Involving the Children
Children and puppies usually have a great time together because they are equally energetic, playful, and inquisitive. However, just as your puppy requires training, your children need to be taught how to behave correctly around puppies and older dogs.
Always be present to supervise when a child is interacting with a puppy. Never leave them alone together, because children sometimes become very excitable, which will only incite the puppy. These situations can often get out of hand, and a child may make the puppy feel threatened or accidentally injure him, which will leave him feeling anxious and insecure about being in the company of children.
Step 1
Stand directly behind the child so that he or she feels comfortable in the situation, and then give him or her a treat with which to get the puppy’s attention.
Step 2
Show the child how to raise the treat to just above the puppy’s eye level, so that the puppy will be lured into a “sit” position.
Step 3
If the child struggles at first to get the puppy to sit by using the treat as a lure, you can step in and assist by using your cue word and hand signal.
Step 4
Once the exercise is completed, sit down with your child in your lap, and together give the puppy lots of warm praise, treats, and affection. This way, both puppy and child are forming positive associations about being in each other’s company.
Back to "Out and About"INVOLVING THE CHILDREN
Children and puppies generally have loads of fun together, but they can often get each other into trouble, especially when there are so many things around them that pose a potential danger—for example, electric cable, medication, machinery, appliances, and even toys. Try to ensure that their environment is as safe as possible. Never encourage children to play rough-and-tumble games with puppies and older dogs. Rather, get them to play games that stimulate brain activity, such as hide-and-seek or teaching tricks. Both kids and puppies should learn to play using brain instead of brawn.