Guidelines for Families
with Children

    Safety is the number one thing when it comes to dogs and kids.  We want the dogs to learn to protect their family and kids.  At the same time, we want them to be their best play buddies.  For the puppies, they are looking to you, the parents, to help set guidelines and rules for how the children will play and interact with them, so that they too, are safe.  When these rules are broken, there needs to be appropriate age-specific enforced consequences for the children's actions.  As a family, you need to sit down and go over the rules that will apply to getting and having a new puppy in the home.  Getting a puppy is a big addition to a family that already has established routines and habits.  Some habits will need to be changed once having a puppy.  The puppy is like having a newborn baby that has needs and desires.  Listed below are some guidelines, thoughts and new rules to share with your children so that you have many happy years with your family's new puppy as it grows to be a full grown loving family dog.

1.  When walking around, always look to see where puppy is located so you don't step on him.  Many times, walking while scooting your feet is a good place to start.  No running for awhile until puppy has learned not to run under your feet.  Also, using socked or bare feet will assist in you being able to feel puppy's feet if you are stepping on them.  We park our shoes at the door on entering our home. 

2.  Search the house for hazards and correct all problem areas before you have a serious accident.  Being pro-active is better than reactive.  Accidents will happen, but if we can forsee them before they can happen, many accidents are preventable.

3.  Get a dog book to help give you advice on how to treat a dog and READ it for suggestions on training.

4.  The kids should not pick up puppy until he has learned to trust them.  They are very squirmy and can jump out of their hands very quickly, hurting themselves.  Usually, the puppy will bond with one person that they feel the most comfortable and secure with first, then that person can help with the exposure and introduction to the other family members to get puppy comfortable with all of them.

5.  When wanting to learn how to pick up the puppy, start with sitting or lying in the floor either in the Indian style or on your tummie, so puppy can sit in your lap or come to you.  Then, gradually progress to puppy correcctly being held in the arms supporting the feet, body and uppper body.  Fragile arteries and nerves are in the armpits which can be damaged if picked up incorrectly.  Also, if puppy feels insecure, puppy can jump out of your arms and hurt himself badly.  For the first week, I suggest that the kids not pick up their puppy, if possible.  If puppy comes to you and stands up like he wants to be picked up, you have progressed to the next level and some trust is being shown.  Picking up, holding and snuggling permission has been granted by the puppy.  It might only last for a few seconds, so be prepared for a squirming puppy wanting down.

6.  If puppy runs under the bed, chairs, couch or under furniture, don't pull puppy out, unless puppy is in danger.  Allow puppy to come out on his own timing, once he feels secure.  You can encourage puppy to come out by offering him a treat.  He is showing his fear at that time.  He will come out when he doesn'[t feel threatened.  When puppy does come out, ignore him and allow him to come to you on his terms.  Don't use quick motions and loud sounds to scare puppy.  Even the refrigerator may hum differently that what he is used to, so even different sounds can scare him.  Until he learns that these are normal noises, he will show insecurity and fear.  This could be shown by cowering, tucking of the tail between his legs, shifting in the eyes from side to side while checking out options for escape, not making eye contact with you, or even growling.  Pulling puppy out could also cause bones to pop out of joint, injuring him for the rest of his life.

7.  When going in and out of the door, get into the habit of watching the door close to make sure puppy is NOT in the door.  Don't let the door slam on puppy's body or his paws.  Better yet, get into the habit of giving puppy the commands to stay and back, that way, they get the idea that it is not okay to dart out of an open door.

8.  Areas where there are heights greater than puppy's height, safety guards need to be in place such as babygates, fencing, or objects so they can't fall off. 

9.  Steps are not recommended until they are about 6 months of age.  Puppy's joints and knees are still forming, so jumping up and off furniture is not recommended until about 2 years of age.  Even though they want to try to jump, their perception and coordination is not developed.  They might fall down a big set of stairs, hurting themselves badly.  They won't mean or want to hurt themselves, but they are little babies and don't know the danger. 

10.  Remember that the relationship you start will help you get that dog you always wanted.  Dog's don't come in pre-trained, pre-packaged box.  The dog you will have 2 years after you get them is time and energy you put into him.  If he is unruly, undisciplined and untrained, that is what you will have later, a big problem.

11.  The puppy is a living being, not a baby doll or toy.  They do not need to be strolled in a baby stroller, taken to the top of a slide and allowed to slide down or treated as an object.

12.  His arms and legs only move a certain way.  Don't pull on the legs or feet, you can break them.  Learn to know your touch.  When you are rubbing and petting puppy be considerate of how hard you are rubbing.

13.  Puppies are going to make messes and chew on things.  When they do, correct appropriately so you don't break puppies trust.  No hitting, ranting or raving.  All of those wonderful wooden furniture itmes including door frames, look like good teething toys to a puppy.  When being unsupervised, puppy needs to be in a playpen, crate, or enclosed area without furniture in their reach.  When they are caught chewing on something you don't want them to chew on, correct by making the correction noise, saying, "No, NO" and then handing them something that they can chew on lik a nylabone.  You will need to teach them what they can chew on.

14.  At first, while things are new, only let puppy out with the kids for about 20-30 minutes at a time while being supervised.  Then give puppy about 2-3 hours of alone time in a small enclosed area like an exercise pen.  Once your child has demonstrated trust and good playing habits with the puppy, then you can gradually start to let them interact without supervision.   This is not only for the safety for the puppy, but for your children.  If you don't correct bad behaviors towards the puppy with your children, this can lead towards your puppy getting more aggressive, like growling, nipping and eventually biting your child or other's.  Other behaviors could be opposite like submissive, stress urination.  This is when a puppy starts to cower and start peeing while being touched out of fear.  Once any of these behaviors are see, it is difficult to correct.  Puppies don't already know how to behave and interact with children and their unpredictable behavior.  Even if they have learned to be confortable with children, this exposure needs to be continued because puppy doesn't remember behaviors in long term until they are older.

15.   Don't ever run or chase after puppy.  This will teach them to run away from you.  You want to teach puppy to follow you and come to you, not fear you.  Call their name and have them chase you. 

16.  When having guests over, puppy needs to be with the person they trust the most at greetings or in a small safe place.  That way puppy is comfortable and can learn that guests are okay.  Dog's are very sensitive to their human's feelings. They can also pick up that person's energy by their touch, tone of voice and communication style that is being used.  Once puppy feels secure and non-threatened, puppy can be let down to sniff that person and walk around freely.  When the guests are children, puppy either needs to be put up or supervised with the kids at all times because those other children may not protect your puppy the way you would desire.

17.  When moving the vehicle, always know where your puppy is before putting it in motion.

18.  When there are bodies of water around the house, either keep them guarded by fences, height of walls or supervise puppy while out around the water.  Puppy might think it is fun to play in the water, but may be unable to get out and could drown.  How horrible to find your puppy dead in the water.  When going swimming, it's a good idea for puppy to wear a lifejacket.  They maybe okay to swim for awhile, but can tire easily and unable to make it back to shore.