living with pets
PET-IQUETTE
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pets and kids and echoed the idea that children and pets together should be watched. “Kids like to do things like hug dogs, hang on them, and (young kids) like to often pull the dog’s tail. Even the ‘best’ dog will have their limits as to what they will tolerate,” Bitz said. “Parents need to teach their kids from an early age not to do these things and to respect a dog’s space. Some dogs will tolerate these actions just fine, but then the child will think that all dogs will tolerate the hugging, leaning, etc., and can end up getting bit.” About half of all children in the United States are bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Roughly 800,000 bites are severe enough to require medical attention, with an additional 1 million to 2 million unreported. The vast majority of bite injuries are from animals known to the children, including their own pets, according to ASPCA. To help avoid a dog, cat or other animal bite, the ASPCA recommends teaching your child to read your pet’s body language and identify signs that your pet wants to be left alone, such as retreating to a bed or a crate designated as a safe spot. When your child and pet are first getting to know each other, create games that require your child to rely on words and toys rather than on direct physical contact with your pet, the ASPCA suggests. This will minimize the risk that your child or pet will be accidentally injured because one or the other is overexcited. Before a family welcomes a pet to their home, the parents must make sure they have the time to care for the animal, said Kim Brophey, a certified dog behavior consultant and owner of Asheville-based Dog Door Canine Services LLC. “(Parents) think, ‘I’ll get a dog and it will be a baby sitter and it will tolerate anything and everything from a child,’ but most dogs will not,” Brophey said. “They get a dog, bring it home and throw it in with the kids and the menagerie, and that results in a lot of dog bites.” Dogs that bred for companionship, such as retrievers and Labradors, might work better with children, but thoroughly re-
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It is important that animals are given their own space in a home and that children are taught to respect that space. JOHN COUTLAKIS/JCOUTLAKIS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
PET SAFETY TIPS Whether your child and family pet are just getting to know each other or are already on their way to becoming lifelong friends, the following tips will help to benefit their relationship, while keeping both pet and child healthy and safe: » Teach your child to recognize your pet's body language and when it wants to be left alone. » Teach your dog to respond to the word “stop” and encourage your child to practice using that word when appropriate. » Don’t let your child’s friends bring their pets into your home without adult supervision. » Don’t let your pet play with your child’s toys—they may not be pet-safe. The reverse is also true. » Don’t give your child balloons to play with around your pet, and don’t give your pet balloons to play with. Your pet may be frightened by the noise of a popping balloon and could choke on one if chewed. A child can burst a balloon and choke should she try to imitate the way a pet uses his teeth. » Establish that your pet’s right to end a play session is just as important as your child’s right to do so. » Reasonable consequences should be
searching breeds before getting a dog is essential, Brophey said. “It’s still always going to come down to adult supervision,” Brophey said. “My favorite rule of thumb is to let the dog come to you, don’t go to the dog. Teach the
set for a child who neglects his pet-care chores—letting your child determine the consequence is often more effective in changing his behavior. » Never threaten to get rid of a pet if your child fails to perform certain duties. Kids may stop caring about the pet to keep from feeling vulnerable to the possible loss. » To help your child develop a good relationship with your family pet, arrange fun games and activities that produce positive responses all around. » Show your child that he can get your pet to listen by using rewards. This will reduce his feelings of frustration. » If anyone gets upset during play, a brief time-out is effective for both children and animals. Establish safe areas where your child and your pet can spend time by themselves, separately, for a brief period. For pets, 30 to 60 seconds is a reasonable time-out period. One minute for every year of age is the general rule for children. However, you may wish to consult with your pediatrician to determine an appropriate time-out period. Source: American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
child to sit down or stand still and call the dog to them. Remember that a dog is still an animal, and our expectations of their behavior needs to be realistic and everyone’s safety needs to be our No. 1 priority.”
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