A Sheltie is a great choice for a family dog because of its ideal qualities with children, adults and other pets. Having a dog is a great learning experience for children, too. Participating in the care of your dog can be a great lesson in responsibility for them. Children can also learn to be kind and gentle toward a puppy and other animals. The following tips will help your child(ren) to be successful with your new pet. Supervise your puppy and child(ren) together to establish good expectations for treating your puppy. Stop your child(ren) from pushing or pulling on your puppy. Teaching your child(ren) to be kind to your puppy will help create a lasting bond between them.
Create a safe retreat for your puppy that is off limits to your child(ren), such as a bedroom or a kennel. Even pets that adore children need private time and a place to go where they know they won’t be pestered. Enforce this with your young child(ren) who don’t understand. Watch for signs that your puppy needs a break, and teach these signs to your child(ren). These signs may be putting the ears back, backing away from your child(ren) and growling. Dogs can only take so much. Your child(ren) should leave your puppy alone when it is sleeping, eating or chewing. Allow your puppy to get as much sleep as it needs. Explain to your child(ren) that your puppy is a baby and needs a lot of naps. When your puppy is awake it can play, but when it is sleeping it needs to be left alone. If your puppy does not get enough sleep, it can get “crabby” and may growl or act out toward your child(ren). Teach your child(ren) that if your puppy is trying to get away, let it go. It may want to go and take a nap.
Teach your child(ren) how to pick up your puppy and when it is okay to do so. Puppies can be seriously injured or killed if they are dropped. They should always be lifted with two hands under their torso, never around their neck. Or, more appropriately, teach your child(ren) to just sit on the floor with your puppy. Sometimes accidents happen, such as stepping on your puppy’s tail. Having your child(ren) play with your puppy’s paws and tail, looking in its ears, and brushing it (with supervision) can help desensitize your puppy. When you are around new people and children, remember to have unfamiliar children approach your puppy calmly and only a few at a time. Always watch for signs that your puppy may need a break. Puppy toys and child toys should be separate. Encourage your child(ren) to pick up their toys and have different “homes” for your children’s toys and your puppy’s toys. When your child(ren) gives your puppy a treat, have them toss the treat on the ground near your puppy. This will avoid having your puppy “mug” the treat from their fingers.
Puppies and children love to run and play. If your puppy is chasing your child(ren) and nips at their ankles, teach your child(ren) to freeze like a statue and firmly say, “No” to your puppy. Then they can continue playing. Your child(ren) should never chase your puppy even though they are playing. Your child(ren) should teach your puppy to come when they call its name. They can do this by rewarding your puppy with a treat when it comes when called. Teach your puppy not to jump up on you or your child(ren). If it does jump up, turn sideways and ignore it. Do not pet it or encourage it to do it again.