A MATTER OF SAFETY

Teach your dog to be well behaved around children.

Any dog may have to interact with a child at some point in its life.  For this reason, all dogs should be well mannered around children.  Take the time now to ensure your dog will know how to behave.  Every time an unacceptable behaviour is repeated, the more ingrained it becomes and the longer it will take to change it.

GREETING CHILDREN

Have your dog sit quietly at a playground	Gradually move towards the children.       Ask the children to be still, silent & calm	Have you dog calmly move toward the children.  Allow him to sniff one child's closed fist, then put him in a sit stay while the child pats him.

The next exercise is designed to teach the dog to look to you, his leader, for direction.  Add the wait command when you go through doorways, up or down stairs, or in and out of the car.  This will help restore his respect for you, as it strengthens his desire to come to you.

TEACHING THE WAIT COMMAND

Say "WAIT."  Open the door three inches, then immediately close it.	Repeat many times, gradually opening the door wider.  Remember to praise.	Hold the leash, fed through the side of the crate.  Open the door wide.  Praise.	Call the dog by name.  Use lots of encouragement.

Once the dog understands the wait command you can begin the blanket exercise.  This exercise is used when you are going to be introducing a new baby into the home.

THE BLANKET EXERCISE

Give the wait command.  Step forward, hand in front of dog's nose.	Repeat the exercise often.  Add enticing movement, but be prepared for your dog to move forward.  Verbally correct him as you move him back.  He should never touch the blanket.	Once he understands not to touch the blanket, add a baby monitor and a doll (smelling of baby powder).  Correct the dog if he tries to step on the blanket.  It may take several days before he settles down enough for you to introduce the real baby.

Introducing the baby This greeting should be no less elaborate than what you give everyday.  Weeks prior to the baby's arrival, teach a Sit Stay for all your greetings.  This will prevent resentment from developing.	Families with dogs Health Canada has recently reported 40 per cent of dog bites were by the family dog.  The mental anguish and emotional trauma children feel when a trusted pet hurts them is an ongoing concern.

Dogs have become welcome members of the family, valuable public servants, popular entertainers and proven providers of therapeutic benefits.   It is an injustice when dogs are destroyed due to inappropriate genetic selection, rearing or training.  It is said that everyone gets the dog they deserve.  Do the dogs deserve what they get?

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