DOGS & OLDER CHILDREN
	Teenagers are always very lively and always rough, and rough play is one form of play that can lead to bad habits. Teenage boys in particular like to play rough.

The problem is they tend to encourage the dog to bite their arm. This is great fun until the young dog gets carried away and bites too hard.

The dog often gets smacked, which encourages the dog to bite again or the dog gets very excited and won't let go.

This can teach the dog to show aggression which ends with the dog being punished. The dog has been encouraged to bite and to play rough and young dogs don't always know when to stop!

I have seen young dogs getting quite aggressive when their owners have tried to discourage rough play that has turned into the dog tormenting the owner.

Stop this before it starts, encourage the older children to use tug toys, they can have just as much fun and play is then controlled.

TORMENTING

Children and teenagers do torment dogs. Dogs generally are good natured and will tolerate the silly games that children play on them.

But it can go too far. Blowing in the dogs face is one favourite.

This irritates the dog and encourages the dog to snap at the face, which causes great hoots of laughter - until the dog makes contact, not so funny then.

This can make the dog wary when someone puts their face towards the dog. The dog may even growl and snarl to ward off the torment and once the dog learns that snarling and snapping stops the torment, this then becomes a problem that is hard to stop.

The dog can regard any close contact with the face as uncomfortable and will show what appears to be aggression when he is really anticipating and is trying to defend against it.

This behaviour puts everyone at risk including visitors to your home, so again stop it happening - watch your children!

Sudden bites on children are not common, generally. When a bite / nip has occured, the parent has often not seen what caused the dog to bite / nip. Many dogs have lost their lives as parents don't stop to think........

The dog had probably been tormented on a regular basis over a period of time and this happens time and time again......

Luckily as children grow we teach them how to treat their pets and most children do not torment their pets.

I CAN NOT STRESS ENOUGH WATCH YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS AT ALL TIMES.

But for the few that do persistently torment their pets, it can become cruelty as the pet is constantly a source of amusement, until the pet defends itself and then the torment can really begin.

As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to make sure your dog is treated with respect at all times by all members of the family.

Children can have the most amazing fun with their dog, but they must abide by guide lines as to what is fun and what would be considered torment.

YOU AS THE PARENT ARE RESPONSIBLE

© Janet Wesley