Although a lot of dogs are known to be good family dogs and good with children, it is always better not to take chances. Remember an accident can happen.

• Do not allow your child, however small, to tease a 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

• Do not let a small child 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. If panicked they may even bite. Encourage the child to get down on the puppies level, i.e., 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 behaviour mechanisms.

• 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.

• Do not leave your dog unattended in the yard with small children no matter how trustworthy you may think your dog is. A dog may not mean to hurt a child, yet it usually seems to turn out the other way.

• 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 behaviour.

• Do insist that neighbourhood children who come to play abide by the same rules that you expect of your own.

Parents of visiting children are less than understanding when your 30kg puppy grabs for a cookie and their child goes tumbling. Many fears of dogs are traced back to just such an incident. 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.

• Give your pup simple obedience training so that he will be spared random scolding and confusion.

“Down” and “Sit” are pleasant commands to a pup if their young master rewards them with a brushing or a tummy rub.

• 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. 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.

• Do not expose an innocent passer-by to your dog’s protective tendencies. Do not leave your dog 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 behaviour. The fool who puts 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.