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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Would you allow this?

16 replies

Crawling · 09/04/2011 18:22

Ds and our dog love playing together, especially in the garden, neither has ever shown any need to be watched closely. When I am doing my dishes I pull DS or our dog in as I can no longer supervise however ds always asks to stay out with the dog, I can see the entire garden from the sink and as any dishes are put beside the sink would have no reason to move out of sight with the door open (the door is in the kitchen) so I can also hear everything. But guidelines are to never leave a dog and a young child alone. Should I continue pulling one in or am I being too over protective and too rigid with the rules? DS is 5 BTW

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 09/04/2011 20:30

how long have you had the dog? what is temperament like? does dog show any signs at all of being fed up with constant attention? (two of mine dont, other one has a limit. not aggressive at all but doesnt lap up hour after hour of attention like the other two)

what is you ds like with dog? is he able to understand dog's body language? does he know how to respect dog's personal space if needed without you to point this out to him?

sorry all the questions. my ds now 18 but was at 5 he was left alone with dog if for example i popped to loo. i just dont want to say it would be ok as obviously guidelines are not to leave unsupervised. even at 18 ds says same dog is his soulmate, they were and still are that close. so my example may not be relevant to your situation

disclaimer - we are an animal mad family. even our chickens come in the house sometimes Blush and have been known to come for a walk with us. so we are not typical. hopefully someone more sensible will come along and advise. also, dont forgot that there are still stories of where leaving kids alone with dogs have gone very wrong

Choufleur · 09/04/2011 20:34

I think if you can see them they should be fine. If you thought the dog might turn on your DS in an instant you shouldn't, but I'm guessing that's not the case.

I leave DS (nearly 5) to play with our very lovely but insane springer in the garden. TBH DS sometimes does get a bit hurt but that's because the dog sometimes knocks him over accidentally whilst running around like a loon.

LucyInTheSkyWithDiazepam · 09/04/2011 20:34

What breed of dog are we talking about?

KD0706 · 09/04/2011 20:39

I wouldn't leave them alone personally. Especially since they are playing, it might get out of hand.

I know it's a hassle but my gut feeling is that you're better safe than sorry

Original poster
Crawling · 09/04/2011 20:49

Thanks all my dog is a Labrador, we have had him 2 years. Our dog is of a good temperament and as the door is open he had access to his safe room (DS is to leave alone if he enters there) he never seems tired of playing and ofter whines when they are seperated.

DS can be a bit much and does not know body language, and will corner the dog (who doesnt seem to mind) and I would be able to see and tell DS no as I really can see the garden clearly. If something happened I would get there in the same amount of time as if we were at opposite ends of a room possibly quicker. But I guess what made me wonder is I am at most the same distance as I would be in our room and would be able to see and hear just as well as the same room it is just that it is the other side of a window.

OP posts:
Choufleur · 09/04/2011 20:50

Let them play. You can see them and the dog can get out of the way if he wants to.

Original poster
Crawling · 09/04/2011 20:51

But I dont mind keeping them seperate, I was just wondering if I was being silly.

OP posts:
Choufleur · 09/04/2011 20:53

Yes I think you are. They enjoy playing together.

LucyInTheSkyWithDiazepam · 09/04/2011 21:00

If you can see and hear them all the time then I don't see why not.

Original poster
Crawling · 09/04/2011 21:06

You are right I am stoping them playing when I am not leaving them unaccompanied really as I can see, hear and intervene if needed.

OP posts:
Labradorlover · 09/04/2011 22:02

Can I suggest setting out some rules for playing with the dog if toys/balls are used. I did this so DD didn't try to snatch stuff out of the dogs' mouths. She loves getting the dogs to leave, sit, stay etc. My only other rule really is to not let her shut the door if she's in a room with the dogs on her own.
Have to say past toddler stage, when she'd learnt to be gentle, they've been unsupervised loads.

minimu1 · 10/04/2011 08:56

I obviously dont know your dog or DS but I do know that situations can change very quickly with dogs.

My only concern is that you will be able to see what happens but may not be able to prevent it from happening if you are at a distance from them. However I think only you can work out the chances of that happening as you know both of them well.

Personally it would not hurt the dog to have a chill out session whilst you are just washing the dishes - a good time to train the stayGrin

chickchickchicken · 10/04/2011 17:35

my concern with the above would be what if one day the dog is slightly under the weather or has stood on something that is sticking in his paw when being cornered......dog may then mind being cornered
just something to think about. you sound as if you are supervising anyway. would ds be able to understand that he shouldnt corner dog?

TheMonster · 10/04/2011 17:41

Crawling, I do the same as you. My son is 4 and we have 2 dogs and I never leave them alone. You can't be too careful.

Original poster
Crawling · 10/04/2011 20:07

He leaves him alone if he is lying down and ds will leave him alone if asked it is more he doesnt always see it is time to leave him alone, I think for now I will continue seperating as it does not hurt either of them and maybe in a year reconsider my stance. Thanks for all advice it has helped to get a divided opinion as it means my confused thoughts are normal,and best safe than sorry.

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 10/04/2011 21:27

Smile glad you feel happy with your decision. it does sound as if ds has a lovely relationship with dog and in that respect it would be a shame to possibly let anything alter that when he is still only 5

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