Dogs need their space and deserve to live in an environment where they can live injury free, pain free and anxiety free. Owners should not allow their children to do anything to a pet that they would not allow them to do to another child. This means hitting, teasing, jumping on, screeching at and chasing the dog. Owners must think about the fact that even if their dog tolerates this behaviour - the next dog your children meet may not. The results can be disastrous.
Owners can prepare children at a very early age by teaching proper and gentle animal handling.
Stop any teasing, hitting or running toward the dog immediately. Teach children not to bother the dog when they are sleeping or lying down quietly. Children learn by example so owners must ensure that their animal etiquette is top notch. Page last updated March 20, 1997.