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Why to Include Dogs and Kids in Dog Behavior Training
December 7th, 2009 | 
Author: Why Include Dogs and Kids in Dog Behavior Training
Its important to include dogs and kids in the dog behavior training. Teaching children how to communicate with dogs is one of the most important training lesson you can give your child. In today’s society, dogs are everywhere and even if the are domesticated this does not mean they are automatically safe. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of dog bite related injuries is the highest for children younger than nine years old.
Benefits of including Dogs and Kids in Dog Behavior Training
This is where dog behavior training comes in. Dog behavior training is meant to prevent or correct bad habits such as biting, barking, nipping or begging, jumping on people, and whining at the dinner table. It is crucial that dogs and kids participate in the training for the following reasons:
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- Kids often interact with the family dog more than adult family members do. Children therefore have the most influence on how the dog interacts with its humans, and lay the groundwork for future Dog Behavior Training.
- Children may encourage bad behavior in dogs, such as table begging, nipping and jumping up. Involving children in Dog Behavior Training will teach them to recognize such behavior as undesirable, and get them invested in preventing it.
- Little ones may tease or be cruel to a dog, inadvertently causing the dog to develop anxiety-based aggression. Stopping the problem before it begins will reduce the need for extensive Dog Behavior Training.
- Dogs must become gradually acclimated to children’s gestures. Kids engage in behavior that is naturally provocative to dogs, such as running, jumping, screaming and sprawling on the floor. By participating in Dog Behavior Training, children will learn not to provoke the dog.
- Children are at eye level with the pet. Dogs may therefore view children as equals, rather than leaders. Kids should learn how to respond when they become the object of a dog’s amorous embrace, or “humping.” Once children understand that this is a form of dominance aggression, they can learn how to respond appropriately to stop the behavior. However, with small children, adults will have to intervene by pulling the child away from the dog and disciplining the dog with a stern “no!” As you will learn in Dog Behavior Training, never hit the dog.
- Children need to learn to interpret their dog’s signals. An important part of Dog Behavior Training is teaching the child to read body language. For instance, when the dog hides or backs away, it means that the pet does not want to play. Pursuing a reluctant dog can lead to distancing-behaviors, such as nipping. Tail tucking is a sign the dog is scared. A fully wagging tail signals happiness, but if only the tip of the tail is wagging, the dog may be signaling aggression. A raised tail and bristling fur on the back of the neck may mean an over-eagerness to play. The child should be taught to back away slowly. Running away may cause the dog to chase and tackle the child. Understanding the subtleties of dog tail signals will prevent injuries.
Supervised Dogs and Kids Dog Behavior Training
When introducing dogs and kids, proceed cautiously and provide constant supervision from the outset. Learning how to approach and touch a dog is the first step of Dog Behavior Training. Kids may offer treats on a flat palm with fingers close together, and keeping the hand below the dog’s chin. Patting on the head is not a good idea, as it may signal dominance aggression to the dog. Instead, once the dog’s confidence has been won, the child should stroke the dog’s shoulder or back.
Dog and kids interactions should be supervised because the child may injure the dog or puppy. Only allow children to hold young puppies while sitting down. Have a chew toy available if the puppy is teething so that your child’s arm does not become the chew toy. Learning how to properly hold the puppy is an early part of Dog Behavior Training.
Adults should be aware of certain body signals that the dog uses to communicate that it is not having fun. As you will learn in Dog Behavior Training, a pleading look in your direction means the dog wants to escape. Teach your child that the dog occasionally needs private time. With larger dogs, it is best to hold your child in your lap, and then call the dog to you. Monitor the interaction, and prevent the child from petting the dog too roughly. Soon, the dog will come to appreciate the child’s level of energy and enthusiasm for playtime.
Children Benefit from Dog Behavior Training
Taking care of the dog and participating in Dog Behavior Training can increase a child’s self esteem by giving him a sense of responsibility. Because a dog’s life span is relatively brief, the child will observe the life process as the dog ages and dies. Dealing with the pet’s eventual death will help a child learn to cope with grief.
Dogs and kids are a good match, as long as there has been sufficient Dog Behavior Training.
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