Founded 1973

CHILDREN AND DOGS

Education is the best way forward for us all.  In today’s world we need to educate our youngsters to prepare for tomorrow’s world.  Children are like sponges and soak up information, good and bad.  For those of us that choose to live our lives with dogs it is imperative that we teach our children well and that we encourage the children to always be sensible around dogs, the family pet as well as strange dogs. 

If you have a very new baby it may well be wisest for your sanity to wait to get a pup until the baby is at least toddling around!  Having a puppy in the house at any time is hard work – pups need regular feeding and lots of supervision to make sure they don’t become destructive and to get housetraining in place.  Having a puppy when you also have a new baby to take care of is giving yourself twice as much work and not to be recommended!  With regard to older children Staffords love children and most children love Staffords.  Be sensible and always remember that your puppy is a dog, not a human and has animal instincts.  Children must be taught respect for the dog - to let him eat and sleep in peace and not to be spiteful. 

Don't leave children and dogs unsupervised and it is wise not to allow children under the age of sixteen to exercise the dog unsupervised. The Kennel Club has produced an initiative called ‘SAFE AND SOUND’ that gives great advice on keeping children safe around dogs. 

EASBTC has organised displays at some of our Club events to illustrate the scheme

If you have children yourself why not get them to have a go at the interactive website you will find here http://www2.the-kennel-club.org.uk/safe_and_sound.html  ?  Have a go at it with them!!

If you are a teacher or are involved with your child’s education and can suggest to the teaching staff the Kennel Club has also produced notes for use in the classroom.  It would be great if you could suggest your child’s school/nursery implements this initiative!  http://www2.the-kennel-club.org.uk/teachersNotes/sas_teachers_notes.pdf

The organisation Canine Concern Scotland Trust also produces a very useful leaflet about Children and Dogs which you could read and discuss with your child.

SOME USEFUL TIPS FOR CHILDREN AROUND DOGS

1.     NEVER put your hand through an open car window or fence to stroke a dog.  He may ‘guard’ his property

2.     ALWAYS ask permission from the owner before stroking a dog that you meet.  Not all dogs may be used to meeting children

3.     If you meet a dog that is not with its owner when you are out keep away from it and DO NOT run away or scream – this will excite and frighten the dog into chasing you.  You should stand still with your arms by your side, look away from the dog and don’t speak

4.     If you are out on your bike and a dog starts to chase you DON’T try to just pedal away – you may not be aware of where you are going and cause an accident.  Get off your bike and put the bike between you and the dog, stand still and look away from the dog

5.     DON’T disturb a dog while it is eating or chewing a bone

6.     NEVER tease a dog, especially one that is asleep, tied up or on a hot day

7.     DON’T torment a dog with food or sweets that you are eating

Staffords are wonderful family dogs – see our Gallery pages for proof of this!  Just remember, it is a dog, with animal instincts

The following was sent in from Jenny, who has also sent photos of her Stafford Bentley, along with her two sons, Jay and Ryan.  Jay has special needs and in Jenny's words, Bently is always 'so sensitive to him'.  Just another demonstration of the special bond Staffords and children often have.

"We've had Bentley from when he was 8 weeks old and our son Jay was 3. Considering Bentley was a very 'spirited' puppy, very jumpy, growly and snappy, he has never once nipped, jumped up at or knocked Jay or Ryan over. They have never had anything but pleasure off him. He was always very careful around Jay, even before we knew he had problems so maybe he already knew what we didn’t, we don't know. Anyway a year after we got Bentley, my second son Ryan was born and it seems uncanny that they actually share the same birthday! Bentley is now 5 and Ryan is 4. Ryan and Bentley, I think, share a special bond that runs very deep. Neither of them can do any wrong in each other’s eyes. They are quite literally best friends, they play all sorts, sometimes dressing up and playing pirates! Bentley loves it when friends come to play - it just means there are more children to play with. Photos of Ryan always seem to include Bentley and vice versa. We love watching all three boys play and never tire from it. Bentley has helped me through some tough times too, so all in all, I really think we wouldn’t know what we'd do without him. He farts, belches and drives us insane sometimes but we all love him so much!! "


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