Story and photos by Borden Black
A dog is patiently waiting at the bus stop for junior to come home from school. It’s a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, but may not portray the reality of the relationship between a child and pet.
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says it’s unrealistic to expect the child to do all the work. Getting a dog should be a family decision, since mom and dad will likely end up being the primary caregivers. An animal will bring a lot of changes to a household including new chores, possible damage to furniture and items left on the floor and the need for love and attention. “A lot of thought about living conditions and responsibilities should go into the decision before the family gets the pet so it won’t become a nuisance,” veterinarian Dr. Andrew Morrow advises.
It’s particularly important the adults have time to spend with the dog and child said Laura Ragsdale, owner of Harvard’s K-9 Center. “If you are interested in having a dog with young children then 100% of the time they are together they have to be supervised. If children hurt the puppy and it defends itself by snapping and the child backs off, then the puppy will learn quickly to snap.”
Selecting the right companion is an important step in what can be a wonderful part of growing up.
“It’s not one size fits all,” said Cindy Haines of PAWS Columbus.
“You’ve got to match the family’s lifestyle with the dog.” While she says a larger dog may be more tolerant of a child stepping on it or pulling on it, The Humane Society’s Tom Bryan says most of the dog bite cases he sees involve big dogs and small children.
Morrow advises the whole family situation must be taken into consideration. If there are a lot of children or a very young child in the family, a small dog risks being stepped on. The small animal may also be more easily frightened by a lot of activity, loud noises and by being picked up and fondled frequently. On the other hand a large dog may knock over a small child. The size of the residence and yard should also be considered. Allergies may dictate if a family should get a long or short-haired pet.
Although you shouldn’t stereotype a breed, experts point out that some of the sporting breeds, such as labradors and golden retrievers, make good pets for children. Breeds known for protective behavior, such as chows and rottweilers, may not be as good.
Puppies are cute but they are more work. Because they’re babies, they can be more fragile. They also have sharp teeth and claws and tend to jump up on small children and knock them down. Morrow points out they are also more expensive since they require shots and other initial care.
Adult dogs require less time and attention and according to Morrow, you know what you are getting with older dog. They are often more tolerant and more socialized.
A good place to adopt a grown dog is the Columbus Animal Control Center or Muscogee County Humane Society both located on Sacerdote Lane. Marion Martin at the Humane Society tells families that “an animal will pick their people.” When adoptive families come to the shelter, they encourage the child to spend time with the animal to see if they get along. Haines says the child and dog are also put together at the city shelter. “There is lots of new stimulation so if the animal is distracted, it’s understandable, but it should show casual interest in the child.” Both agencies also have puppies and kittens.
Once a dog is selected, Ragsdale says training is important.
“Training gives the dog manners and gives the owners an idea of how to treat the dog consistently and fairly. A group class is good way to socialize a puppy. When you get a fearful dog, that’s when you get dog bites.”
Haines reminds parents that not only should the dog be a suitable companion for the child, children need to be taught to treat their dog with compassion. “You need to teach them that if you pull the dogs hair or pull on his tail, it hurts just like it would hurt them.”
