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Preschoolers and Pooches
Take Precautions to Ensure a Peaceful Coexistence By Johnathon Allen
Providing that your child meets the "minimum age requirement," there are three basic rules Lachman advises for the happy pairing of child and canine.
First, and the good doctor is not alone on this rule, dogs and young children should never be left alone together. Parental presence is mandatory with dogs and young children because, no matter how docile an animal seems, there is no way to be absolutely certain it will not act aggressively in every given situation.
Second, it is important to provide the dog with its own space or, as Lachman refers to it, its own "sanctuary." The dog's sanctuary can be simply under a table or in a small room but, wherever it is, it should be totally off-limits to the child.
"Dogs are very sensitive to their surroundings," says Lachman. "Loud sounds and constant movement can stress them out to the point where they react harshly. Parents need to strictly enforce a sanctuary where the puppy can retreat to rest and know that everything is safe."
Lachman's third rule of thumb is that parents of very young children should not adopt mature dogs from animal shelters or friends. "Many older dogs were not adequately socialized with young children when they were going through their formative years. Therefore, they may be less patient and more aggressive."
To ensure the mutual safety of two- and four-legged family members alike, it's important that children are taught how to approach and handle a dog. They should not be allowed to pet the dog on the face, play tug-of-war, or bother the dog while it's eating or sleeping.