Child Safety

Teach children:

• NOT to reach for the dogs head the first time they meet a dog or excessively rough house around their own dog's head or face.
• NOT to look a dog straight in the eyes, which could be seen as a threat or a challenge by the dog.
• NOT to run up frantically to a dog, which may react fearfully and defend its self or jump and bite at the child's face.
• NOT to scream loudly at a dog, which could stress a dog or startle it, causing an aggressive response.
• NOT to bother the dog while it is eating or chewing on a chew toy, which could trigger an aggressive guarding response, especially if the child is fewer than seven of age, where he/she is looked at by the dog as a competing animal in the pack.
• NOT to hit, kick, slap, ride or tease the dog in any manner.
• NOT to leave the child and the dog alone until the child is older than 8, and can control its impulses.
• DO have the child participate in the training under direct supervision.
• DO give the dog attention when the child is also receiving attention so the dog makes a better association with the child.

Related links:

• Child compatability (in "Before You Buy" section)
• Obedience