DOG Training TOYS

Melanie Schlaginhaufen

Do you remember a dog from your childhood who was so tolerant that you slept on him, hugged him and perhaps even rode him like a pony? Many of us do have memories of dogs that would put Lassie to shame, but the truth is…few dogs are this tolerant. And who knows, our memories may be flawed, those childhood dogs were probably not very happy while they endured those things from us and our playmates!

Children just naturally do various things that canines don’t particularly enjoy. Many dogs do not like to be restrained around the neck, and as dogs get older, many have pain issues with their backs and necks. For these reasons, we should always teach children not to hug our dogs and of course we should teach children not to do anything that may harm or aggravate a dog. That said, as responsible dog owners, we need to realize that any dog that is around children may, from time to time, be subjected to certain unpleasantries and we can up the dog’stolerance level through a carefully thou

Here are a few tips that will help “childproof” your dog.

1. Hugging. When working with an adult dog, start slowly, first by gently laying your arm on top of his shoulders for a moment, while quietly praising him. As soon as he seems to look forward to this type of attention, then progress to draping an arm around his neck, then both arms and eventually (take your time, even if these steps take a few weeks) give him the type hug a child might give. At the beginning, you will be talking in a very soothing tone (gooooooood dog, that’s goooood) but as the dog feels comfortable with this behavior, begin to add in a high pitched excited word or two…