The holiday season is approaching and so are the visits to our relatives and friends homes. Dog and child safety is a vast topic and one that is dear to my heart, which I will cover extensively in future blog entries. Today, I want to give you  food for thought. No pun intended. : ) Turkey day is a time for family gatherings and often we have new family members and some who have grown older. I’m talking about everyone, even the four-legged kind.
Dog owners and parents of children need to be aware that accidents can happen, even with the nicest dog. Dog bites occur for many reasons and can happen from even the most unexpected little dog. Dog owners and parents, listen up! Do not look to the dog to show you whether he/she is good with children. Often it’s the circumstance that can create a quick snap at a child. Remember, accidents happen by mistake, not on purpose. One thing to know is that dogs can view children as submissive beings. In other words, dogs view kids as they would another dog, which means that rules during play can change rapidly.
Understanding why and how is half the battle of safety. For example, Â puppies lose their teeth (new teeth grow underneath their gums creating the need to bite and chew) and play with other dogs while wrestling with their mouths open. Kids are low to the ground, move fast and can be unpredictable with their movements. Older dogs can have physical changes happening that you are not aware of, creating a more protective reaction to sudden movements. Get it? Toy breeds have their own issues with children such as being picked up and accidentally hurt.
My main point to dog owners is that is up to us to ensure safety and not just deem the dog good or bad with children. I hear all the time from people that their dog is good with children. Yes, your dog may be good with children upon approach. However, an entire evening during a holiday party with both dogs and children loose in your house with cocktails flowing may create another story.
Parents can begin with knowing your child. Take into account your child’s age, reaction to animals and previous exposure to pets. This will help you understand where your child stands on the issue of dogs. Just because you own a great dog that’s used to kids doesn’t mean your friends’ or relatives’ dog is good with kids. Early preparation is best.  Speak to your relatives and friends in advance. Find out what some of the issues might be. Set up a puppy protocol! State your concerns about the evening or visit during the holidays.
There are hundreds of variables to this issue but one thing is for sure, I will be giving lots of tips on this topic in upcoming blogs!
Paws For A Minute™ tip of the day:
Listen up, dog owner and parents! Do not look to your dog or child to ensure safety. It’s up to us to be aware!
Max, a chocolate lab, saved his own life last week by honking the horn while trapped inside a car. After taking Max on a trip to run errands, his owner forgot to bring him back inside with her when she returned home. Incredibly, the 11 year old pup was smart enough to press down on the horn until his owner came to the realization that Max had spent an hour inside the scorching car. She immediately rushed him inside and cooled him down with cold, wet rags. Luckily, Max survived, but countless dogs perish every summer when temperatures soar. 
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