Young at Heart Cotons
Young at Heart CotoNEWSJune 10, 2011
In This Issue
Questions About Children and Puppies
Dog Lover's PAWS for Thought
Words of Wisdom
Quick Links



Questions & Answers

Questions About Children and                    Puppies

Dear Scarlet.....should  children and puppies be left together unsupervised??

No. Although children and pups may naturally go together well, and form a close bond of love, it is not wise to leave them alone together, for safety reasons. The instinct of a child is to think of a puppy as a toy, which they may try to climb, ride, poke, or pinch. This could lead to an accident, unless the interaction between the child and the pup is monitored by an adult.

What rules should children be taught about handling puppies? 

First of all children must be taught that a puppy is a member of their family (not a toy), that must be treated gently, and with kindness and respect. Other important rules that children should be taught are:

  • Never attempt to take away food or a bone when a puppy is eating.
  • Never startle or sneak up on a puppy that is sleeping or resting. As the saying goes humans should "let sleeping dogs lie."
  • Children should never handle a pup roughly, pinch or poke him, tease him, or pull his ears, legs, or tail.
  • Children should never growl, stare, or bark at a puppy. (even in fun)
  • Children should be taught that puppies don't chew gum or eat candy.
  • Children should be taught never to pick up a pup by his front legs (this can permanently damage the pup's shoulder) 

Remember, if you don't protect your puppy from children, you will be forcing your puppy to protect himself. Threatened pups may react by growling, snapping, or biting.

 

Can children be taught to play appropriately with a pup??

Absolutely. Hide and seek, fetch, catch, etc. are all appropriate games for children to play with pups.

Dog Lovers "Paws" for Thought

 

"For me a house becomes a home when      you add one set of four legs, a happy tail,  

and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog."  

 

       Roger Caras 

        


     Words of Wisdom and Encouragement

                                                     


   A patient man  

 

       has great   

       understanding, but                 

  a quick-tempered  

 

man displays folly. 

 

Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)  

 


      

 

 CONTACT  INFORMATION 

     

 Tom Rimmer

Young At Heart Cotons

301-801-0845(c) or 814-808-6056(h)

tomrimmer@ comcast.net