The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [67]
Once you’re satisfied with their responses, it is time to make this dog adoption truly a family affair. Teach children the right way to greet and respect the new family dog — and all dogs. Explain to them that when a dog tucks his tail, yelps, or tries to wiggle free from bear hugs, he wants some space. Point out that when a dog approaches them freely and stays by them, these are positive signs that the dog enjoys their company.
After you adopt a dog, set up a schedule that lists who is doing which chore/activity each week for the new family dog. Put this schedule in a prominent place, such as on the refrigerator door, for easy access to check off completed tasks. This schedule can reduce the chance of forgetting to feed the dog or taking him for a needed walk.
To ensure success, include your children in discussions on caring for your dog. Often, kids can offer great suggestions and be part of the solution when it comes to any behavior problems in your dog.
DOG BITE SAFETY
Doggone Safe (www.doggonesafe.com) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing dog bites through education. According to the group, dog attacks are the number one public safety issue for children. In addition to The ABCs of Canine Introductions on page 211, kids should learn “to be a tree” when approached by a rowdy, threatening, or unfamiliar dog. This means stand perfectly still with your branches (arms) at your side and your eyes on your roots (feet). Stay in this position until the dog leaves or help arrives.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG FOR A CHILD
Many of us are blessed with fond memories of our childhood dogs. I was lucky to grow up with Crackers, an overweight beagle, and Peppy, a high-energy Border collie mix. Crackers moved quickly only when she smelled a plateful of food. Peppy behaved like a canine bar bouncer, swiftly ushering away any dog who dared to step a paw on our property.
Any time you adopt a dog, especially if you have young children, it’s vital to do your homework about various breeds. The diverse dog world includes itty-bitty canines like the Chihuahua and mountain-size ones like Saint Bernards. To a certain extent, pure-breds possess particular temperaments — golden retrievers are accurately named for their sweet, sunny personalities. They usually love everybody, but there are exceptions. I’ve met bashful Jack Russell terriers and boisterous King Charles cavalier spaniels.
I tell you this so that you do not lock into a dog’s breed as the sole indicator of temperament. Mixed breed dogs make wonderful pets also. Remember that environment plays a keen part, too, in how dogs act and react. Dogs, like people, fill their brains with memories: good and bad, happy and scary. What happens to them as puppies can influence how they react to similar scenarios as adults.
In a household with children and working parents where time is a precious commodity, my advice is to consider adopting a young adult dog instead of a puppy. A young adult dog will most likely have passed his chewing phase, and will be house trained and possibly have some basic obedience training. He will probably have received his puppy vaccinations and be neutered or spayed. Depending on the dog’s personality and age, he could also be calmer than a high-spirited, active puppy.
If you are interested in a particular breed, I suggest contacting a breed rescue group or other dog group that fosters adoptable dogs in family homes. You will get more details on the dog’s personality and how he or she reacts to home settings — kids, adults, other pets, and even the vacuum cleaner. Most come house-trained and, with any luck, are past the heavy-duty chewing puppy phase.
Clingy Canine
Q Our sweet but clingy Australian shepherd came to us from a breed rescue group about a month ago. Teddy follows us around the house like a shadow. Sometimes when we come home from work, we find that he has shredded a sofa pillow or stolen the sponge from the kitchen and chewed it up. He always rushes to greet us and seems very anxious. We feel terrible