The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [66]
THE ABCS OF CANINE INTRODUCTIONS
Most children love dogs and will rush up to pat a strange dog on the street or in a park. In many cases, the dog is happy to meet a new friend, but it is better to take it slowly and make sure the dog likes kids as much as the kids like the dog. Help children remember the proper way to greet a strange dog by reciting these ABCs.
ASK PERMISSION. Never run up to a dog. Check with his owner to see if the dog is friendly and if you can touch him.
BE SNIFFED. Give a dog time to check you out by slowly holding out your hand and letting him smell you before touching him. Don’t stare right at him or bend over him — these actions can seem threatening.
CAREFULLY STROKE HIS BACK. Many dogs do not like to be patted on the head (many kids don’t like this either!), though they might welcome a gentle scratch around the ears or under the chin.
Kids Dying for a Dog
Q Our kids have been bugging us to adopt a dog. My son is age seven and my daughter is nine. They promise they will feed, walk, and play with the dog. Are they old enough to be responsible in caring for a dog? My husband and I both work. Should we say yes or wait?
A Caring for dogs develops responsibility and self-esteem in growing children. I’m frequently approached by parents wondering if their children are too young or at the right age to adopt a dog. By age seven, in general, children are mature enough to recognize that dogs, just like people, have feelings and need kindness and care. The actual skills necessary to care for pets, though, depend more on a child’s ability to take responsibility and exercise self-control than on an age group. I know some seven-year-olds who are extremely attentive and capable of feeding, watering, exercising, and playing appropriately with puppies and dogs. I know some immature twelve-year-olds who could not be relied on to feed a dog his daily meal even once.
You know your children’s maturity levels. Spend some time with your spouse going over scenarios involving your children. Do they exercise proper caution by asking people if they can pet their dogs before bounding up to a dog? Do they complete their family chores on time? Do they take care of their toys? How do they act around pets belonging to friends and relatives?
You and your husband also need to ask questions of yourselves. Are you willing to take on the added responsibilities and costs (in terms of both time and money) of bringing a dog into the family? Are you willing to care for the dog when your children grow up and head for colleges or careers? Some dogs can live up to 18 years and longer. You could be caring for a senior dog with medical problems while your young adult children live hours away. Be candid with yourself and with each other.
Parents need to make canine caregiving an opportunity, not a punishment, for children. If your son doesn’t do his homework or your daughter forgets to take the garbage out, don’t punish them by telling them they must now walk the dog. Never make caring for the dog seem to be a burden or punishment to your children or they can develop resentment and anger and take it out on the dog.
Finally, round up your children for a family heart-to-heart talk. Remind them that dogs, unlike toys, are living, breathing animals with feelings. Then seek answers to the following questions:
Why do you want a dog? Because you love dogs or because you think you’ll look cool around your friends?
Are you willing to attend dog-training classes?
Will you help feed, water, and exercise your dog every day?
Will you treat your dog with love and kindness even if he piddles on your carpet or chews your favorite book or accidentally scratches you when playing?
Can you handle dog hair or drool on your favorite pair of black jeans?
Will you bathe your dog and clean up after him?
Can you respect that dogs sometime need to be left alone, especially when sleeping?
Will you teach your dog commands and fun tricks?
Will you obey leash laws when