How to make sure your kids are safe with your dog is a query many parents make especially if a new baby is being brought home to a home where a family dog already lives.
Unfortunately the news is all too often giving reports of family dogs mauling or even killing a child.
Here we will look at ways to make sure of the safety of your child with a dog.
Children just love animals, it's a fact, and most children are first introduced to animals through a family pet.
As dogs are the number one choice for family pets this means most children will be introduced to interacting with animals through a dog.
The safety of your child should always be the first priority of any parent.
If you feel that your child would not be safe around your dog then you really need to make some choices.
This may be because your dog has bitten someone before or they may be over playful.
If this is the case then carefully consider if having a dog in the home is the right choice.
Your child must always come first and if this means rehoming your dog then this is a decision that must be made.
If your dog is well tempered and has no history of biting and you are confident in their manner then a home with children shared by a dog can be a very happy place.
The golden rule for kids with dogs is to always supervise.
Never leave your dog alone with a child.
In most reported cases where a dog has harmed a child the adult supervising has left them unattended, even for a few seconds.
You just do not know what is happening if you are not there and if an incident does occur in your absence you will be unable to intervene.
When your child is very small or a baby it is very important to always be next to your dog.
Dogs are very inquisitive animals and will want to smell your child and see what they are.
When bringing home a new baby it is a good idea to very slowly introduce the dog to the child.
Place a blanket from the child's crib in the dogs bed at first.
This allows the animal to smell the new smell.
A dog's main sence is smell.
Once your dog has spent a night with the blanket and you bring baby home it is very important that you are in charge of the situation.
Dogs need to have a leader and they will take their que from you if you are their leader.
Older children will want to play with the dog and again supervision should be constant.
A dog at play can often bite inadvertently when excited, and allowing your dog to become overly exited should be avoided.
Never allow your child near a dog which is feeding.
Dog's will guard their food source and a child should be kept separate from your pet when they are enjoying their meal.
Think about how you can separate your dog and child.
Do you have a room the animal can be placed to allow separation.
Perhaps a child gate can provide an area where the dog can be put.
This helps also in showing your dog that you are the leader.
Overall, remember your child must come first in every situation.
If at any time a dog snaps or bites a child then do not give that animal a second chance.
The next time could lead to terrible consequences.