Long Time Breeder Royal Flush Havanese Offers Tips On Fostering A Successful Relationship Between Small Children And Small Dogs
Charlestown, RI (PRWEB) October 08, 2014 -- Most parents with young children have heard the question “Can we get a puppy?” at least a few times. However, adding a puppy into a mix of youngsters is often an area of contention. If not done correctly, introducing a young canine into a household with young kids can be a very hectic and stressful experience. However, by following these tips from Royal Flush Havanese, even the most inexperienced dog owner can create a rewarding relationship between their new puppy and their family.
Firstly, every household needs to be properly “puppy-proofed” prior to the arrival of the dog. All children in the house should learn not only how this is done, but also why these measures are being taken. Imagine a puppy as similar to a toddler– both can find their way into almost anything, putting themselves in danger in the process. In order to successfully make a household safe, keep all medication, trash cans, cleaning supplies, clothing, small objects, food crumbs, tobacco, cat litter, and any type of electrical or window cord out of the dog’s reach. In addition, it is always best to close off all stairwells with a gate, and to close all toilet bowl lids. Lastly, several household plants can be toxic to canines and should be removed. These include (but are not limited to) azalea, Calla lily, philodendron, and dieffenbachia.
Next, a set of rules explaining how to properly act around the puppy should be composed. Children should always be supervised when around the canine, especially during the first few weeks or until they have been familiarized with proper behavior. It is important that everyone in the household learn these rules too, as every interaction with the canine should be consistent. Most importantly, children should recognize that they should always play with the puppy in a controlled manner. Forcing the canine to play can cause unnecessary agitation: young puppies need to sleep 18-21 hours a day! All puppy and child interactions should take place on the floor, as it is easy for a canine to fall out of small arms and injure itself when it hits the ground. Next, children should know to never chase the puppy– when playing, the dog should always be the one doing the chasing. It is important to always be aware of where the puppy is, especially for smaller breeds like the Havanese, because it is easy for the dog to be stepped on, potentially causing him/her injury. During playtime, children should never play tug-of-war with a dog. If the dog regularly ends up winning the game, he/she will think they are above the kids in the ‘pack’ hierarchy. A great way to establish dominance is by always asking a puppy to sit before he/she receives any food, before playing, and before being put on a leash. This ‘sit’ command is a bit like asking a child to say ‘please’ when asking for something. Lastly, never startle or jump onto a puppy. This can cause the dog to not only become afraid, but to react in an alarmed manner (e.g. growling, nipping, or cowering). Always approach the puppy with a hand coming from underneath his/her head– this is less threatening and startling to a dog. These actions will erode away at built-up trust between the puppy and his/her new family. In short, playtime should be used productively, not for roughhousing.
Lastly, the new puppy must learn household rules as well. Start early, praise greatly, and practice frequently. Perhaps most importantly, he/she must learn that barking isn’t cute. Any behavior that is not tolerated in larger breeds should not be tolerated with smaller ones (see our article about Small Dog Syndrome). Other important aspects of puppy training include basic commands, housebreaking, crate training, leash training and stair climbing. Visit Royal Flush Havanese’s Puppy Care page for more detailed instructions on how to successfully train a new puppy.
Royal Flush Havanese is a BBB accredited business specializing in breeding and raising Havanese puppies born and raised in house in both Rhode Island and Florida. Royal Flush Havanese has been awarded a Certificate of No Complaints from the BBB and a company rating of A+ for outstanding dedication of honesty in the business place, customer satisfaction, and for ethical policies and procedures. Please join us in our quest to teach others about the loyal, gentle and lovable Havanese breed. Like us on Facebook and check out our YouTube where you can find even more helpful videos and informative tips for dog-enthusiasts and breeders alike.
Holly Mastroianni, Royal Flush Havanese, http://www.royalflushhavanese.com, +1 (888) 500-2298, [email protected]
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