on December 12, 2019 Contents
by Farah Al-Khojai, guest writer
Edited by Nancee-Laetitia Marin
These days, many families seem to be casual about allowing their children to interact with dogs. Seeing a small child play with a pup may look adorable; however, proper precaution must be exercised to ensure that both the animal and the little human are safe.
It’s crucial to remember that dogs are animals, foremost. What happens if your child hits your pet, and the canine misinterprets it as an attack? If you have a child and a pup at home, take note of these five safety tips from a Dubai pet food company.
1. Do a trial run
You need to check first whether your child is comfortable with the presence of a dog and vice versa. Most canines are friendly. However, since this concerns a small kid, you have to be extra careful. The first time they meet, be sure to hold your kid close to you, then allow the dog to approach him. This way, you can easily lift your child up in case you sense hostility from your pet.
Dogs will use their sense of smell to get familiar with strangers. Hold the back of your child’s hand while keeping fingers out of the way and let the dog come up to him and sniff. Don’t let your child chase the dog if it moves away. It may not be in the mood to meet someone that day.
If everything goes well after the first meeting, increase the level of interaction between your child and dog little by little.
2. Don’t let your child annoy or tease the dog
You should educate your child on the fact that a dog isn’t a toy but a friend that demands respect. It’s never okay for a kid to hit, throw toys, or do anything harsh towards a pet. As a consequence, the dog will signal the kid to stop by growling or worse, biting.
A child waving food or a toy in front of a dog is also dangerous. Your pet may make a grab for it and hurt your kid by accident. Up until your child learns safe play, let your pet play with his own high-quality dog toy in the meantime to prevent accidents.
3. Keep the child away when the dog is eating
When a dog is eating, it’s important to teach your child to leave the animal alone. The pup may think that the kid will try to take the food. It’s in a canine’s instinct to protect its food, so it may get taken aback by a child patting while it eats.
Above all, teach your child never to take anything out of a canine’s mouth. Dogs have sharp teeth, and with a lack of control, it can easily hurt your kid’s hands. If a pup takes your child’s toy, instead of taking it back himself, teach your kid to call the nearest adult and let them handle the situation.
4. Don’t let your kid run when the dog is around
Dogs have a playful nature, so when they see a kid running, they may not be able to control the urge to go and chase. Teach your child that being around a canine is like being near a swimming pool—it’s much safer to walk. Make sure that an adult is always nearby to put a stop to playtime. Give them a break once it’s becoming too rough for both the child and dog.
This should not be a one-way rule. If you see your dog exhibiting actions that aren’t appropriate around kids, you need to teach your pet correct behavior. You may have to work with a professional dog trainer or place your dog in a separate room and close the door while children are playing.
Keep in mind that dogs will react to how humans behave. If your child shouts and runs, your pet might chase and attack. Playing obedience games is much better than playing chase or tug-of-war, especially when it involves your kid’s safety.
5. Never leave your child with the dog unattended
Maybe the new dog is familiar with adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable around small children. You may become busy with life and forget to pay attention to what your child and the pet are doing.
The dog may see a simple hug from a kid as a sign of aggression. You should always keep your small child within arm’s reach, even if there’s no canine around. Teach your kid that he should always ask your permission before he can touch the dog so that you’re aware of every pet–child interaction.
Show equal care and love
It’s a given that children are a lot of work. However, this doesn’t mean that you should neglect your pet’s needs. Always make sure that your new dog receives the respect it deserves. When you fail to treat a dog right, that’s the time it’ll stand up for himself and may end up hurting your child.
Most dogs that accidentally harm a child are often given up to animal shelters, perceived as aggressive, and sometimes euthanized for misbehavior that could have been avoided easily. Be a responsible parent and pet owner by bearing in mind the five safety tips mentioned above.
About the Author
Farah Al-Khojai is the managing partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a BSc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and she is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear, and Rogz.
