Dogs And Children...They Can Get Along.

You have a dog and you also have small children but are concerned that one day your dog will turn on the kids because they are so loud and rambunctious.  Do you give the animal up because of your concerns?  Has this already happened and you think the only thing to do is surrender the dog?  Here's some ideas that might help you reconsider this decision.

**What I'm about to say is completely animal dependent and will depend on the personality of the animal.**

What was going on when the incident happened?  If the dog was eating or had just got done eating then the dog is still thinking along the lines of food so anything that gets in the way of that might be considered a threat.  Keep small children, or any child, away from your dog until the dog is COMPLETELY done eating and licking the area around where the food was placed.  If you have an infant then do not let the dog around the child during feeding time as the dog might lick the child and may eventually see the child as a food source.

If the kid(s) are playing rather loudly and making quick movements around a dog that is resting then the dog may be startled and nip the kid(s) to let them know that's not appropriate.  That is what they do to their own children.  This is not aggressive behavior at all but merely behavior modification.  Just tell your children to play elsewhere the dog is tired and wants to nap.

So you're pregnant and the dog is great with you, maybe a little more protective, and you aren't sure how s/he will do once the baby arrives.  There are so many ways to get your dog used to the idea of the new baby such as having him/her around children prior to the birth, letting him/her sniff baby clothes, mention the baby's name a lot, etc.  Making it the most positive experience for the dog and for you is key.

This link is to a wonderful behaviorist who can answer any questions you may have as to appropriate introductions or any issues you may be having.  She has dealt a lot with rescue animals and has a rescue pittie (pit bull) herself (you have to ask her about Windsor if you contact her).  Her name is Jennifer Shryock and the business name is Family Paws.

http://familypaws.com/

It is also extremely important to remember that no matter how much training your dog has had or how good the dog is with children you must NEVER leave them alone together.  Anything can happen by accident and you MUST teach your children how to interact with any animal appropriately.  You, as the parents, are the key to that success.

There are trainers you can contact as well if you want to work on some things with your dog or have questions or need to start your puppy in some basic classes.  One trainer I am personally a fan of (I used them when I had my rottweiler and they worked wonders with her and me) is:

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

They are extremely professional and very easy to work with.  Donnie was my trainer and if you don't have a thick skin and can handle some direct constructive criticism then they have other very qualified trainers as well.

Above all, make sure everyone is safe and remember your dog is just that...a dog and not a human.  Responsible parenting doesn't stop with the non-furry children.  It extends to the furry ones as well.  Click on the above links or check out my other post about introducing pets to children to get some more ideas on this topic.

As always, we welcome questions, comments and topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and be sure your family and friends know about us as well.  Thanks for reading!

Are You Really The Alpha In Your Dog's Life? What Does That Even Mean?

As dog owners it is our responsibility to be the "alpha" in the relationship.  This just simply means you're the boss.  Like with your children someone has to be in charge and that is YOU.  It really is not hard to become alpha but it does take persistence and consistency.  I personally learned that the hard way with my rottweiler.  She was hard headed and stubborn but I was more stubborn than she was so I won, but never stopped letting her know I was still in charge.

Training is very important as well.  This can never stop over the course of your dog's life because, depending on the breed, they always need something to learn and do in order to keep themselves busy.  Whether it is interactive toys, playtime, agility training, etc. it doesn't matter.  Keeping your dog's mind occupied and stimulated is important because a bored dog is a destructive dog.  Here are some links that have some great information:

http://www.dog-adoption-and-training-guide.com/alpha-dog.html

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdog.htm

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/alpha1.html

http://www.nck9solutions.com/

The last link you visited, as you noticed, is a trainer's website.  This trainer is in the Raleigh, NC, USA area and is one of the best I have found.  They are honest, knowledgeable and will work with you no matter what problem you are having.  Ultimately they are training you and not your dog.

Now, all of this being said, what is really the worst thing that could happen if you don't train your dog?  I mean you have the sweetest dog on earth right?  Yes, we all do.  However, if you don't train and socialize your dog then you will have a dog that will bite your visitors, makes walking very stressful because he/she will go exactly where he/she wants to and will take you with them because you let them, one that will growl at you if you try to take a food bowl away and one you can't take to pet stores or dog parks.  Now that sounds fun doesn't it.

A lot of small dog owners think it's cute when their little one barks their little heads off at other people or growls at them.  I can tell you it is not cute or appropriate behavior from any size dog.  This behavior needs to be changed by you becoming alpha.  Little dogs need an alpha just like big dogs.  Size doesn't matter.

 

As you can see from these two pictures, these dogs are showing aggressive or maybe territorial behavior.  The top picture shows the human walking away from the barking dog which means the dog has won and thinks he is now above that human which is obviously not what you want. A calm, confident dog that is social and most importantly listens to you is what you want.

So what do you do?  Well your stance says a lot to your dog.  So does your tone of voice.  I'm not talking about yelling, but a firm and stern tone definitely gets the point across.

Personally the most important thing for my dog has been consistency and persistence.  That really is key.  He gets really excited when I get home and tries to jump.  I simply ignore him until he's calm and then he gets love.  I actually do that with both the dogs when they are both in that mood and it has worked really well thus far.  It's always a work in progress but nonetheless it is working. 

I hope my few tips have given you some ideas and you will contact a trainer in your area if you are having problems with your dog.  Also, if you have a little dog such as a yorkie, maltese, etc. please do not think their barking incessantly or growling is cute.  It's not.  It simply means your 5 pound dog is in charge of you and your home.

As always we welcome any productive and respectful comments and questions.  Please let us know if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us!  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well.  Thanks for reading!