Dog Safety Tips for the Family

---

     Dogs have always been a great addition to the family. In fact, many scientific studies have proved that having canines as pets can significantly help improve overall health of owners. But still, as cuddly and as lovable as these furry members of the family may be, you should still be cautious and careful when having these pets in the house. So here are some precautionary tips that you can follow for your family and your dog's safety.

Tip # 1: Choose the breed wisely. Each dog breed has different personalities and different temperament. It is highly recommended that you choose the breed of the dog by the lifestyle that you live. If you have a huge active family and have a lot of room to accommodate pets, then you can opt to get the more active but gentle breeds such as the Labradors. If you want the tamer pets, then a Shih Tzu would suit your personality perfectly.

Tip # 2: Be extra careful with puppies and children. At these stages in their lives, both a puppy and a kid may have too much curiosity and energy to be good for each other. So never leave them alone together without supervision. Puppies may not be properly trained yet and can bite on anything, including those little hands. And toddlers may also be a bit too fearless to know if a puppy is getting provoked or not.

Tip # 3: Walk the dog always with an adult holding the leash. This is especially true with larger dogs. Larger dogs can easily drag your kids away when they go on a run. So make sure that there is always adult supervision the next time you take the family pet out for a walk.

Tip # 4: Give your pets some time alone when eating or sleeping or when they are caring for their young. Dogs, just like people, also need personal space to do their thing. And just like you, they can get grumpy when they are disturbed in the middle of it. So as much as you would like to cuddle and hug them the whole day, give them at least this time alone to avoid any kind of provocation.

Tip # 5: Stay away when your pets make hissing or growling sounds. These are clear signs of provocation and can be the onset to biting. So tell everyone in the family, especially your kids, not to wait but to immediately stay away from the dog as soon as they notice this. Aside from that, never run when your pet starts to show such behavior. Instead, walk away as calmly as you can to avoid startling him and provoking him to advance.

Dogs without a question are one of the best pets to have around the house, even in households with kids. But still, the right kinds of precautions should be observed to protect both your family and your pets. With these tips in mind, you are sure to make that home as conducive to pet and human interaction as possible.