Tips that will Help your Child and your New Puppy Bond
This is a partnered post.
If you are thinking about getting a new puppy then you will know how exciting this can be. You may feel as though there is just so much to plan for and that you can’t wait to introduce them to your kids. This is understandable but if you want to make sure that your dog is a welcome addition to the family then you need to help both your kids and the new arrival to bond properly so that a mutual level of understanding can be reached.
Tire your Dog Out First
Before you bring your dog home, you need to make sure that they are a little tired out. You might want to take them for a walk, or even play with them a little bit. This will help them to release some of that pent-up nervous energy. It also helps them to be calm and submissive for when you introduce them to your child as well.
Let the Child Go to Them
Another thing that you need to do is make sure that your child goes to the dog. If you let your dog bound over then this can cause your child to be nervous and they may even have a bad experience. This is the last thing you need, so try and tell your child to be calm and also encourage them to be still before they pet the puppy. You also need to try and make sure that the dog is safe too. If the dog thinks that you are controlling them too much, or that they cannot get away then this can cause them to lash out and cause injury to either you or the child. To get around this, sit with the dog in the centre of the room so they don’t feel cornered, and patiently
wait until the right moment to call your child over.
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Teach the Kids how to Pet the Puppy
Babies and even toddlers are still learning about the world. Their instinct may be to try and grab everything that catches their interest, but this can scare the dog or cause them to become agitated. If you want to help them then encourage your child to pet the dog on the side of their face, or even under their chin. Your child should also be told not to sneak up on the dog or touch them when they are asleep.
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Learn the Dog’s Body Language
Tucked tails and even flattened ears can be a tell-tale sign that your dog is feeling a little overwhelmed. You need to know your puppy and you also need to know when they have had enough for one day too. If you want to help your child be involved with the dog then take them out to choose a lead or even a new toy. You might also want to look into this Print Your Pet review so you can find something special. Either way, the more you involve your child, the more responsible they’ll feel and the better they’ll be around the dog too.