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Children and Dogs - Growing Up Carrie
by Rena Murray
Children and dogs can be wonderful companions who grow together, play together, console each other, teach each other, unconditionally love each other - IF each is trained and oriented correctly from the start. No nightmares -- no dog possessive behavior, no dog destructive behavior, dog dominance, dog aggression, dog bite or dog attack if you do this right -- but instead, the wonderful dream in the hearts of most children and many parents. If you are a parent or parent-to-be and a dog owner or dog-owner-to-be, you can learn a lot from this life-like example.
Now, your baby Carrie is getting a little bigger every day. She is making new discoveries all the time, and the simplest things fascinate her and bring her joy. But how is her relationship with Duke? Will his reactions toward her be good now that she is about to begin moving on her own outside the protective barrier of her crib?
Remember, Duke is very familiar with Carrie now, and she with him. To Duke, Carrie's scent and presence mean: "Be calm and respectful." Her loud, sudden laughter or squeal of delight hardly fazes him, and when it does, he recovers quickly and looks up as though to say: "Oh, that's just Carrie." When she starts to cry, as an attentive baby monitor and healthy protector, he runs for you and brings you right to her. Why, Duke loves lying quietly beside Carrie's crib all the time.
You place Carrie in the walker for the first time. Almost immediately, she is a regular scooter-rooter. Duke's first reaction is one of alert, to make sure Carrie will be all right. He stays beside her for a minute, but then realizes she is safe and lies down in a corner or by your feet, content with his bone although still watchful.
Carrie loves her high chair, and meal time is fun ... for her, at least, as food goes everywhere, especially on the floor. What a mess! Duke to the rescue. He washes the floor around her high chair clean as a whistle. Boy do you miss Duke when you take Carrie on a trip and are cleaning up arduously on hands and knees!
Soon Carrie begins to use Duke for balance. You are amazed at his tolerance as Carrie pulls herself up by grabbing his fur. When Duke has had enough, he quietly and gently stands up and moves away from Carrie. He is extremely careful not to harm her when he stands up.
Duke keeps a sharp eye on Carrie when she is outside. He even pulls her away from the road -- ever so gently. He herds her if she starts to toddle outside perceived boundaries. He would protect her with his life if she were attacked by human or animal.
Duke runs to get you in the night when Carrie is afraid, if his comfort is not enough to soothe her. He even alerts you during the day when Carrie skins her knee or is getting into some mischief. Sometimes Carrie calls Duke a tattle-tale.
Duke plays with Carrie more and more as she grows -- but he never becomes rough. He loves to run with her and chase balls she throws, and doesn't complain that she cannot do it right. He also becomes her confidant when she has hade a bad day at school, or has a problem she does not want anyone else to know about.
Yes, Duke will always respect, love, and care for Carrie until the end of his days. The relationship will build on its own with the proper foundation. Then when Duke passes on, Carrie will always have with her the intensely warm memory of the childhood dog every little one longs for. Your child should too ....
Children and dogs. They can be wonderful together. Just do it right.
Need help with Children and Dogs or Bringing New Puppy Home? Ask Dog Behaviorist – Dog Obedience Trainer, Rena Murray, at the Children and Dogs site - your source for all Dog Training, Dog Products, Children's Dog Toys, and Dog Lover Gifts. See Rena's no-nonsense "Platinum Expert Author" Articles for specifics on Children and Dogs, Dog Instinctive Behaviors, the Dog Whisper technique and more, her "BestEzines"-featured free Newsletter – PAW PERSUASION POINTERS, and Paw Persuasion Blog - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/ . Contact Rena NOW for hands-on help with a Private Coaching Session .
Contact the author, Rena Murray
, at rena@pawpersuasion.com
.
