When introducing a new dog to your kids, care should be taken in forming a bond during the initial encounter. Here's everything you need to know about bringing a new dog home.
Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family
Include the entire family when going through the process of choosing a new dog for your household. Pay close attention to the dog's temperament and his reaction to your children upon first being introduced. A good family dog will be affectionate and excited about the attention received from the children. His tail should be wagging and he should be gentle when playing with the kids. Depending on their ages, your children may spend significantly more time with the dog than the adults in the household. Ensuring that the dog reacts positively to the kids is an important step in the adoption process.
The First Encounter
When bringing the dog home for the first time, let him explore and become accustomed to his surroundings. The dog may display signs of being frightened or stressed when initially coming into a new environment. Exercise caution when first introducing a child to a dog. An animal that is frightened by strangers may react aggressively. Once you help the dog feel safe and calm, ask your child to hold a treat in an enclosed fist. Allow the dog to carefully approach the child to retrieve the treat. Instruct your child to gently pet the dog. This process may need to be repeated several times.
Involve your kids in the process of caring for the dog from day one. Not only will this take some of the burden off your shoulders, it will teach the children important lessons about responsibility. It will also aid in forming a close bond between the child and the dog. Explain to your children how and when to feed, clean, and walk the dog. Demonstrate attentiveness to the dog so your children witness the time and energy it takes to properly care for a pet. Once your children are old enough, allow them to take him on walks alone. This will instill a feeling of independence in your child as well as sending a message to the dog about their authority.
Helping your children form a close relationship with your dog will benefit everyone involved. Not only will your kids learn a valuable lesson in responsibility, they will also end up with a long-time friend.
