Adopting or acquiring a puppy so that a child can grow up with you is a very good idea for many reasons known to many of us. Not only do they end up being the best of friends, but taking care of a dog helps children to be aware and develop such important values, among others, as responsibility and patience.
But having a dog at home with small children leads us to take into consideration many factors that must be controlled and taken into account. While it is true that children mature at different speeds and ages, as an adult you can get an idea of when the child is ready to assume certain responsibilities and duties to take care of his furry friend. According to Kay Cox (Arizona, USA), animal psychologist and teacher, it is extremely important to teach and educate both the child and the dog on how they should interact with each other.
Kay Cox has developed a series of recommendations based on different age ranges of the child to try to describe the responsibilities and things to consider between children and dogs. In any case, each child will be a different case and it will be necessary to always be aware.
Very important: keep in mind that even with the best dogs, better trained and accustomed to children, they can become aggressive at some point and under certain circumstances. Therefore, we will never leave children and dogs alone. An adult must always be present. This maxim applies to both dogs and any animal in general.
Photo: Ivette Ivens
Babies
Obviously a newborn baby cannot take care of a dog, but we must work to make the arrival of the baby at home as normal as possible and make the dog feel like part of this important change. The dog should not feel relegated by the new situation. Kay Cox suggests these steps:
- Before the baby comes home, start spending exclusive time doing things related to the baby. You have to begin to understand that there are times when you will not be able to keep an eye on the dog.
- When the baby arrives, make sure they get to know each other carefully. No jealousy A jealous or very excited dog can be hostile. That is why it is very important to remain calm and be attentive to any reaction from the dog.
- When the dog reacts positively, give him a good number of compliments. He deserves it! 🙂
- Don’t stop paying attention to your dog. In the end he is also your ‘hairy son’ and needs your attention.
- When home visitors come to see the baby, Cox recommends giving them treats and making them feel part of the situation. That he is not displaced at any time.
Up to three years
Before we know it, young children are beginning to walk and function on their own, but they are not yet in control of their arm and leg movements. You must control their movements and ensure that they are always careful and respectful towards the dog. The child must always respect the dog and it is our responsibility to watch over and work for it.
On the other hand, the dog will have to get used to touching their toys and the food and water bowls. And also for children to ‘invade’ your bed as one more game. Although children should not touch the bowls, for hygienic reasons, it is almost impossible to prevent them from doing so. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell the kids not to. They will end up doing it. Children are very fast!
Always be very gentle with the dog and with the child and use reassuring words like: ‘slowly’, ‘suaaaave’ in the form of whispers to calm the situation. Dogs learn by imitation.
Once again: never leave a child alone with an animal, not even while leaving the room. Never. No matter how docile and good the dog is.
From three to six years
From the age of three, previous work done up to then should have provided a powerful bond between child and dog. The child may begin to participate in certain dog care tasks. Children can help you put food, water, brush the dog as a game, … Always under supervision. Don’t expect a child at that age to remember that the dog has to eat and drink every day and must play with him. But if we begin to make him participate in the necessary tasks, we will promote in the child the value of responsibility from a very early age.
At six years of age children should already be actively involved in keeping the dog. Give them food and drink, clean the bowls when necessary, etc … That they begin to be aware that having a dog means carrying out tasks and responsibility.
And to finish. Although it is true that to do everything described above it is necessary to invest time and effort on the part of everyone, you will see that the reward you will get will be priceless. The bond that boy and dog will establish will be incredible. And it will be one of the best things you can do so that your human son and your dog son, and therefore, the whole family in general will be even happier if possible. In addition, you will be fostering respect and love for animals in the child, to make your child the best possible human being.
