Road trip! Packing up all the kids and pets can be very stressful in itself. Add on the responsibility of caring for all of them and it can get pretty overwhelming. Can your kids help care for the pets during a road trip? More to the point, can they do it all? As a veteran mom and pet owner, I know firsthand it can be done. However, there are many factors to consider first. Some of the main ones include travel method, pet size, ownership control, and responsibility levels.

How are the pets traveling? If the pet is traveling inside a cage or carrier, it may be easier for the kids to care for the than if they are traveling another way. Pets can get agitated during traveling. Usually, this behavior will occur in cats or dogs. Those contained inside a carrier may be easier to control. Small animals, like hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits should be traveling in a cage. They cannot run loose around the vehicle. Not only will they be harder for kids to handle that way. But they will also not be safe at all.

What size are the pets? Larger pets are better cared for by the adults during a road trip. This is because you never know what an animal will do when frightened or agitated. Your pet may be perfectly fine and not have any reaction at all. Then again, exactly the opposite can happen and you don't want your child to be on the end of that. Large animals should be secured safely in the proper travel restraint. Small animals are likely to be in their cages. Therefore, they are not likely to be a direct threat to your child.

Can your child calm the pets? If the pets are easily soothed by your child, it may be a good idea to have them somewhat near your child on the trip. Again, consider safety. But as long as your child and the pet are safe, there is no harm in your child using soothing words to ease the pet's fears. A cat or dog may be easily calmed by hearing your child's voice or by your child petting his fur.

Who's in charge? The kids or the pets? This is very important. Does your dog or your child normally run the show? If it's the latter, it will be very difficult to calm and care for a pet during travel. In this case, this is not a responsibility for your kids to take on. On the other hand, if your child is very good at controlling the animal's behavior, safety may not be an issue in that area. In that case, it may actually be a good thing for your child to care for the animals during the trip.

Is your child really responsible enough for this duty? Road trips are stressful for kids as it is. Some kids can handle the extra added responsibility of one or more animals. But others would be better off leaving that up to the parents. Pet care during a road trip can be a great lesson in responsibility. But it's only a good idea if you know that your child will be a positive influence on the animal's behavior, as well as tend to their basic needs. While parents are focused on the road, kids with this task will be checking on the pet's water, food, waste elimination, and other needs. If your child already handles these kind of duties at home, it will be easier to catch on to proper procedures during road trips.

*This advice is based on the author's personal experiences and is not meant to replace that of your veterinarian or pediatrician. Always ask licensed animal care specialist about your pet's specific needs. Always contact a licensed pediatrician about your child's health and care.

"Awww, mommy can I hold her? Please?" Hamsters are small and fragile. But they are also extremely cute and cuddly -- if you know how to hold them correctly. Helping kids learn how to hold a hamster for the first time is both fun and a chore. As a mom to kids who have adopted several hamsters in need, I've had plenty of experience in this area.

Hold the hamster yourself. Before you let the kids hold a hamster, you need to display the proper way to hold her by doing so yourself. The visual cue will make it easier for your child to see what the proper holding method is. Point out what you are doing with each step. For instance, you might say "I'm letting her crawl in my hand, not grabbing her" or "When I hold her, I don't squeeze too hard because she might get hurt."

Have your child wear gardening gloves at first. This will protect his hands in case the hamster decides to nip a little. While hamster bites are not always painful, the action of the bite can startle a child into letting go of the hamster. Therefore the gloves are safer for both the hamster and the child. The reason gardening gloves are a good choice is because of the canvas fabric. Hamsters may get their little claws stuck in wool and other more porous materials. Their nails can be clipped but it's not ideal since they are so small. If you must have them clipped, leave the job to a licensed veterinary expert. Even with clipped nails, they can still get stuck because they shouldn't be trimmed down too far. For this reason, we choose to just let our hamsters keep their nails as they are. We won't clip them unless they become a danger to the animals.

Hamsters like to crawl down, not up. When the kids are handling the hamsters, remember this rule as far as getting them out of the cage. For the purposes of picking them up, hamsters actually feel safer crawling down onto someone's hand, rather than hopping up into it. What I do is have the kids open the cage door and place their hand slightly underneath the opening. All of our hamsters are satisfied with this method. They'll come right out the door and down onto the hand. When placing the hand inside the cage, they are less sure if they want to get out. This is likely because hamsters are very territorial and anything invading their space may be seen as a threat. It's also because when you place your hand in the cage this way, they have to climb up into your hand. We've had several hamsters and they've all preferred climbing down instead.

Allow the hamster to go to your child. In addition to the way in which the child allows the hamster to crawl, she needs to know that hamsters do not like being grabbed. It can be tempting for a child to grab a hamster who doesn't willingly come into his hand. However, this is not the proper way to do things. Instead, the child needs to place a gloved hand a short distance from the hamster and be quiet, still, and patient. Wait, can a child actually do those three things? Of course they can. Part of being a pet parent is learning responsibility and this will help a great deal. The child should leave the gloved hand right outside the door for about 30 second at a time. If the hamster does not come, the child can try again in a little while. Eventually, the hamster will become curious and go for it. After practice, the hamster will soon learn that this is an invitation to come out of the cage and have some fun.

Show your child what to do when the hamster moves. Hamsters don't always sit still. It's important that kids know about this from the beginning. Our hamsters like to run up and down our arms. They also like to perch on our shoulders. Kids need oi be prepared for this and need to know how to keep the hamster safe during this activity. We always keep at least one hand near the hamster. That way, if they slip a little (which can and does happen), they are not going to fall. Teach your child to have his hand follow the hamster's movements to ensure safety for the small animal.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

Ever since I was a child, I have always been drawn to animals. I now witness the same connection to animals in my own kids. Whether your kids have a natural desire toward animals or it needs to be developed, kids and pets can make a great mix. Learn how and why kids and pets can make a great mix.

Pets and kids can create a lasting bond. Chances are, you have witnessed a friend or family member bonding with a pet. Perhaps it was you. The bond that occurs between animals and their caregivers is undeniable. This is true, whether the owner is a kid or adult. When your child and a pet grow up together, they can become inseparable, almost like siblings.

Pets and kids understand each other. Just like kids can develop friendships with other kids, the same can happen with animals. With friendship becomes an understanding that can only come from a close relationship. This is good both for the animals, as well as your kids. Whether your child has a guinea pig, dog, cat, rat, or other animal, you'll begin to notice the special way they communicate with each other. Whenever my daughter's guinea pig sees her, he gets very excited and starts jumping up and down with squeals of delight. He only has that reaction with her. She knows what each of his sounds and actions mean and can tend to his needs by paying attention to these cues.

Kids learn responsibility by having pets. When kids are taught to care for pets properly, they learn responsibility. Pets are almost like having children. They have needs to tend to every single day. Basic needs like food, water, love, and a clean habitat are essential. Then, there are more things to do, such as training, grooming, and exercise. Each pet has its own needs. But they all create extra tasks for kids. This is a very good lesson in what it's like to be responsible for another's well-being. Be sure that if your child adopts a pet, the duties are left up to him. Parents may need to do certain things, especially at first. But let your child do as much as possible.

Pets are good preparation for family and careers. Speaking of being responsible for another, pet care helps prepare kids for their future. While pets and human babies are different, raising a pet helps prepare kids for potentially raising kids later in life. It also helps them practice essential skills, such as follow-through, that will be ideal for employment. A child who is used to completing required tasks every day is probably more likely to succeed in the business world than one who has less responsibility.

Kids and pets both need plenty of love and both provide it. Your child can be an important source of love and enrichment for a pet. The pet will in turn do the same for your child. While kids can and should get love from family and friends, the love a pet has its place as well. One can never have too much love. That goes for both kids and pets. If your child has a pet, encourage daily cuddling or other means of affection. It will depend on the pet as to the types of affection given. For instance, a child may talk soothingly to a turtle. But he can hug and pet a cat or dog.

Extra tips:

• Not all kids should own pets. Some will not get along with them or be responsible.
• Pet responsibility should be taught to the kids before adopting them and continuously.
• Not all pets will be good with kids. Test the relationship and choose pets for your kids based on that.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

You notice your child's hamster is a little dirty. Should you give your child's hamster a bath? Is it safe? Does the hamster really need a bath or is there something else you should do instead? As a pet grandparent to a few rescued hamsters, I would never recommend bathing a hamster in water for several reasons.

Hamsters naturally bathe themselves in sand. When in their natural wild habitat, hamsters roll around in sand for cleansing purposes. They finish it off by grooming themselves. Many pet supply stores have Chinchilla sand and ceramic sand dishes you can provide to your hamster for this purpose. Never use the scented varieties or those made with powder. Only the unscented sand is safe for your hamster. The other products may irritate your hamster's respiratory system.

Bathing a hamster can remove essential oils. Hamsters naturally produce an oil that is essential to protect their skin and fur. Bathing your child's hamster will remove these oils, causing the hamster's skin to become very dry and irritated. This will be extremely uncomfortable for the hamster and will leave his skin very vulnerable. If the purpose of washing the hamster is to produce a shiny coat, it is unnecessary. The natural essential oils a hamster produces will provide shine without the act of bathing.

Wet baths are not recommend unless absolutely necessary. Because wet baths can cause chills, they are only to be used in extreme circumstances, such as your hamster getting covered in oil. Bathing your hamster can cause illness and even death. Hamsters get cold very quickly because of their small frame. Their skin is also irritated easily. Also, bathing products get absorbed into the hamster's fur and skin. When the hamster grooms later, these products will be ingested, which can cause poisoning. Even many of the products marketed for this purpose are not safe.

What if my child's hamster is dirty? Hamsters being properly cared for are not likely to get dirty enough to require bathing. Provided your hamster does escape and get into something messy, a bath may be warranted. Generally, you would use special pet wipes that are safe for use on hamsters or a damp cloth to spot clean the area. If your child's hamster is getting dirty often, check to see that the bedding is being changed properly and as often as needed. If your child's hamster smells, take the hamster to a vet to make sure there is not cause for concern. Foul odors can be a sign of illness.

When in doubt, call the vet. If something happens to the hamster that may require an emergency bath, call a 24-hour emergency vet for proper instructions. Only a licensed professional should ever bathe a hamster in water without proper advice and only a licensed professional should advise someone on how to bathe a hamster this way. In all other instances, wiping down the hamster with the proper wipes or a warm moist cloth should be enough.

*Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences.

More Hamster Care Resources:
Hamsters; Dumb Friends League
Small Mammals; American Humane
Small Angels Rescue Hamster Care Packet; Small Angels Rescue, Inc

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Are you thinking about getting your kids a dog? Don't let that cute doggy face lure you in before your kids even know what to do. My kids have adopted several small animals before, most of them with special needs. However, hamsters and dogs are entirely different. My method for preparing the kids for dog adoption includes plenty of exposure to dogs. Based on our experiences, I firmly believe that prior dog exposure educates kids before dog adoption.

Utilize time with dogs belonging to family and friends. My sister has three cute Dachsunds (aka 'weiner dogs'). When she first started bringing them over, two of my kids were terrified of them. But she kept at it and now all of the kids adore the dogs and get excited each time they come over. The kids have also spent quality time with other dogs belonging to family and friends. I feel this opens them up to a wide range of experiences with dogs, both large and small.

Give kids a chance to take over feeding time. If you have a family member or friend who won't mind the kids taking over one or more scheduled feedings, it can be a big help. My sister lets the kids give her dogs water and special treats when they come over. This is only a good idea with dogs who are not protective over their food. Feeding the dogs helps to prepare the kids for becoming a responsible pet parent. It teaches them what it's like and gives you and your kids an idea of whether they can handle it or not.

Let the kids give basic commands. Part of being a responsible pet parent involves teaching dogs commands. These commands are important for strengthening the bond between your child and the dog. They are also vital in various situations. My sister has already taught her dogs the basic commands. However, she allows my kids to command them and reward her dogs with treats when they comply. This helps to educate them on the kind of commands they should be teaching their future dog. My seven year old has taught her hamster a trick and I believe the idea came in part from giving commands to my sister's dogs.

Spend quality time with shelter dogs. One of our favorite things to do is visit the animals housed by one of the local shelters. The kids and I go interact with the dogs and cats every week, many times more than once each week. Each dog has their own personality. Because of this, I feel it is teaching the kids to adapt to various scenarios they may encounter with their own dog. Some dogs will come up to us right away. Yet others may shy away in the corner until they feel comfortable. We also make toys for the shelter dogs. We sell some of the toys to earn money for the shelter pets and we donate some of the toys as well.

A well-rounded experience with dogs teaches kids what isn't in books. Sure, a book may touch on some of the things kids will experience as a dog parent. In fact, the kids should be studying up as well. But just reading the text is not enough. In order to be fully prepared and well-educated on dog care, one-on-one interaction is an absolute must. What are you doing to prepare your kids for adopting a furry family member?

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Thinking of getting a dog? Just want your kids to know how to interact with them? Either way, it's an important lesson for all kids to learn. Teaching kids to interact with dogs takes time and patience but is well worth the effort. Before ever adopting a dog or having your kids around one for an extended period of time, they need to know what to do.

Dog safety lessons come first. Before your kids start interacting with dogs, they need to learn some important safety rules. While dogs can be great for kids, they are still animals and animals are unpredictable. Be sure your kids know what to do in various scenarios that may come up when interacting with dogs. Animal behavioral and care classes can often be taken at local animal shelters, rescues, and even some major pet store chains. Proper care is important. But so is injury and accident prevention.

Teach based on the reaction kids have to dogs and vice versa. How do your kids react to dogs? Do they run away? Are they gentle or rough? How do dogs act around your kids? Are they scared or in attack mode or are they gentle and loving. Reactions from both ends can tell you a great deal about what lessons your kids need to learn about dog interaction. It's not always a kid's fault when an animal feels threatened and vice versa. But the actions of both your kids and the dogs you expose them to can get you thinking about various positive actions you can teach to both for the best result. Even if all interactions are positive, there are still lessons to teach, such as certain things your kids can do to get dogs do tricks, follow commands, and be loyal.

Teach kids proper interaction firsthand. There is no better way for your kids to learn how to interact with dogs than actually doing it. If you are just talking to your kids and reading things from manuals, there is no one-on-one experience for them to better understand the lesson. If you can get both a professional dog trainer and dog behaviorist to work with your kids and a potential adoptive dog, that's even better. These experts can work together with kids and their dog to help them learn how to bond with each other and develop a positive relationship from the start. The experience can also help kids in knowing how to deal with other dogs as well.

Expose kids to dogs regularly. If a child is never around dogs, it is going to be exceedingly difficult to retain the knowledge. Once you begin teaching kids about proper interaction, they need to be around dogs as often as possible. The more exposure, the better for instilling the lesson and keeping it. If you have no dogs in your family, find friends with dogs or visit the local shelter. If your kids are old enough, they may even be able to volunteer to spend time with the animals, which would give them even more experience.

Talk to the experts. Vets and pediatricians will also have important knowledge and insight about the way kids should interact with dogs. Pediatricians are likely to have safety in mind for your child. Veterinarians are likely to have pet safety and care in mind. Talking with both experts will give your child a well-rounded lesson on dog interaction. By listening to the experts talk to your kids, you may also learn a thing or two.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network            

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

"Please, Mommy. Pleeeeaaaase! He's soooo cuuute!!" If your kids are begging you to get a pet, think first before making that purchase. Many pets are bought on an impulse, which is sometimes not a good thing. Before you bring an animal into your home, be sure you teach your kids how to care for pets. It may seem simple in retrospect. But caring for an animal is a big responsibility that isn't for everyone.

Educate your kids first. Many pet supply stores and animal shelters have classes that kids can take to learn all about proper animal care. There are also plenty of books and trusted veterinary websites to learn more from. There is no excuse for not learning how to take care of a specific animal before making that purchase or adoption. Remember that any potential pet is a living, breathing being that deserves to be part of a loving, caring family. Our family's first hamster taught a valuable lesson about why parents need to educate kids before adopting a pet because we were the second family after the first family's neglect resulted in his blindness. Read, absorb, and discuss all the knowledge you and the kids can before bringing a new pet home.

Make your home pet-friendly. Think about what type of animal your family will be bringing home. Are there hidden dangers in your home that could be hazardous to your pet? Do you have other pets? How will they react to a new family member? Will your cat try to attack a hamster or a dog? If so, do not adopt those animals. Opt for pets that your existing animal family members will get along with or will be isolated from. Cats, dogs, birds, and other animals that may not be in cages need to be kept away from harmful items. Store chemicals in a locked cabinet, be sure there are no loose nails or chords, and check for other potential hazards. Pet-proofing can be much like baby-proofing. Let the kids help you with this so that they know and understand that pet care is serious business.

Soothe your pet's transition into the new home. When you bring your newly adopted animal into the home, he might be a little frightened or apprehensive. Give him time to adjust to his new settings. While your kids may want to play with your new pet right away, this may not be what the animal has in mind. A dog or cat may want to sniff out the place and even find a hiding spot for a little while before opening up. A hamster may want to hide under his bedding or inside a hamster house for a day or so. Give your pet some time to get used to the new surroundings and to you and the kids. Be sure the kids know how important this step is for your pet.

Show kids how to be gentle. This is one of the most important lessons kids need to learn with animals. Start teaching kids about this before you ever bring home a pet for the first time. A good way to do this is to bring the kids to homes of relatives with animals. You can even visit animal shelters regularly. Some will allow you and the kids to interact with the animals directly. This can help develop a relationship with a potential pet while also teaching the kids to be gentle with animals. If your children cannot be gentle with animals and do not have a visible care and compassion for them, pets are not a good idea.

Teach them about both the ups and the downs. Kids should know the joys of having pets, as well as the possible heartache. Having pets can be very rewarding and fun. Kids will enjoy playing with and observing pets. But they should also know that their pet will probably die before them. Small animals, like hamsters, live a very short life. Also, there is no guarantee that even a healthy animal will live its full life expectancy because anything can happen. Teaching kids about the possibility of their pet dying before it happens can help soften the blow when it does. You don't have to be overly graphic. But they should definitely know about both life and death when dealing with animals.

Pets are a fun and rewarding experience for both parents and kids. But it is vital to the health of your kids and pets to teach the children important pet care habits prior to adopting one.

*I originally published this as a Yahoo Shine Parenting Guru

Last updated on 12/9/2020

I recently wrote an article about how parents can inspire children to be kind to animals.  Teaching kids to love animals and be kind and gentle with them is important.  It helps kids grow up to be better and more compassionate people.  Teaching animal kindness can be done in many ways, but they all begin with one important element - exposure.

In order for your kids to become friendly with animals, they must first be exposed to animals.  From visiting a farm to adopting a pet of your own, volunteering with an animal advocacy group to spending time at a nature preserve, you must find ways for your kids to see animals up close and get to know them better.

As a wildlife biologist, I spent much time introducing school-age children to the animals in the world around them.  As a parent, I have done the same with my own kids.  My children love animals, and are very kind and loving to the creatures they meet.  If your kids have not spent much time around animals, it's not too late to make a change.  Even if you can't have pets of your own, you can still expose your kids to animal life in many ways.  Check out my article about teaching children to be kind to animals for even more ideas your family can use to raise animal-friendly kids.

Tavia Fuller Armstrong is an award-winning writer for Yahoo! Contributor Network.  As a wildlife biologist and a pet owner, she has cared for a wide variety of animals.  As a mother of three and an educator, she has taught many children to appreciate the natural world all around them.  

You might think that your children know that hitting animals is not acceptable, but do they really know? For adults, we look at it as common sense, children do not. We always want to reinforce safe behaviors for our pets and our children, here is how you can ensure that your children know not to hit animals.

It hurts, don’t do it! 

Explain to your children that pets, just like humans, experience pain in the same way.  Ask them how they would feel if somebody hit them, let them know that pets feel the same way.  Ensure your children understand, that not only does a pet feel the pain, they can respond by inflicting pain.

Monitor Your Children:

Many parents feel that they monitor their kids very well will of the presence of animals.  However, that may not be the case.  Count how many times you turn your back while your children are in the room with their pet dog.

Every time you turn your back, you’re not monitoring your child with the dog.  Unless you can be in the room and pay attention to every move your child makes, keep your dog in a secure area.  This is for the safety of the child and your dog.  Do this until your child understands that dogs have feelings too.

Teach your child which parts of the dog not to touch.

If your dog these iffy about having his tail or ears touched, teacher child that he does not like that.  Many dogs do not like children near their tail, or out of direct eyesight.  They do this for their safety.  Teach your children the zones that your dog does not like being pulled at or even petted.

Following the simple rules will ensure that your child and your dog have a safe experience with one another.

By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer

If your child has ADHD, and is truly the most hyper child you have ever seen, your dog can help you with that. Dogs are hyper and inattentive too, and can actually help you child exert energy.

Children with ADHD and dogs go hand in hand. They both need to exert energy in order compose themselves and calm themselves in a positive way. Here are some great ways you calm your child and your pup.

Fetch: Games like fetch can help your child and your dog bond, as well as help them exert energy.

Frisbee: Frisbee is a great way for your child to focus on hand eye coordination while running about and playing with their dog. It is great exercise for both of them.

Walks: Taking both your child and your dog for a walk can help them fulfill the urge to move, and help you with a great cardio work out to go with it.

Dog Parks: Dog parks are a great way for your dog and your child to make new friends. There is plenty of room to run and romp while you sit back on a bench and relax. Your dog can meet other pups, your child can meet new children, and you can finally get the rest you deserve.

To learn more about how your dog can help your child with their ADHD, purchase the book above. It is full of useful information that can benefit your child and your pup!

About the Author

Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need.

When my niece was small, she did not really care to talk to people. A later diagnosis would prove that she had autism, but we did not know it at the time. Her speech was suffering, and her focus was too. She spoke was able to speak very few words, and the ones that she could speak were not clear. We were at a loss as to how to get her to talk, until her doctor recommended that we get her a pet. He said that it didn’t matter what type of pet we got, just a pet in general would work. After debating hamsters, rats, cats, or dogs, we settled on getting her a dog.

We were careful about the type of pet we chose. After all, we would be doing most of the training and care of the pet, so it would have to suit everyone. We settled on a shelter dog. He was only a few months old, but you would not believe the difference he made in her life.

After a short period of time, she began to spend a lot of time with her dog. She began to talk to him, in her limited ability. She would take him outside and walk around the yard, teaching him everything she knew about the trees and the grass. She would lay and stare up at the sky and tell him about the clouds and the wind and the rain. Just seeing them together brought tears of joy to my eyes. A little girl, who had never really connected with anyone or anything, finally had someone who would sit and listen without judging her. Over time of talking to her dog, she was able to say more words than she ever had before. We were moved by the amount that her speech had improved.

Over the next few years, her vocabulary had expanded dramatically. We were able to have conversations with her, and she was able to provide us with answers. We were amazed at how great a pet was for her speech, especially since the dog was not able to initiate conversation.

Just simply having someone who was there to listen no matter what she said helped so much.  A pet is never judgmental, and will comfort you when you are upset. Many children with disabilities need this more than anything in the world. A pet is also a protector, someone who will keep them safe and pull them from danger.

As you know, children with disabilities like autism, tend to wonder off. Last year, my niece tried to wonder off. We had only turned our heads for a few seconds. Her dog barked like crazy and grabbed her by the back of the pants. He dragged her back into the yard. We praised him and spoiled him rotten after that. We live only a half of a block from a large creek, and that was the direction she was going.

If you decide to get your child a pet to help them through their disability, please adopt a shelter pet. Shelter pets need your child, just as much as your child needs them.

By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer

It is never too early to teach your children to respect animals. From the time they are able to move their hands toward a desired location, you can begin. Teaching your children to be easy with animals and to not pull their hair, tails, and ears is very important. Pets deserve respect, and do not deserve pain. Setting a positive example for your children, you can teach them how to properly touch your pets and help them build compassion.

When your child is only a few months old you can begin the journey of teaching them a positive relationship with pets. Gently rubbing your pet's head and telling them to "be easy with the puppy" is the first step. Your child will see how you treat the animal, and will see the positive interaction. I have already began this journey with my four-month old son.

Everyday I sit with him on my lap, and one of our pets next to me. I show him the way he should pet the kitty. Even though he is only four months old, he is able to gently touch the kitty instead of hit him like most babies do. Starting the journey of interacting with pets early will prevent having to go back to stop negative behaviors. It will also build trust between your child and your pet early on.

Remember to never leave a pet alone with a child who does not know how to positively interact with a pet

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Author

Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need.

That's right. All you need to do is ask your child to read your dog some stories. This can be a good activity to keep your dog busy, in addition to being helpful for your child.

Pick a quiet space. Obviously, the dog is not going to be attentive if there is too much going on. Neither is your child. Choose a spot for the reading where there won't be interruptions or loud noises going on. It's also a good idea to use pillows, a beanbag chair, or another cozy space to keep them both comfortable.

Make it a routine. Have a specific time every day that your dog needs to hear his stories. Let your child know what that time is and plan it according to what seems to work for both your child and the dog. A good example would be the time the dog normally takes a nap. That way, everyone will be relaxed.



Keep it fun. Don't worry about whether your child is pronouncing everything correctly or not. Just let her read to the dog and have fun. Save the lessons for homeschool or study time. This time is intended to encourage, inspire, and delight your child.

Have you tried this yet or have ideas or questions? Let us know in a comment below!

Last updated on 12/8/2020