Training Children and Dogs to Live Together Peacefully and Lovingly
By Vincent Y 

Children and dogs - the relationship should not be lightly taken as the urban jungle is slowly engulfing us. The dog is the only direct contact with Nature. The toddler romping with the puppy gets the feel of fuzz and understands the bark. It is another form of vital education that no school can give.

The fur in the nose and food is good for immunity. The bond between children and dogs is good for all round human development. Dogs are being used as a therapy for depression but unless the story starts from childhood it is difficult to be effective.

Man and dog have been inseparable from time immemorial. But today certain medical precautions have to be taken where dogs and children are concerned. The first thing is that of dog-child matching. All dogs are not for all children and vice versa.

Dogs that have genetic programming of aggressiveness are no-go inside children’s homes. Big dogs out of boisterous playfulness might knock over the child and cause serious injury. Exposure of too much of barking is not good for green ears.

The pairing is not children and dogs but the triad of children, dogs and parents. Busy parents of young children who already have their hands full with the child should think twice before bringing in another puppy.

No decision should be taken on the spur of the moment on the general assumption that a dog is must for a child. If anything happens to the contrary the poor canine is unfairly blamed. Ultimately the parents of course are the guardians of the dog.

Before bringing the puppy home make the home puppy proof against accidents. . The puppy will need time to adjust and so it is best to tell the child to avoid too much attention for the moment. It is best that the dog learns to sleep on its own bed from day one to avoid later behavioral problems.

There is another twist to the story of kids and dogs. What happens when the newborn child enters the house after the dog? In the beginning the dog will be curious. Soon it will accept the newcomer as a part of the scene but do not neglect the dog.

Go out of your way to fuss over the old member and just like other siblings things will work out fine. Trouble will start when the toddler will invade the doggy area. Here again firmness, love and rules of the individual homes work better than any professional advice in children and dogs relationship.

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