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A Meeting of the Minds
By Michael Wombacher
What parent doesn't enjoy the sight of their child engaging in the playful company of man's best friend? And what parent doesn't simultaneously abhor the thought of all that could go wrong? With 80% of dog bites happening to children under five, child/dog interactions are a very serious issue indeed. So let's look at how we can make such interactions safe and fun. When interacting with unknown dogs in public the following guidelines can make all the difference between delight and disaster. First, instruct your child to never approach unattended dogs, period. Second, even if the dog is accompanied by an owner be sure that your child asks both the owner and you for permission to pet the dog. Clearly, if the owner says no, avoid the dog. Also, if the owner expresses hesitation, or the dog shows no overt signs of friendliness, pass on the interaction. Third, even with permission teach your child not to make sudden moves toward the dog, and to begin by petting the dog gently under the chin. Only once the dog is clearly at ease with the entire interaction should your child be allowed to expand their interactions to scratching behind the ears, over the head, and so on. However, even with a friendly dog, bear hugs should be avoided entirely. Lastly, teach your child that if a dog should ever chase him/her, playfully or otherwise, never run, scream or squeal under any circumstances. This can quickly turn a mildly agitated situation into a dangerous one as the running and screaming can engage the dog's prey instinct and drive aggression. Instead, teach your child to stand their ground, avoid eye contact with the dog, and place their hands on the side of their heads so their face and neck are protected until an adult comes to the rescue. With respect to interactions between your child and your own dog, the rules are, of course, very different. Obviously teach your child not to torment the dog with riding, tail-pulling, ear poking, and the assortment of other annoyances which children seem so able to generate at a moment's notice. Second, avoid allowing chase games in either direction. It only teaches the dog that he's faster and cleverer in that situation "“ information he can live without. Instead, teach your dog tricks, fetch games, hide and seek, as well as basic obedience. A nice obedience routine might look something like this; put your dog on a leash and stand facing your dog with your child standing in front of you facing him also. Have your child issue commands with hand signals. If the dog delivers, have your child reward with a treat. If he doesn't, enforce the command gently, but firmly. Repeat with as many commands as your dog knows. Once the routine is established, stand to the side of your child and dog so you're halfway between them facing them both. Repeat the exercise. Once this is going well, move to standing behind the dog, with the dog and child facing each other. In this situation, while the dog is well aware that you are asserting your authority, his primary interaction is with your child. This will teach him both to enjoy your child's company and to begin to respect him appropriately. Lastly, never allow unsupervised interactions between children under ten and any dog, ever. By following these guidelines you should be able to assure a safe and positive experience for your child and man's best friend. For much more information on this subject see my book, There's a baby in the House. To contact Michael Wombacher: |
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