| Best dogs for children ... So many myths, legends, | | | | were leaping eagerly at the doors of the kennels. |
| and fear surround many things when knowledge is | | | | Their over-excitement was NOT going to work |
| lacking. This is very evident as I hear parents cry: | | | | around children - or inexperienced adults. |
| "My child wants a dog. What should I do? What are | | | | I was drawn at last to Belle Lady, a very small Lab |
| the best dogs for children? What do I teach the | | | | cross. She was almost all black, and greeted me with |
| children? Help!" Parents want information on the fear | | | | a sweet wiggle when I neared her kennel. I allowed |
| of dogs. How does a child overcome the fear of | | | | her to smell me. Then I put her leash on. I walked |
| dogs? How do you prevent a child from developing a | | | | her a good distance. I tested her on pulling, and |
| fear of dogs in the first place? It all begins with the | | | | tested her behavior around cats, cars, distractions, |
| selection process. | | | | people, and her tolerance level. After all, the best dog |
| I was asked this question by a couple who had a | | | | for a child is not a particular breed, but an individual |
| little fear of dogs in general, because neither of them | | | | dog's sweet, gentle personality which is responsive to |
| had any dogs when growing up. Their children had | | | | and respectful of your authority and that of the |
| requested to have a dog, so the parents wisely | | | | children, and whose exercise and attention needs are |
| stepped forward for help: "What should I do?" Both | | | | conducive with the family's lifestyle. |
| wanted their children, then ages four and seven, to | | | | With Belle, I was sure that I had found the perfect |
| grow up comfortable with dogs and without the fear | | | | match for this family. Homework is important, though. |
| that plagued them. First, though, they needed to | | | | So I had a long conversation with one of the people |
| understand certain guidelines for children and dogs. | | | | who had worked with Belle at the shelter. Her |
| So I sat down privately with the parents and | | | | conclusion was identical to mine. |
| explained some key points that could make or break | | | | The next day when the children were out of school, |
| this effort. "Understand! You children must be made | | | | we all went to the shelter to get Belle. The children |
| to understand what they can and cannot do with a | | | | obeyed their parents and listened intently to my |
| dog. If the child is too rough and you don't correct | | | | every word. Belle was allowed to smell them first, |
| him, the dog WILL." | | | | then they walked Belle behind them. |
| "Secondly, if your dog shows disrespect to your | | | | The family had to work hard, but they gave Belle the |
| children, FORGET IT! You are not experienced dog | | | | boundaries that she needed. She spent the rest of |
| people, and the animal will take advantage of this. | | | | her days happy, healthy, and loved! |
| The specific dog must have the right personality to | | | | This family did not know the breed or breed mix that |
| start with." | | | | would be best. They did not know much of anything |
| "Third, let me show you how to discipline the dog | | | | to do with dogs starting out. But they did know to |
| properly. Your children will imitate you, and you want | | | | get help, and had the wisdom to listen and to do as |
| this done right." | | | | they were instructed. They learned that children and |
| The couple had agreed that they wanted a Rescue | | | | dogs DO mix if done right, with any breed! The best |
| Dog. They also wanted a medium size and moderate | | | | dogs for children? Just about any breed. Just do your |
| energy dog. I was told there was no preference of | | | | homework on the individual dog, introduce him |
| sex. | | | | properly, take your leadership position, and DO IT |
| At the shelter, I looked at many of the dogs who | | | | RIGHT! |