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The doghouse

How to keep a pet dog with young children.

21 replies

D0oinMeCleanin · 21/08/2012 10:16

I think a thread like this is over due, I am by no means an expert, so if anyone has anything else to add please feel free to do so.

  1. Keep dogs and children supervised when together at all times. You don't have to be a perfect parent or have eyes in the back of your head to do this. An easy way is to train the dog to follow you around the house. Simply keep some treats in your pocket, call the dog to follow you. Once you are in the next room, feed him the treat. In a few days you won't even have to call him to follow.

  2. Simple rules are easier for kids to understand. Instead of teaching them when they can approach the dog teach them to never approach the dog. Get them to always call the dog to come to them if they want to interact with them.

  3. Teach children respect and how to be gentle when they are petting the dog. If they can't do that, then don't allow close interaction until they are older. Again simple rules are easier to follow. Don't touch the dog is clearer to a young child than "Only touch the dog this way or that way etc"

  4. If you have a toddling/unstable child it's best to keep the dog's bed well out of the way of walkways. Think about investing in a crate or putting a bed under a table in the corner of a room. Train the dog to go there to sleep and no-where else.

  5. Dogs should never be bothered by a child when they're in their bed.

  6. High value treats and toys should kept for when the child is in bed/at nursery.

  7. Feed the dogs in a different room to the children. Supervise feeding or ensure the child is supervised and cannot get to the eating dog. If you think your dog has food aggression you can train for this. Add treats to his bowl while he is eating. Swap a high value treat i.e a bone for something even better, such as a raw chicken wing/leg, then give the bone back. Once the dogs food in his bowl it is his. Never take anything out of the bowl unless it is to give something better. Children should never be allowed near the bowl or a dog with a treat/bone.

  8. Exercise and stimulation. Make sure your dog gets enough of both, if the children don't want to come along when it's raining, well tough. You are the adult, they are the child. Make them come. It'll do them good in the end.

  9. Yes your child is more important than the dog but it is still okay to punish the child (time out/removal of toys/whatever you do) when or if they break the rules and torment the dog, although they really shouldn't be given the chance to break the rules because they are supervised at all time Smile Just because your dog is a dog and your child is a child, it doesn't mean the dog does not deserve any respect.

  10. If you don't think you would be able to do all of the above, try getting a fish instead.
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everybodywalkthedinosaur · 21/08/2012 10:42

Very good, I'm trying to train DH in dog and baby. Note I said DH not the dog! Consistency is the key.

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belindarose · 21/08/2012 10:50

Good idea for thread, Dooin. And great tips from you. I make sure my springer doesn't beg around toddler's food. He has to lie down when people are at the table. Toddler (3) is allowed to give him treats under strict supervision (for following easy instructions that I know he will do faultlessly, like 'sit' and 'spin'). This is the only time she is allowed to give him food.

Otherwise, I keep them separate or supervised. Dog appreciates his crate.

I'll add more if I think of any.

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MrsZoidberg · 21/08/2012 10:58

Fantastic Post as always DOin

MNHQ - Can we make this a sticky?

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MothershipG · 21/08/2012 11:57

Excellent post! I especially like no.8, but my favourite is 10! Smile

Can I just add get a crate? Particularly for smaller dogs, as this facilitates points 4 & 5, feed the dog in the crate and that covers 7 too.

Many people have much more open plan houses these days so it really helps if the dog has a happy, secure place to be when you can't be supervising.

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sanityawol · 21/08/2012 14:11

Great post D0oin.

Have to agree, and my kids have always been taught how to behave around dogs rather than the other way around. This is as much because whilst my dogs love them and tolerate all sorts, other dogs will not and whilst it is entirely hypothetical I know how bad I would feel if my dog bit a child and I wouldn't want to put another owner through that or put the dog at risk of being pts.

I hasten to add that whilst my dogs would tolerate all sorts, I have never allowed kids to put this to the test.

Incidentally, one of my biggest bugbears are people wanting rid of pets because they no longer fit their lifestyles. This was made very clear to MIL when she was telling me how stepSIL was thinking of getting rid of her 18 month old lab because she had a new boyfriend and having the dog made it hard to go away for weekends! Angry I accept that sometimes there are genuine changes in circumstances where there is no choice but to rehome a much loved pet, but dogs being got rid of because a baby has turned up... Grr

I know that you meant this thread to be informative and helpful, so if you want me to get MNHQ to delete my rant then let me know and I'll ask them.

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D0oinMeCleanin · 21/08/2012 14:15

Oh no Sanity. I agree 100% with you. People really do need to start thinking more before they take on a dog, especially a young dog who could live for 10+ years. If you don't think you would want a dog around children then you shouldn't be thinking about getting one while you are at child bearing age. Similar for new partners. If you like to go away a lot when you are in a relationship, then do not consider a dog when you are looking for/open to a new relationship.

The dog does not ask to be brought into your home. It is your responsibility to be 100% certain that you are able to care for the dog for the next decade, at least.

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sanityawol · 21/08/2012 14:27

Thanks D0oin.

I don't think that MIL expected me to have quite such strong feelings - I think that because we have 5 dogs I was supposed to sympathise with how hard it was. She still has the lab and the boyfriend - I did point out that the dog didn't ask to be there.

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D0oinMeCleanin · 21/08/2012 14:38

I've just remembered another one...

11) Make sure you child to knows to never take anything from the dog. Even their own favourite toy. Explain that you can buy a new doll you cannot buy a new arm for them. Although again you will be supervising so it won't be an issue.

Rule one really is the most important.

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Ephiny · 21/08/2012 15:02

I agree about forward planning. Think before you get a dog. And, I know it isn't a popular thing to say on here, think before you have a child.

By which I mean, if you already have a dog and are thinking of starting a family, think about how your dog is with small children, whether he's been socialised with them. Think about how you will manage everyday practicalities with a dog and children in the house, walking, feeding, sleeping arrangements, space etc. Whether your home is currently a safe and suitable environment to bring a child into, and if not, what needs to change to make it so. Think about the lifelong commitment you made to your dog and how you will ensure you honour that.

So, so many dogs abandoned because the owners have had kids, it is heartbreaking. Some where the dog has nipped or growled at the child (usually in an entirely preventable incident) but many just because the mum 'can't cope' or 'doesn't have time' or 'the house is too small' Hmm.

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Silibilimili · 21/08/2012 16:43

Super post OP.

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TheCunnyFunt · 21/08/2012 19:29

I saw a bloke the other week who had just taken on his 3rd greyhound. The dog was returned to the rescue because his owner got a new boyfriend who didn't like the dog Hmm get rid of the boyfriend I say!

We got our greyhound when DD was 7.5mo, she is 14mo now, and although I can't say her and Sprocket are best friends, it's ok having them both. He mainly ignores DD but she loves him! Whenever he comes over for a fuss I sit DD on my lap and she is allowed to pet him very nicely, and if she does this, both her and the dog get big fuss, but if she slaps him too hard she gets taken away from him. She is learning this really well and very rarely gets overexcited and slaps him hard now. She's almost ALWAYS very gentle with him :) they are NEVER left unsupervised together. It was really sweet the other day actually, DD was petting the dog on my lap, rubbing his neck up and down and he was loving it! He loved it that much he leaned into her :o

Our bedroom is his crate. he has a bed downstairs and one upstairs, it's upto him which one he wants to sleep on, the downstairs one is in the bathroom and DD can't get there as it's through the baby gate.

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MrsZoidberg · 22/08/2012 10:46

Bump cos I want everyone to see it

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pimmsgalore · 22/08/2012 12:38

D0oin great post

Just to add another, please think about how you will transport yourself, DCs and dog in the car.

Only adding after a horrendous journey yesterday, my estate is broken so had 4DCs and dog in DHs saloon. Pimms doog was upset that he was relegated to being tethered in and lying on the floor beneath DS2s feet, DS2 was upset that he had to sit cross legged for the journey so as not to put his feet on pimms dog. Will be glad that by the end of today my estate will be fixed and pimms dog will be back in his crate in the boot :)

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kirrinIsland · 22/08/2012 12:54

Great thread, thanks.
I'm dealing with a few issues at the moment and particularly like the idea of teaching DD to call the dogs to her rather than approaching them herself. No chance in hell they'll come - brilliant Grin

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LST · 22/08/2012 22:24

I have always found segregating an eating dog causes more problems tbh.

But everything else I do agree.

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GobblersKnob · 22/08/2012 22:32

Brilliant post, the only one I mildly disagree with is the eating. I think if your dog has no food guarding issues already and your children are old enough to reliably follow instructions then it is a good idea for them to drop high value treats into the bowl as your dog is eating making the presence of a child near food a positive experience.

If you reguarly take both dogs and children away with you (as we do, particually camping) it can sometimes be hard to feed the dogs in total peace, so it is easier that the dogs are relaxed eating with the kids around.

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Cocodale · 23/08/2012 18:51

This is great advice having seen a behaviourist today I realise it's the kids as much as anything that need the teaching rather than me thinking the dog having a huge problem that cannot be resolved.
Will be using the no approach technique and will work on getting the dog trained to follow me.
Thank you Smile

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MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 23/08/2012 23:05

We had one dog before we had the children, then we got another last year.

My tip would be - if you get a border collie when you have two children under five, you are mad Grin

Although now we are past the puppy stage into adolescence we all rub along brilliantly and I have the soppiest floppiest cutest BC in the world. He is the best behaved and most well trained out of everyone, dogs/children/DH included.

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D0oinMeCleanin · 23/08/2012 23:08

I often find myself wishing for a BC or two on the school run. My school run catchphrase is "If you don't stop running off I'm gonna go get some sheep dogs and they'll nip your bums when you run away" Blush

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MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 23/08/2012 23:24

He doesn't try to herd/nip them at all. But he does hang around with them when they are playing in a park etc. If the children are just out of sight, you call the dog and he gives away where they are hiding Grin Actually he is the only one who comes when you shout them, full stop.

Random children (and adults) borrow him in the park and throws balls for him, because he drops them at their feet, lies down and gives them The Look. Everyone melts. I'm just glad to let someone else throw a few of the balls.

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Arseface · 27/08/2012 00:56

Good thread. Well made.
Love all points so far bar no.6.

I keep high value toys/treats for when I am able to supervise dcs with the dogs.
Some of the things they love the most are only given by the dcs.
That way, my (adult rescue, previously unsocialised with children) dogs associate all the very best things with my toddler.

Obv, toddler must be able to give nicely and dogs to take nicely! Also, fully dependant on all important point no. 1 - supervise or separate.

Looking forward to reading and learning more!

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