten years of age should never be left with a dog unaccompanied. Be extra careful with dogs who are of their senior years as they could have hearing and seeing difficulties, it is quite easy to startle them, when a dog is scared he could behave inappropriately.
Dogs feel like they're a part of the family so it is best to treat them as such, perhaps when you purchase a toy for the youngsters you might consider buying some dog toys to keep everyone happy.
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