The Family Dog
"We are what we repeatedly do.Excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit"
The Family Dog sometimes it is difficult for children to understand that the family dog may not always welcome their attention. It may seem hard to believe, but most bites to children are by the family dog or other dogs known to the child. Kids (and parents) assume that because the dog knows, likes or loves them that it won't bite them. Dogs don't think this way. A dog may snap or bite in annoyance because the child is bothering it in that moment, whether the dog loves the child or not.
Here is an example with which most kids can identify...
When you are home at night watching TV or reading a bedtime story you might like to sit on your Mom or Dad's knee or have them whisper "I love you" in your ear. However if you are out on the soccer field or at school with your friends or acting in the school play you might not want to sit on a parent's lap or have them run out in the middle of the game or the play to whisper in your ear. It's the same for dogs. If they are busy doing something, or interested in another dog or a squirrel, or they are tired they may not want to have attention from you that they might enjoy at other times.
A dog may indicate that it wants to be left alone by leaving the room, showing a half moon eye, yawning or licking its chops when the kids are bothering it for weeks, months or even years before finally getting to the point that it feels it has no choice but to bite. Parents often tell us that the dog bit without warning, but there is always a warning. Many people simply do not recognize the warning signs, even though the dog has been exhibiting these for weeks, months or even years.
We are not saying that all signs of anxiety that we describe on the body language page indicate an impending bite. What we are saying is that the dog will tell you if it is uncomfortable in a situation with a child (or with you). As a parent and/or dog owner it is up to you to educate yourself and your children so that you all know what the dog might be feeling. Dogs give us a lot of love and joy and we know that you want your dog to be happy and to have a great relationship with the family. Learning about dog body language and emotion and developing empathy for dogs is a great way to help improve the relationship with your dog.
Read an excellent article about whether dogs bite "out of the blue". Realize that even the nicest dog can be pushed to the point of biting if multiple stressors come into play. Read an article that explains how this can happen.
Other People's Dogs and Play Dates
You may not care about maintaining a good relationship with a dog, you just want to keep yourself and your kids safe. Dogs are everywhere and whether you love them, hate them or are indifferent, you and your kids are going to encounter them. It is important even for children who have dogs at home to learn that other people's dogs may not be as nice and tolerant as their own dog. Everyone will benefit from understanding dog body language and knowing when it is best to leave a dog alone, or even to ask the dog's owner to put him away if you are visiting. If you or your child is uncomfortable around a dog, don't be shy! Ask the host to put the dog away. You could say something like this: "That is a lovely dog. I know he is friendly, but we are a bit uncomfortable around dogs. Would you mind putting him in another room or on a leash?".
If your child is going to visit at a playmate's house, ask if they have a dog and whether the dog will be confined when your child visits. If you are going to leave your child in a home daycare where there is a dog, be sure to visit, meet the dog and ensure that the dog will not be a threat to your child. Click here for an article that describes the things you should look for in deciding whether it is safe to leave your child with someone who has a dog.
More Topics Teresa's Bad Rules - dog bite prevention rules
Baby Safety and Preparing the Dog for Life with a Baby
Baby Grows Up- the dog's attitude toward the children can change as they grow up and as the dog grows older
Growling at the Kids- never punish your dog for growling at the kids (strange but true)
Here is an example with which most kids can identify...
When you are home at night watching TV or reading a bedtime story you might like to sit on your Mom or Dad's knee or have them whisper "I love you" in your ear. However if you are out on the soccer field or at school with your friends or acting in the school play you might not want to sit on a parent's lap or have them run out in the middle of the game or the play to whisper in your ear. It's the same for dogs. If they are busy doing something, or interested in another dog or a squirrel, or they are tired they may not want to have attention from you that they might enjoy at other times.
A dog may indicate that it wants to be left alone by leaving the room, showing a half moon eye, yawning or licking its chops when the kids are bothering it for weeks, months or even years before finally getting to the point that it feels it has no choice but to bite. Parents often tell us that the dog bit without warning, but there is always a warning. Many people simply do not recognize the warning signs, even though the dog has been exhibiting these for weeks, months or even years.
We are not saying that all signs of anxiety that we describe on the body language page indicate an impending bite. What we are saying is that the dog will tell you if it is uncomfortable in a situation with a child (or with you). As a parent and/or dog owner it is up to you to educate yourself and your children so that you all know what the dog might be feeling. Dogs give us a lot of love and joy and we know that you want your dog to be happy and to have a great relationship with the family. Learning about dog body language and emotion and developing empathy for dogs is a great way to help improve the relationship with your dog.
Read an excellent article about whether dogs bite "out of the blue". Realize that even the nicest dog can be pushed to the point of biting if multiple stressors come into play. Read an article that explains how this can happen.
Other People's Dogs and Play Dates
You may not care about maintaining a good relationship with a dog, you just want to keep yourself and your kids safe. Dogs are everywhere and whether you love them, hate them or are indifferent, you and your kids are going to encounter them. It is important even for children who have dogs at home to learn that other people's dogs may not be as nice and tolerant as their own dog. Everyone will benefit from understanding dog body language and knowing when it is best to leave a dog alone, or even to ask the dog's owner to put him away if you are visiting. If you or your child is uncomfortable around a dog, don't be shy! Ask the host to put the dog away. You could say something like this: "That is a lovely dog. I know he is friendly, but we are a bit uncomfortable around dogs. Would you mind putting him in another room or on a leash?".
If your child is going to visit at a playmate's house, ask if they have a dog and whether the dog will be confined when your child visits. If you are going to leave your child in a home daycare where there is a dog, be sure to visit, meet the dog and ensure that the dog will not be a threat to your child. Click here for an article that describes the things you should look for in deciding whether it is safe to leave your child with someone who has a dog.
More Topics Teresa's Bad Rules - dog bite prevention rules
Baby Safety and Preparing the Dog for Life with a Baby
Baby Grows Up- the dog's attitude toward the children can change as they grow up and as the dog grows older
Growling at the Kids- never punish your dog for growling at the kids (strange but true)
1. Learn Your Dog's Native Language. Dogs communicate in body language signals that take place in context. Some cues are very subtle like lip licking or suddenly smelling the ground when something scary comes into view. Others are super obvious like growling or flipping over on their back. Dog body language seems difficult for some people to understand because we tend to put human emotions onto our animals which ends up being incorrect interpretation whats actually taking place, also known as anthropomorphism. Their language is pretty simple to understand and FUN once you know what to look for! Bonus, you get to tell your friends that you can "speak dog" and help them understand, too!
So why is this important? The best thing you can do for your dog is support them fully throughout their entire lives, no matter what behaviors or situations pop up. Seems simple.. and you might be thinking to yourself "But of course I already do that, I love my dog(s) more then anything in this world!!" and no doubt that is true BUT how can you support them fully without understanding what they are communicating? That leads us to rule number 2 below!
2. Avoid confrontational body language. Respect how dogs communicate - what is confrontational body language? Why does a dog perceive this at confrontational? Eye contact, shoulders curled, bending over, hovering, hugging, extended touch, your face in their face, kissing the face.
Tie into confrontational
2. Is the dog you're interacting with trapped? Four sides - square method
3. Three second pet rule. Gains trust, allows dog to move away
4. Chin up shoulders back. Create an open and inviting space to allow the dog to move in and out.
5. Let a sleeping dog lie -- while eating, chewing bone, the couch, coffee table.
6. Sticky Situations
7.
So why is this important? The best thing you can do for your dog is support them fully throughout their entire lives, no matter what behaviors or situations pop up. Seems simple.. and you might be thinking to yourself "But of course I already do that, I love my dog(s) more then anything in this world!!" and no doubt that is true BUT how can you support them fully without understanding what they are communicating? That leads us to rule number 2 below!
2. Avoid confrontational body language. Respect how dogs communicate - what is confrontational body language? Why does a dog perceive this at confrontational? Eye contact, shoulders curled, bending over, hovering, hugging, extended touch, your face in their face, kissing the face.
Tie into confrontational
2. Is the dog you're interacting with trapped? Four sides - square method
3. Three second pet rule. Gains trust, allows dog to move away
4. Chin up shoulders back. Create an open and inviting space to allow the dog to move in and out.
5. Let a sleeping dog lie -- while eating, chewing bone, the couch, coffee table.
6. Sticky Situations
7.