Dogs and Children, Best Dog Breed for Children, Best Dog Breeds

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Learn about safely introducing dogs and children, the best free tips on choosing a dog for family, the best dog breeds, choosing a dog breed and the best dog breed for children.

We will also discuss dog and puppy behavior and how your child should be introduced to dogs.

By understanding your dog or puppy & your dog or puppy’s specific temperament and behavior through a little dog psychology it will make the first introduction safer and more enjoyable for you your dog & your child.

Dogs and Children

Best Dog Breed for Children

Below we have listed some of the best dog breeds and the best dog breeds for children.

1. Wheaten Terrier
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
3. Whippet
4. Old English Sheepdog
5. Pug
6. Norfolk Terrier
7. English Bulldog
8. Cocker Spaniel
9. Boxer
10. Labrador Retriever
11. Golden Retriever
12. Poodle
13. Boston Terrier
14. Bichon Frise
15. Bernese Mountain Dog
16. Bearded Collie
17. Beagle
18. Australian Shepherd

If you are after more really good information on how kids and dogs should be introduced and more information on the best dog breeds and best dog breed for children – take a look at the Dogs Trust Charity’s excellent site.

There is allot of emphasis on how to train a puppy or dog to be safe around children but it is equally important to teach your children how to behave around dogs.

Never completely trust a dog around children and don’t let young children feed or walk your dog until they are older and more mature.

Dogs and Children.

Step 1 – Eye Contact

Follow this step by step guide to introducing children to dogs or puppies for the first time.

• As you are the adult you should make sure that you are attached to your dog or puppy by a leash. Keep your dog on the left hand side and hold the leash firmly.
• Ask the child to keep eye contact with you and not the dog – this is due to the fact that children are smaller and have less authority – in the dog’s eyes – consequently this makes them more susceptible to dog bites or puppy biting

Step 2 – Gentle Strokes

Ask any children that are being introduced to your dog to use very gentle strokes.

It is always best to stroke a dog or puppy from the left side and make sure that your dog is not patted on the head or stroked on the head.

Make that you praise and reward your dog or puppy if he is behaving well – tell him that he is a ‘good boy’ and give him a treat.

Check out our section on positive reinforcement. Your pet needs to understand that good dog or puppy behavior means a reward.

Step 3 – Feeding your Dog & Feeding a Puppy

It is important that you don’t allow young children to feed your or even walk past your dog with food.

The reason that young children should not feed dogs isthat some dog’s can be quite possessive around their food and may even see themselves as the pack leader or alpha male

Obviously if you have assessed your dog as having a dominant character it might be worth considering putting a muzzle on your dog before any introduction to kids.

Step 4 – Safety First!

Dogs and Children – Dog and Puppy Behavior

• If your dog is not particularly trustworthy or has a history of bad dog or puppy behavior and other dog obedience issues – then muzzle your dog.

• If you have children playing games near your dog -you should have trained him to lie down or the sit command – your dog or puppy should understand that sit means sit.

  This is quiet important as when a dog is in what he sees as a playful environment your dog may become boisterous and this is when accidents occur.

  If you have trained your dog to sit and lie down you can feel more confident if you happen to walk into the park and games are being played – knowing that your dog will follow your dog training commands.

  Go to our section on basic dog training for tips on simple dog training commands.

• If you are introducing your dog to a baby, allow your dog to sniff and smell the baby’s scent but do not allow actual contact.

  If in doubt put a muzzle on your dog as a baby can make sudden movements which may lead your dog to show some nervous behavior – the muzzle is always a safe bet (depending on your particular view.)

  When introducing dogs and children it is always best to consider safety before anything else.

  You can always refer back to our list of the best dog breeds or you can check out our section on choosing a dog breed or our other free tips on choosing the best dog breed for children