Babies and children should never be left unsupervised with puppies or dogs. Learning to respect, understand, care for, and successfully control a dog gives a dramatic boost to any child's self-esteem. But these benefits do not come by magic. Children and parents alike must realize that cartoon dogs are fantasy, and Lassie was several well-trained dogs. Both Lassie and Timmy were acting. In the domestic environment, both dogs and children must learn how to act around each other. All dogs must be taught how to act around children, and all children must be taught how to act around dogs
Teaching Dogs How to Act Around Children|
To improve children's confidence and self-esteem, it is vital
their puppy- and dog-training exploits succeed. Success
depends upon adult planning, participation, and direction. First,
adults must teach the puppy or dog how to act in a controlled
manner, and second, adults must teach children how to control the now mannerly puppy or dog.
Adults should use kibble to lure-reward train the puppy to come, sit, lie down, stand, and roll
over. "Come," "Sit," and "Lie down" are the basic control commands, and "Stand" and "Roll over"
are the best commands for examining the dog's body. Additionally, adults should handfeed kibble
while cuddling (restraining) the puppy and while stroking and fondling (examining) his muzzle,
ears, paws, belly, and rear end. The puppy will soon learn to positively associate restraint and
examination with food.
Provide children with tasty treats (in addition to kibble) and instruct them how to lure-reward
train the now easily controlled puppy. The puppy will quickly learn that training is fun and being
trained by children is especially fun. Families without children at home must invite children to
meet, handfeed, and train the puppy during his first three months in his new home. Young puppies
are impressionable, cute, and non-threatening. Invite family, friends, and neighbors with children,
i.e. children the puppy is likely to meet as an adult.
Instruct the children how to use kibble and treats to lure-reward train the puppy or dog to come,
sit, lie down and roll over. By approaching and sitting close, the dog voluntarily accepts and
enjoys the child's company. By sitting, lying down, and rolling over, the dog acknowledges and
respects the child's requests. In other words, the child asks and the dog agrees. Or we could say,
the child commands and the dog willingly complies. Moreover, by rolling over on request, the dog
shows voluntary and happy appeasement. Quite frankly, willing compliance and happy deference
towards children is the only workable solution for pet dog training.
Additionally, as a major beneficial side effect of lure-reward training, the dog grows to like and
respect his trainer: "Wow! Children are fun; they give lots of treats. Of course, you have to sit to
receive them...but then that's just common canine courtesy!"
All owners should seek family puppy training classes, in which both puppies and children are
allowed to interact off-leash.
New Baby
All dogs must be taught to thoroughly enjoy the presence and actions of babies. The solution is
classical conditioning. From the outset, integrate your dog into all new baby moments and
routines. When feeding the baby, sit down comfortably, and handfeed kibble to your dog at the
same time. Pick up the baby whenever he cries and then call your dog and offer a treat as you
cuddle and shush the baby. (You will find the baby calms down more quickly if you are slightly
distracted by talking to the dog.) When changing the baby's diapers, handfeed freeze-dried liver
to the dog. (Keep a treat jar on the diaper-changing table.) In no time at all, your dog will form
strong positive associations with the baby's feeding, crying, cuddling, and diaper-changing. You
may find your dog adopts her baby-minding role with great enthusiasm. Your dog may promptly
alert you whenever your baby cries, or messes his diapers. Yes, you will have trained a Dirty
Diaper Detection Dog.
same time. Pick up the baby whenever he cries and then call your dog and offer a treat as you cuddle and shush the baby. (You will find the baby calms down more quickly if you are slightly distracted by talking to the dog.) When changing the baby's diapers, handfeed freeze-dried liver to the dog. (Keep a treat jar on the diaper-changing table.) In no time at all, your dog will form strong positive associations with the baby's feeding, crying, cuddling, and diaper-changing. You may find your dog adopts her baby-minding role with great enthusiasm. Your dog may promptly alert you whenever your baby cries, or messes his diapers. Yes, you will have trained a Dirty Diaper Detection Dog.