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photo credit: The Written Geek™

Here is another guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright.  Dog Fence DIY is a site that will help you choose the right system for your pet, help you install the new system, and help train your pet to use the new system.  Dog Fence DIY has a variety of Petsafe Underground Fence systems at the best available prices. For more dog fence information see here.

Most children have things that they’re afraid of at some time in their lives. In some cases, the things they’re afraid of are not real, such as the bogeyman under the bed! In other cases, they’re afraid of something they encounter on a regular basis, such as dogs. This can make life difficult.

Children can become afraid of dogs in two ways. Firstly, they have an encounter with a dog that scares them so much, they become frightened of any dog. Secondly, they may not have met a dog before, and they may become anxious if the dog is exuberant and wants to jump on them.

Either way, you as the parent can take steps to help your child get over their fear of dogs.

1. Your child will model their reaction to dogs on yours. You must stay calm and relaxed when a dog approaches. This will demonstrate to your child that there really isn’t anything to be afraid of. This might be difficult if you too are nervous around dogs, but it’s important that you don’t show your child that you are afraid.

2. Teach your child that if a dog approaches them, they mustn’t run away screaming. This will encourage the dog to chase them, which will be even more frightening! Instead, show them how to stand still with their fists clenched to keep their fingers safe, and to stare at the ground. If they stare into a dog’s eyes, he will interpret it as a challenge, and is again more likely to jump up on them.

3. Expose your child slowly to a dog that you know is quiet and calm. Firstly, have the dog crated and just let your child be in the same room as the dog. Slowly increase your child’s exposure to the dog. Encourage them to go up to the crate and offer him a treat. They may become confident enough to pat him through the crate. Gradually, progress to having the dog outside the crate but on a leash, and encourage your child to approach him, treat him and pat him. It’s a long slow process and it mustn’t be rushed.

4. When your child is comfortable with this one dog, take them to a dog show where they can meet many dogs of different sizes and shapes. The dogs who attend dog shows are usually very well behaved, and their owners are often quite happy to introduce their dogs to you. Your child will learn that most dogs are friendly and won’t do them any harm.

5. Teach your child never to approach a dog without the owner present, and to always ask permission before they pat a dog. Some dogs just don’t like children, and it would be a shame for your child to get a fright if they were snapped at. It would undo all of your hard work.

Dogs are wonderful companions for children. Take your time and help your child get over their fear and they too can discover the joy that comes with sharing your life with a dog.

If you have been reading Toddler Crafts for a while then you have seen a recurrent theme, I am always having to tackle the closets!  It seems that every month or so, each closet needs a tackle again!  My daughter loves to pull all of the things out onto the floor when she is looking for something, making it an immediate mess!!  I feel so much better once it is organized and put back together!

What have you tackled this week?  Share your tackle with us here, it doesn’t have to be house work, it can be a project, report, job etc.

Before the tackle!

After the tackle!

You can get inside and find things, Yeah!

photo credit: rengel134

This guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY is a site that will help you choose the right system for you, help you install it, and help train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of  dog fence systems to choose from at the best available prices. For more dog fence information see here.

Owning a dog is a big responsibility. Your new family member needs to be fed, bathed, groomed and exercise. As a busy parent, it’s important to include the whole family in caring for your dog, and this includes your children. Caring for the dog can be part of their home duties, but your expectations should vary, depending on the age of your child.

Children from the age of 7 years can easily manage the job of feeding your pet. Spend some time training your dog to wait for his dinner, and to not eat until he’s told. Show your child how much kibble to put in your dog’s bowl. When she puts the food down, tell your dog to wait, so she can put the bowl down safely. An untrained dog will often jump up to get to the food in the bowl, which can injure your child.

Make sure you spend some time with your child discussing foods that aren’t safe for dogs. Most children know that their dog loves bones; they may not know that cooked bones are dangerous. They may also not know that chocolate isn’t safe for dogs, and excessively fatty table scraps can make their pet very ill.

Older children can bathe your dog, and brush the loose hair from his coat. The size of your dog will determine at what age your child can manage this. Small placid breeds will be easy to bathe, but large dogs that don’t like water can be a handful for even an adult. You may find that your child isn’t able to bath your dog until she’s in her early teens. Your younger child may be able to help by lathering the shampoo into your dog’s coat, while your teen wields the hose.

Similarly, it’s not safe for your child to take your dog for walks on their own until they are a teenager. Your dog may pull free from her grasp, or he may be involved in a dog fight.

Your children can also take responsibility for some of your dog’s regular maintenance.

Younger children can learn that it’s their job every morning to make sure the dog’s water bowl is full. Older children can be responsible for checking the calendar to see when their dog’s monthly flea control or three monthly worming tablets are due.

It’s a great idea to include your child in caring for your dog. Not only does it relieve you of some of your domestic duties, but it allows them to learn to be responsible for caring for another living thing. Many children become quite proud of the fact that they are the ones who care for the family dog

photo credit: inucara

It’s almost impossible to recommend a specific breed or breeds as being the best dog for a family. There are so many variables that need to be taken into account. However, here are some generalizations you may want to take into account when choosing a breed of dog for your family.

Firstly, how much space do you have? If you live in an apartment, a smaller breed of dog may be most suitable for you. Large dogs can thrive in a small space, but you need to be committed to exercising them, and that’s not always possible with a young family. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small dogs, with charming personalities and lovely natures. They’re known to be gentle and not at all aggressive. If your home has a large backyard, then certainly consider a bigger dog.

Consider a dog’s training and exercise needs before choosing your new family pet. Herding breeds such as Border Collies need not only physical exercise, but mental stimulation, or they become bored and may develop behavioral problems. They’re a great choice for an active outdoors family with older children, but when you have young ones who need lots of attention, it may be hard to find the time to burn up their excess energy. Perhaps a Greyhound or Whippet would be a better choice. These breeds enjoy a walk every day, and then are quite happy to curl up on the couch for a snooze.

How often do you want to groom your dog? If you have to wrestle your children into the bath each evening, the last thing you want to deal with is a dog that also needs a lot of hair care. In that case, choose a breed with a short coat that’s easy to care for.

Should you choose a pup or an adult dog? There are pros and cons to both. Puppies are hard work in the early months, as they need to be trained, and they need to learn to toilet in the appropriate spot. Adult dogs are usually past this, but you may not know the dog’s history, and whether he is comfortable around children.

Lastly, consider your family budget. It’s not cheap raising a family these days, and you do need to take this into account when you select your dog. Firstly, make sure there is room in the budget to provide for a dog. If so, then keep in mind that with increasing size, you usually have increasing expenses. Large breeds eat more, and cost more in worming tablets and flea control. Should he become ill, veterinary medicines are also dosed according to body weight. Any surgical procedures, including neutering, are more expensive for heavy dogs.  If your dog needs regular haircuts, those visits to the grooming parlor can add up, unless you learn how to do it yourself. If finances are a bit tight, you may be better off choosing a small breed of dog that doesn’t need much in the way of hair care.

Don’t rule out choosing your dog from a shelter or humane society. These dogs have usually been checked by a vet, and if you decide to buy an adult dog, the shelter staff may be able to give you a good indication of his temperament. Not only that, but you’ll be saving a life.

Choosing the wrong dog can be so stressful, not only for you, but for the dog. Do your homework before you choose your dog, and your child will have the perfect best friend to share adventures with.

Getting young children to go to bed can be a challenge.  One important step to get them to go to sleep more easily is to create

a routine for them.  When my oldest was about 2 I created a special bedtime book (with the help of my mother in law) about his

bedtime routine.  Creating a book about the bedtime routine can be beneficial because it reminds them about what they are

going to do, it prepares them and also relaxes them as they get ready to start the night time rituals.   This book was really helpful

because we had velcro pictures that he would help me put in the correct part of the story and he loved being engaged in the

process.

To make your own bedtime book with your child:

1. Write down the main parts of your night time rituals, for example, brushing teeth, reading story, having a drink, kisses.
2. Then take pictures of anything that signifies those parts of the routine, for example, for tooth brusing-the tooth brush, for reading a story, a book.
3. Get the pictures printed out.
4. Get some Velcro, that will stick.
5. Get some lamination and construction paper
6. Write out the routine, each step per page, leave a spot for the picture
7. Laminate pages
8. Cut out pictures and laminate pictures
9. Put velcro on the back of each picture and on the spot you want it to go in the book
10. Bring the book to staples and they can bind it for you, or hole punch it and tie ribbon to keep it together.

Enjoy!!