Hi everyone,

I'm new to this particular group, but I found this thread and it caught
my attention.

I recently worked on putting together some information for parents to
use when they are getting a dog for their children. I myself have two
preschoolers.

Here is a sum up of my report, please pass the following on to parents
you know:

- children (especially under school age) should NEVER play with a dog
unsupervised.(That does not mean just being in the same house - it
means watching them).
- no child should play with more than one dog at a time (regardless of
the parent's trust of the child or dogs in this scenario, children can
easily be caught between two dogs and unintenionally be harmed)
- children should never roughhouse with their dogs.
- children should be taught not to hug their dog or kiss it on the face
(a common cause of facial injuries). Rubbing bellies or scratching
behind the ear are generally ways dogs enjoy to receive attention.
Hugging and kissing can be misconstrued and therefore CAN be dangerous.
- Parent's should take steps to have a trained dog for a family pet and
avoid putting the dog OR child in an unsafe position. Seperate them
when you can't supervise.

I recognize many parents (including myself) have allowed these
situations to occur. I also know some people will feel strongly that
their dog IS trustworthy. Maybe it is, but for every story I read that
says the "family dog had never harmed anyone before" and that the
children must have provoked them, I feel that someone was not properly
trained - dog, kid or parent - and the attack might have been
prevented.

My heart goes out to the family who must be suffering shame and grief
from the loss. Let's hope this reminds parents to be more careful. It
is not only pitbulls who can cause these problems.

--

Shannon

http://www.best-dog-breed-for-children.com