For all that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken away, it gave millions of households across the country reason to add a furry friend to their lives. According to a survey from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more than 23 million American families have acquired pets since the start of the pandemic. That means millions more games of fetch and trips to the dog park. For kids, it might mean having more responsibilities. A dog, especially, can be a great way for children to learn important life lessons, so long as they know the proper ways to treat and care for a canine. Jennifer Maurer, founder of St. Louis-based dog training service PetImpact!, has helpful tips for families looking to integrate a new doggo into their home.
What’s the best way to introduce a new dog to a kiddo to make sure that the relationship gets off on the right foot (or paw)? With the initial greeting, you want to make sure it’s in a calm setting. Have the puppy sniff the child’s hands. It’s always proper that a child hold their fist in front of a puppy’s nose so the puppy can smell the child. I always tell children to pretend they’re a tree, and stand straight and erect. Another thing you’ll want to do is put the child’s sweatshirt or another piece of clothing they’ve been wearing in the crate. You want the puppy to be familiar with the different smells. Once the puppy gets used to the child, then the child can pet the puppy.
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Is there a recommended way for young children to pet dogs, especially puppies? You always want to pet under the chin. Puppies can feel insecure when you’re petting over the forehead.
What’s something that new dog owners are most surprised by after bringing their puppy home? Puppies like to play bite. Some people think that’s aggression, but it’s really not. The puppies are doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, it’s just that they’re supposed to be doing it with other puppies. When it happens with kids, it can be a problem. If the puppy thinks the child is another puppy, they might do a lot of play biting and cause kids to get anxious or scared. Every family thinks they’re the only ones struggling with it.
What are some ways families can get past that stage? I always tell people the most important thing you can do to correct the problem is to get your dog into training. That will help your dog see your child as a leader and not another puppy to play with. Secondly, puppies need to be playing with other dogs. So once your dog has all of its shots, make a plan so that they can play with other puppies.
How can parents make sure their kids aren’t interfering with a dog’s development? Puppies want to get into everything and it’s dangerous for them to swallow certain things. So it’s really important to be neat and tidy. There are also people foods that are dangerous for dogs, so parents should educate their children on what those are. The ASPCA has a list that’s really good.
What are some places around St. Louis that are both kid- and dog-friendly? There’s a cafe called The Wagamama (5836 Macklind) where you can bring your dog and have coffee. They also have a kids menu. The Laumeier Sculpture Park (12580 Rott) is welcoming of dogs, and Purina Farms (300 Checkerboard) has events on a regular basis that are kid-friendly and fun to do.
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