Kids and Furkids

Having just read an article about a young girl who was bitten by a service dog of another young girl who suffers from brain cancer, I am compelled to throw in my 2 cents.  The outcome of the incident can be found here.  (According to the original story, Ava, the dog, was on leash with the owner's father when a game in the neighbor's yard resulted in the bite.)  We'll never know for sure what actually happened, but nobody really won in the end.  


Little people and dogs go hand in hand.  Er, hand in paw.  Young children just seem to take to dogs without reservation or fear.  They’re fascinated by them, as soft, warm toys that play back! That relationship stays strong as long as fears aren’t instilled in them by worried, overly anxious parents.  As the puppies roll into the clinic with their new families – we are in puppy season, after all - we see these new relationships burgeoning into what will hopefully become life-long friendships. 

You can’t help but smile when a little child announces, “This is Bella!”, or “This is Cody!” signaling to the family’s new furkid.  Their voices ring with pride at the announcement of their new family member.  Some of these kids will fall head over heels in love with this new pup and spend hours each day playing with him, trying to keep him awake from puppy naps and forcing him to sit at tea parties in pink frilly dresses.  Other kids see the new puppy as competition for their parents’ attention, an intruder that has made the entire family suddenly switch focus from child to canine.  Still others just giggle at their parents’ frustration at this new biting, chewing, pooping little demon. 

Strangely, though, all of these children will lay their hands all over the new puppy.  They’ll stroke her fur and gaze into her eyes.  Even the toddler that pushed his puppy away screaming “NO!” as the small writhing form tried to climb into his lap, eventually relented.  He allowed her to settle in his lap by the end of the exam visit, playing quietly with her toes.  Another little boy laughed loudly when we took his pup’s temperature, later poking the poor pup’s bum with his finger until his mom scolded him, “We don’t want to hurt her, darling, she’s ours to care for!”  At this, he smiled, hugging her tightly.

None of these kids showed any fear of the puppies.  All were filled with curiosity.  The lessons were becoming clear – there is another besides me with feelings, thoughts, and wants.  If I am gentle with this puppy, I won’t hurt it.  It wants to be near me and play with me.  Where is that adult fear of dogs?  Where are the preconceived ideas about breeds?  

They simply aren’t there yet.  Those ugly things are taught. 

I’ve always been amazed by peoples’ ignorance about dogs and their behavior.  And in trying to become a calm, assertive leader to my dogs (both human and canine), I see where others are anxious and ambivalent (or entirely absent) with training.  As a society that welcomes dogs into our homes, shouldn’t adults apply themselves to learning not only about dogs, but teach kids how to behave calmly and appropriately around dogs - both familiar and unknown?  All kids should be universally educated to live with dogs. At least one segment of 1st or 2nd grade science class should be dedicated to understanding dog behavior, and proper etiquette around them.  

"Always ask if it's okay to pet another person’s dog."

"Never stare straight into a dog’s eyes at eye level."

"Don’t take food away from a dog while she's eating."
"Never run away from a strange dog or pack of dogs"

You know, all those common sense rules…All the rules we hammered into T so she could love dogs respectfully and simply.  We didn’t yield on the animal rules.  If she broke them and behaved poorly around animals, she earned a time-out.  Today, at 13 years old, she has beautiful dog manners.  Now we are teaching her about body language and calm, assertive ways of being around the girls.  

Let me clarify - I am NOT saying that children are responsible for dog bites.  I am simply saying that the best defense is a good offense.  If parents teach their children  how to deal correctly with a dog while the children are young and curious, their relationships with dogs will be richer.  They'll understand them and not fear what is mysterious, or unknown.  They'll fight the media hype over breed absurdities and listen to their experiences and hearts. They'll read body language and become more aware of the world around them.  

Kids love dogs because they're pure and honest.  They’re warm and soft, and they make time for them when the adults are busy.  The lesson to pass on here, is to trust the lessons of nature.  Those 1^st impressions of dogs and the natural world are real, untainted and precious.  Parents are ultimately responsible for their children's knowledge and ignorance.  Learn about what you don't know first, then share that knowledge with your kids.  

  
The Universe and the dogs of the world will thank you for it!