TRAINING A DOG FOR CHILDREN

Many people have had bad experiences with dogs and children. Some children do not like dogs; some dogs do not like children; and sometimes you can find both at the same time. If you have children, and you want a dog, you may have the concern that they might not be compatible. As the last thing you want is an ill-tempered dog who is not safe to be around your children, you may be thinking about giving up the idea of getting a dog altogether.

In most cases, this extreme is not necessary. You can have a dog who gets along very well with your children-- one which your children will love!

Training a dog to be a good companion and playmate for your children is not difficult. It does, however, require teaching appropriate behavior to them both.

Choosing a dog who does not display unnecessarily aggressive behavior is important when he will be living with small children. If he has a pleasant disposition, he can be trained to play nicely and be cooperative with your children as well as with you. It is equally important for your children to know that your new dog is not a toy; immediately subjecting a new dog to unfamiliar rough play can cause him to become aggressive or nervous. You don't want your dog to bite your children, believing that he has to defend himself, nor do you want him to be afraid of them.

While it is very important to let your children know that they must be gentle and considerate with your new dog, it would be wise to not leave him unsupervised with very young children. If you let your youngsters and your new pet get accustomed to each other slowly, and in your presence, it is the most beneficial way of introducing them to each other and helping them to form a compatible relationship.

When you have young children, it is a good idea to take the prospective new dog's personality into consideration before coming to a final decision. A dog who is playful, yet reasonably well-behaved, will be the best possible match for your youngsters.