Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family member?
It is Saturday night and you have planned for a babysitter to entertain and care for your children while you have a date with your spouse. Aaaahhhh adult time! Your sitter arrives and greets the kids and your eager dog. As you go over the rules, meal plan and emergency numbers your furry family member follows your every move. He even almost models how to diaper the youngest one. He is excited and not sure what is going on, but he is thrilled to have a new person to pay attention to him. You give hugs, kiss the kids Goodnight and give a pat to your pup as you head out. In your car you mentally go over the details to be sure you told the sitter everything. You drive off confident you have covered it all.
But have you? What about your dog? Do you know how this babysitter feels about dogs? Have you provided an area where the dog can be put so that they can focus full attention on the kids? What about if there is a thunderstorm? How will your dog react and what should the babysitter do?
It is important that parents learn about safe kid & k9 interaction so that they can help plan and prepare anyone who will be responsible for their children while they are away from home. When parents leave the home the dynamics change. This can create confusion for some dogs. Planning ahead sets everyone up for success. I suggest that parents find a quiet and secure spot for their k9 companion while away from home. Provide a stuffed kong or some kind of unique treat for these times. This will allow your babysitter to focus their full attention on the kids. If confining your dog is not an option then I encourage you to educate your babysitter about safe kid & k9 interaction. Learn about the signs and signals your dog offers to indicate stress.
Dogs and kids often share a unique bond. This is something to cherish. It is important to remember that they are dogs and perceive things very differently then we do. Learning about canine body language and behavior helps you to ensure a safe and loving bond between your canine and all family members.
About The Author
Jennifer Shryock
Canine behavior consultant
For more information please visit www.familypaws.com or email Jen@familypaws.com.
Jennifer Shryock is a canine behavior consultant that specializes in safe Kid & K9 interaction. Jennifer has a duo degree in Special Education/Elem Ed from Kutztown University and is currently enrolled in Cynology College where she will obtain a diploma as a Canine Behavior Theorist. http://www.doggonesafe.com
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
Many people consider plush toys great for children. They say... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More
We were sitting in the family room. My kids had... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More
For several years now, I've told the following story as... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Younger generations unfortunately will not understand how larger than life... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comLegacy to Your ChildrenIt's 6:30... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
Parenting |