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Smart Mom

Puppy love Is your family ready to welcome Fido? By Doug PoindexterPublished: May, 2009

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Your children are begging for a puppy, and you would love one too, but when is the right time to bring a dog into your home?     While owning a dog can be a great experience for families, it is important to understand the responsibilities that come hand-in-hand with pet ownership. Dogs not only need food and shelter, they also need a lot of attention and training.    If your family feels it is ready to take on this responsibility, the next step is determining which type of dog will be compatible with your family’s lifestyle. For example, a rambunctious puppy may not be the best choice for small children, as they require lots of time, patience, training, socialization and supervision. Additionally, a puppy can be injured by a well-meaning child who wants to pick him up, hug him or pull on his tail or ears. Puppies have sharp teeth and claws, so all interactions between your child and puppy will need to be supervised to keep them both free from injury.     If you have small children, bringing an adult dog into the home might be the best option. As a general rule, if you have a child less than 6 years of age, it is best to get a dog over 2 years old. Adoption agencies and local rescue groups are filled with mature dogs of all sizes that might just make the perfect addition to your home.     When choosing a dog, you should also take size into consideration. For a family with young children, it may be best to choose a larger breed of dog that is less susceptible to injury if a small child should mistakenly pull its tail or stumble into it.     Before bringing a dog into the home, you will also need to consider the wellbeing of any of your existing pets. Bringing a new animal into the home will be a big adjustment for your other pets; even friendly, well-natured animals take time to learn how to share food, territory and an owner’s affection with a new pet. Gradual introductions are important.    When you bring home the new pup, he should be kept separate from other pets and confined to a “neutral” room with a few toys, a blanket and water. Spend some quality time alone with your new pet, and then introduce him to the other animals while he is on a leash.     These reminders and tips should help prepare you and your family for your new four-legged friend. For more ideas on merging your new family member, check out petsource.org for expert advice and resources.     Remember, the decision to bring a new pet into your home is a lifelong commitment. Do your research; learn about the type of animal you are considering and what is required to maintain its health and happiness.     Understanding the needs of your new pet will make your experience one that is filled with joy and love for many years to come. SAY HELLO TO ROVER Introducing your new dog to your children will be the start of a long, loving relationship. While supervising their introduction, keep the following tips in mind: > Have your child sit while holding and petting the dog. > Let your child give a treat by placing it in an open palm. > Create a calm introduction between your child and the new pet. It is important to keep their excitement to a minimum until you know how each will respond to the other. > Supervise their playtime. A dog may respond to a child’s quick movements by chasing, jumping or even trying to knock him down. > Enrolling your dog in an obedience class will help him understand what is and isn’t good behavior. > Teach your child to keep his toys out of the dog’s reach. Also, buy chew toys for your new dog, so it will not mistake your child’s toys for its own. Doug Poindexter is president of the World Wide Pet Industry Association.

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