Dog for baby

About the benefits of friendship between a dog and a child

Children living in a house where a dog is a full member of the family rarely grow up to be cruel, angry, selfish. Communication with a four-legged friend will teach a little person responsibility, discipline, respect for the desires of others.

Friendship with a dog helps children develop harmoniously – physically, intellectually, emotionally, aesthetically. You can start an exciting mobile game with a dog, it is interesting to watch him, studying and analyzing his habits, you can always gently hug a dog, touch its soft fur, experiencing a feeling of tenderness and security. The very appearance of this pet develops a sense of beauty, because most of the representatives of the dog tribe are harmoniously created creatures.

The dog gives the child a sense of self-confidence, because it is always ready to stand up for him. The fact that the dog executes the commands of the little owner increases his self-esteem. It has long been noticed that guys who have such reliable friends are often more sociable than their peers and more inclined to leadership.

If a taciturn, self-contained child grows up in the family, the acquisition of a dog may help him open up to the perception of the outside world. He will be able to tell the dog about his worries and experiences, which for some reason he does not want or is afraid to share with his parents, and find full understanding hidden in intelligent and kind dog eyes. A dog, especially of an authoritative kind, is quite capable of becoming a link between a timid child and his peers, with whom he is shy to get acquainted.

Which dog is better to buy for a child

Before getting a dog for a child and deciding on its breed, you need to consult with all family members so as not to violate their interests: the dog should not create discomfort in the house. An old grandmother will definitely not like a too frisky or too large pet that can knock her off her feet; dad, for example, may not be a fuss at all; and mom, quite possibly, will be unnerved by the constant cleaning of wool clubs - characteristic traces of a long–haired dog staying in the house.

Any dog for a child – small, large or medium–sized - must have a stable psyche and a good disposition, and not every breed demonstrates such qualities. You should not buy a puppy with your hands, without a pedigree, even if he is incredibly cute, and it is inexpensive, because in this case you cannot be sure that there were no aggressive dogs in his family. Of course, it is possible that such a dog will become a good friend to the child, but it must be borne in mind that mestizos, growing up, sometimes behave in the most unpredictable way.

Small, large or medium-sized dog

A very common opinion that the best dogs for children are proportionately small, like soft toys, is often refuted by a number of objective reasons. Not every small breed is characterized by a good character, and many baby dogs themselves claim to be a beloved child in the family, seeing their competitor in the child. Many small dogs have poor immunity, and taking care of their health falls on the shoulders of adult family members. In addition, active fun with a miniature dog is not always safe for him. If a large dog does not even notice that a child has stepped on her paw, then for a small pet such carelessness may well end in a serious injury with serious consequences.

The indisputable advantage of a miniature dog over a large one is, of course, that even a seven-year-old child can walk it on his own. This is very important in the relationship between a dog and his little master, because when a child keeps a dog on a leash, he asserts his authority.

The Internet is full of touching photos of children in the company St. bernards , dogs , newfoundlands , sheepdogs . These dogs, indeed, cannot be denied the love of children, but it has a patronizing character. Their condescension and endless patience towards the kids is amazing: they are phlegmatically abstracted when they pull their ears, pull their tail, pounce with hugs and kisses, use them as a pillow. At the same time, giant dogs are always ready to join childish games, "run wild" with the younger generation in nature, forgetting about their venerable status.

The largest group, which includes more than 200 breeds, are medium–sized dogs. Accordingly, the choice of dogs for a child in this category is the widest. There are a lot of dogs among the "middle peasants" who love children and are ready to become their real comrades. For the most part, they are very mobile, active, some even excessively, do not suffer, like small dogs, from the awkwardness of small owners, and it is much easier to keep them on a leash than a large dog. With many such pets, children establish equal friendly relations.

Which breed of dog is preferable

The question of which breed of dog is best for a child is very controversial. Fans german shepherds claim that it is the shepherds who are the best friends of children, and the owners, for example, spaniels enthusiastically describe the advantages of their pets. Before giving preference to one of the many breeds of dogs, parents should certainly familiarize themselves with its description in detail, learn from a cynologist about the differences in the behavior of bitches and males.

It is also important to take into account the age, character, temperament, sex of the child himself. Do not forget that it is very important for children how they look in front of their peers. If a little girl, proudly holding on a leash pekingese , chinese crested , dachshund , dwarf pinscher , it will look quite impressive and even cause envy among friends, then a teenage boy walking pug or miniature poodle , risks provoking the taunts of friends.

Among small breed dogs, the undisputed leader for children of both sexes is yorkshire terrier . This kid is very brave, agile, mischievous, quick-witted and, importantly, has a fairly strong physique. He sincerely loves sports games and at the same time does not mind when the little mistress dresses him up in various clothes, combs and ties bows. Yorkshire Terrier in courage, determination, strong texture, disposition to children are not inferior welsh corgi , miniature schnauzer , toy fox terrier , border terrier . These dogs are also distinguished by friendliness, poise, mobility. It should be borne in mind, however, that dogs from the genus of Schnauzers and terriers, as a rule, do not get along with cats.

Have a cute and lively character havana bichon , lapdog , dwarf poodle , chihuahua , pekingese .

Medium breeds have their own top representatives. In addition to the spaniel mentioned above , the Labrador will be an excellent choice is a dog that adores not only children, but also all household members, as well as their relatives, neighbors and everyone else. This dog is ideal for mobile guys who are ready to go for long walks with him. But next to a stay-at-home child, a labrador will get bored, and he will begin to realize his irrepressible radiant energy in the walls of the dwelling, arranging chaos there.

Excellent character differ golden retriever , irish setter , airedale terrier , beagle , poodle . A good friend and at the same time a reliable defender for the child will be a brave riesenschnauzer , famous for great flair, quick wit and excellent reaction.

Among large breeds, special care and love for children stand out scottish and german shepherds , St. bernards and newfoundlands . They not only sincerely love babies, but also protect them, showing incredible patience for children's pranks. However, parents who purchase a large breed dog for their child should definitely consult a dog handler to learn about the subtleties of peaceful and friendly coexistence of their child and a big dog. Such consultation is especially important if the child was born in a family where a large dog already lives.

Dangerous dog breeds for children!

There are certain dog breeds that absolutely cannot be considered when choosing a friend for a child:

• dogs of fighting breeds are descendants of pickling dogs ( tosa inu , american bandog , cane corso , bull terrier , pitbull );
• dogs ( argentine , german , canary );
• Caucasian shepherd ;
• bulldogs ( pakistani , american );
• Rhodesian ridgeback ;
• burbul ;
• basenji ;
• brazilian fila (or Brazilian mastiff);
• akita inu ;
• boxer ;
• chow chow ;
• doberman ;
• alaskan malamute ;
• rottweiler .

Note also that any dog that has already been trained as a guard dog will never become a dear friend for a child.

Dog and child's age

The relationship between a dog and a child develops in different ways. It depends on many circumstances, including the age of both. You need to understand that the dog considers its owner to be the family member who is engaged in its upbringing and training. If your child has reached the age of 13-14, and he is serious, responsible, has a balanced character, patience, it is quite possible for him to buy a puppy of a large or medium breed so that a teenager can raise him independently, educate him and become a full-fledged dog owner.

Children who have not reached adolescence are rarely recognized by dogs as owners, they perceive them as friends-comrades, companions, accomplices in pranks. This attitude to the child is typical even for baby dogs, the same miniature schnauzer , for example, has a very serious character and needs an authoritarian, "adult" upbringing.

A child can walk a small dog independently already at 7-9 years old. However, parents should consider possible dangers. If, for example, a dog lives next door who is unfriendly to his fellow tribesmen, you need to choose a time for a walk so that the animals do not intersect, otherwise both of your household can get stress. Walks should be carried out during the daytime and not far from home. At first, it is useful to keep an eye on how things are going unnoticed. If there is a need to take the pet out at dusk, under some pretext accompany the little dog owner, but do not take away his leash.

A child can walk a dog on his own only if he is able to keep it on a leash. During the estrus period, only adult family members should go for a walk with her.

Having bought a puppy for a baby 4-7 years old, parents should understand that taking care of the animal will fall on their shoulders. However, representatives of the older generation should behave in such a way that the child gets the impression that he is the owner of the dog. The kid has to clean up scattered objects after playing with his four-legged friend, at a certain time to walk the dog with his dad or mom, he needs to be involved in feeding the dog, entrusting the work of an "assistant". During a walk together, you can trust a child to lead a dog on a leash. Some resourceful parents convince their children that dogs really like to be read to, and the kids enthusiastically take up this useful activity, feeling like mentors of a younger friend.

Buying a dog for a child under the age of four is not worth it. This is not safe, since there are certain rules of behavior that must be observed when communicating with this animal. At a tender age, the baby is simply not able to realize, accept and assimilate them.

Precautions

The responsibility for the safety of children certainly lies with the parents, so the duet of a dog and a child, in one way or another, should always be under their control.

You need to know that any dog, even the smallest, can become dangerous for a child under certain circumstances. It happens that a dog who is used to living in a country house and running wherever he wants, when moving to a city apartment, feels confused, and because of the inability to throw out energy, he is able to show character traits that were not characteristic of him earlier. If your pet is large, the consequences in case of its aggression can be very serious. There are many reasons for changing the behavior of a dog, for an explanation of such a phenomenon, you should immediately contact a dog handler or a veterinarian.

Children should clearly, sometimes repeatedly, explain that the dog absolutely cannot be touched when she eats, drinks or sleeps. Convince the child that if the dog moves away from him, does not want to communicate, then it is not necessary to molest him, follow him, stroke and caress. The kid will take your advice better if you say that the dog is just tired, older children can be reasoned to explain that it is dangerous.

Don't let the child punish the dog physically, yell at her. The dog, and even not everyone, is able to dutifully accept punishment from the owner, and he can react aggressively to such behavior of a younger family member.

If the baby is constantly tugging at a good-natured and patient giant dog, settles down to sleep on it, there is no need to be touched by this and encourage such behavior of his child, inviting him to admire the idyllic picture of neighbors and friends. A child may accidentally touch the animal's pain point, and even if the dog just growls a warning, this will be enough to make the intrusive child, to put it mildly, seriously scared.

The child must firmly learn that growling, showing the dog's bared teeth means "last warning".

There is a big difference in the relationship between a child and a dog growing up with him from his puppy age, and a baby with a dog who settled in the house even before the baby appeared. In the first case, conflicts occur extremely rarely, and in the second their probability increases significantly.

The baby should never be left alone with a dog of any breed and size. When leaving the room, take either one or the other with you. Depending on how the old-time dog will react to the younger family member, you will have to control the situation to some extent. Accident statistics show that most often dogs bite boys aged 5-12 years. In some cases, the dog has to be given away or kept in an aviary.