The
Large Dog and Children
(Author
Unknown)
1. Do not
allow a child, however small to, tease the dog either
physically or verbally. The child who shrieks and leaps
incessantly beside a nervous puppy may drive him to snap out
in fear as quickly as the child who grabs it's tail or sits on
it. If a child is persistent, remove him. Do not even once
allow him to continue.
2. Do not let a small child to pick up
or carry a puppy. Puppies, like babies are afraid of falling.
They will often squirm and fight to free themselves. If
successful, they may break a leg. (Vet bills are not cheap.)
If panicked they may even bite. Remember, in this case, it is
not the puppies fault, but yours for allowing the situation to
progress to the point where the puppy can no longer cope with
it. Encourage the child to get down on the puppies level,
ie.,the floor for fun and games. They can play all they like
without either one getting hurt and the puppy is free to move
away when he has had enough. A child may not realize the fact
that he has inadvertently cornered the pup and set in motion a
series of instinctive behavior mechanisms.
3. Do not expect the pup to absorb
endless punishment in the form of constant noise or teasing.
He will learn to defend himself unless he has some place to go
such as a crate, bed, corner, or run where he can go when he
does not want to be disturbed. Make certain that everyone
understands that he is not to be disturbed there, and then
make sure that he is not. He will come back out when he is
ready to.
4. Do not leave your dog unattended in
the yard with small children no matter how trustworthy you may
think your dog is. Although Cane Corsos enjoy children like
many other breeds, they are not a miracle dog and must be
treated the same as any other large dog when around children.
A dog may not mean to hurt a child, yet it usually seems to
turn out the other way.
5. Do not buy a dog until you have a
fence for him outside where he can be safe from :
Dogs
which are tied become defensive, bored and irritably
aggressive .
A fence is convenient, durable and safe.
6. Enlist the help of your child in
the training of the dog. It will increase his sense of self
importance, his concern and knowledge of animal behavior.
"If Max wakes up, take him outside right away so he won't
make a mistake in the house. You watch, Billy, in case I don't
notice, okay?"
7. Do insist that neighborhood
children who come to play abide by the same rules that you
expect of your own. "Stuart, we don't hit Max with
sticks. Here, throw it for him instead. Look how happy he is
now! I think he likes you." If Stuart delivers a sly kick
instead, stop him. (A little knowledge of gentle collar
control is useful with children, as well as dogs). Put the dog
in his run or crate and see to it that Stuart leaves him
alone. If Stuart is uncooperative, send him home, nicely but
firmly. If you get angry, he will be angry and defiant too.
When he learns that he simply cannot play at your house if he
continues, he will probably stop if he feels that you
basically like him and that it is only his specific action
that you dislike. Here again, take two minutes to give the
child and the dog something constructive to do. Let the child
have the opportunity to receive a warm response from the dog
and he may become your staunchest ally. "Hey Mrs Jones!,
I just saw Max down the street. Someone must have left the
gate open."
8. Do teach the dog to sit before he
is given food or a treat, and to wait for an okay to take it.
The Cane Corso pup will grow quicker than your toddler. If the
sit stay becomes automatic, you will find him sitting before a
baby with food, hoping but never touching. Parents of visiting
children are less than understanding when your 75 lbs pup
grabs for a cookie and their child goes tumbling. Many fears
of dogs are traced back to just such an incident. They will
not only remember that it was a large dog but also that it was
a Cane Corso. Never allow a small child to take the pup's food
or bone as this could create a problem later when the pup has
grown into adulthood.
9. Do give your Cane Corso simple
obedience training so that he will be spared random scoldings
and confusion. "DOWN" and "SIT" are
pleasant commands to a pup if they are rewarded with a
brushing or a tummy rub by their young master.
10. Don't expect the dog to be patient
with your child unless you have taught him to be. He will
learn not to defend himself, if he realizes that you
consistently rescue him before he gets hurt. Conversely you
must teach the small child to be patient with the dog. Don't
reinforce his fears if he inadvertently takes a tumble by
telling him what a big, mean, naughty dog that is. Be matter
of fact, pick him up, staunch the blood, and say, "Here,
help me teach Max to be more gentle." Help the child
learn to cope with the situation, reinforce his confidence
with small things that he can handle, and be there to handle a
situation that proves to be more that he can control.
11. Do not expose an innocent passerby
to your dogs protective tendencies. Do not leave your Cane
Corso and your small child outside a store and expect them to
take care of each other. Some well intentioned stranger may be
bitten. Even though your dog may do exactly what you wish him
to do under different circumstances, he will be the one put
down while you face an expensive lawsuit. Never assume that
the public understands dog behavior. The fool who puts his
hands inside your car or the boy who pokes at the dog through
a fence, obviously do not, but you may end up paying the
doctors bills.
12. Do increase your childs sense of
responsibility and pride of achievement by letting him help as
much as he can. Do not expect him to know what to do. Guide
him. "Here is Max's dish, Billy, tell him to come. That's
it, now tell him to sit." (You help max sit. He is just
learning that he must also obey Billy too.) "Good, now
put the dish down. Tell him okay. There, see how nicely he
obeyed you!" Billy will leave with the distinct
impression that he is the worlds smartest dog trainer and that
his dog is the smartest dog on the block.
