Safety Issues:
Kids and Rottweiles
Children and
rottweilers just seem to go hand-in-hand. Many adults have very fond
memories of their favorite dog when they were growing up. The bond
between a pet and a child can be very strong. However, there are
some safety considerations that need to be made before merging kids
and dogs.
Preparation is
crucial no matter what the pet situation is. Consider the safety
issues that families may face when visiting friends and relatives
that have rottweilers as pets. A small child needs to be prepared in
order to ensure that she does not startle the dog. The pet needs to
be prepared to deal with strange children.
Remember that
high pitched sounds resemble the sounds made by animals of prey. The
rottweiler may become very defensive if a child is screaming and
running in his direction. This may cause him to attack, thinking
that he needs to protect himself. The child means no harm, of
course, but the dog’s instincts are too strong.
The child needs
to learn how to behave around rottweilers. There are certain rules
that the child needs to follow. Approaching a strange rottweiler is
out of the question. This is a non-negotiable that the child needs
to follow through. The child may ask the owner if it is all right to
touch the animal but she should never simply touch the rottweiler
approach the animal without guidance.
A rottweiler may
attack if a kid screams and runs away. The dog may instinctually run
after the child as a result of a natural chase response that is part
of the canine’s wiring. The problem with this instinct is that it is
very difficult to get the dog to stop once he has started.
General Rules to
Follow
-
A very young
child should not be left alone with a dog, even if they are
familiar with each other.
-
The dog and child should be separated during meals, snacks and
the dog’s feeding time.
-
Provide the pet with a place to retreat if he gets overwhelmed.
This place should be off limits to children.
-
Teach children to how to pet a dog in a calm, relaxed manner.
-
Urge kids to avoid hugging and hitting the animal, especially
around the head and neck area.
-
Teach the children to avoid screaming and running past the dog.
-
Do not teach the rottweiler to play tug-of-war if he is going to
be around children. The rottweiler may use the child’s clothing
or appendages as a tug-of-war toy.
-
Avoid leaving the rottweiler tied in the yard alone for long
periods of time. Unsupervised animals can become agitated very
easily.
These are just a
few suggestions for parents and rottweiler owners to consider. There
are many more that are ideal for ensuring a safe environment for
interaction. Proper education and training are key factors in the
safety of both pets and kids. A great approach to starting off right
is through proper supervision and modeling the appropriate behavior
around dogs.
Written by Ryan Matthews of
Oh My Dog Supplies - currently offering a huge line of
designer dog carriers in over 40 styles
|