8 Important Tips To Keep In Mind Before Introducing Your Dog To A Child (Part 1)

Ready to bring home a dog to your family? There’s no happiness that matches the happiness you feel when you bring home a dog, and everyone knows that! But assume you have a child or a few children at home, what should you keep in mind?

Bringing home a dog to a house full of children is a challenging task, but in the long run, you’ll be the happiest person on the planet! Having said that, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure that the introduction is as smooth as possible. Remember that it takes time, and it’s a gradual process. Check out some important tips to keep in mind before introducing your dog to a child.

1. Dog Knowledge

Let your family know everything you know about your dog’s breed, what works with them, what doesn’t. Tell your family your dog’s temperament, what makes him mad, what makes him happy and what is dangerous for them. Teach them what your dog can eat and what should be avoided, and how to coexist in the same house peacefully.

2. Basic Care and Training

As dog parents, we know that picking up after your dog can be stressful, especially if you have a lot of work on your plate. If you add children to the mix, well, that stress amplifies dramatically. Your family should know how to handle basic dog mess and possibly help around a little. Kids should be taught how often to walk the dog, how often to feed them, and how to play safe. A limited amount of treats should be given to kids to give to the dogs so that they don’t get a tummy ache.

3. Do’s and Don’t’s

Kids should be taught to not disturb the dog when they’re eating or sleeping to avoid unfortunate accidents. They should also be taught to not crawl inside dog cages, or yell at them. Dogs freak out when they’re yelled at, so that’s something to teach the kids. Make a list of do’s and don’t’s for your kids to follow.

4. Dog Body Language

Your kids should be able to tell the difference between a growl and a bark, a howl, and a whine. Your dog’s body language should be understood by all family members so that they understand the message the dog is trying to convey. We all know that dogs can’t talk, so it’s important to understand their body language to avoid unnecessary accidents.

How many of you agree? Let us know in the comments! Watch out for Part 2!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay