Lots of us live in a busy household. As the kids grow up, they often ask if they can have a pet puppy or kitten. If you have a baby in the house, or you’re about to have one, you may be wary of having any pets around. And with so many terrible stories in the press about dogs hurting babies, you could be forgiven from shying away from puppies altogether. But this could be a mistake. Having a dog in the house can be safer than you think if you just take a few precautions.
It’s rarer than you think for babies or children to have allergies to pet hair. Of course, if you feel this would be a problem, you can choose shorter haired breeds that are less likely to be a problem. Small children and babies will always put anything they can in their mouths. If you’re concerned they may choke on shed hair or fur, then make sure your dog is regularly trimmed and bathed.
Moniqui is the photographerBabies lack mobility or any control over their position for the first few months. That means they would be unable to push a dog off their chest or face. The best way to avoid a dog getting too cozy is to keep him out of the room when you’re not there. Make it very clear that the baby’s crib is out of bounds. Dogs are usually very obedient once they understand the rules.
Dogs have a habit of leaving their toys lying around the room. If your baby is in that room, just be sure to clear away the toys. It’s not just germs you need to be concerned with. Some dogs can be quite possessive about their toys and become aggressive if the baby started to play with them. Make it clear to the dog that baby’s toys are not for him too.
Small children and babies have a habit of grabbing what they can reach. This could include your dogs tail, which might be painful. If your dog lashes out, your baby may be hurt. To avoid this situation, let your children know and reinforce the rules about how to touch the dog. You should keep the baby and dog separate if your child is keen to pull, tug or bite. They all grow out of it, but it’s best to avoid an incident. You should also keep your dog’s medications out of reach just as you would your own. Even chewable ones like Heartgard should only be given to your dog when the children are out of the way.
As your children grow, they will want to play out in the garden or yard. Fence off the play area from the dog’s area. This will ensure that no mess gets near the kids, and you can keep the dog away from the children while they are playing. Soon your children are steady on their feet and more assured of themselves. The kids and dogs can play together and enjoy each other’s company immensely.
Owning a dog doesn’t have to be dangerous when you have a baby or small children. Just a few adjustments and an eagle eye could be enough to make sure everyone can play nicely together. It doesn’t take long for the kids and pets to be the very best of friends without risk at all.
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