Recently in Kids and pets Category

After a summer of freedom, with the kids having plenty of time to romp and play with the family dog, returning to school can be hard on everyone.

Dogs sometimes have trouble adapting to the new schedules as kids head back to school. Bark Busters, a dog training company, offers some helps and hints for families who are about to launch into fall with classes, homework and all the extracurricular activities:

"When kids return to school, the stress on every family member can be huge -- including the family dog," said Liam Crowe, master dog behavioralist and CEO of Bark Busters USA. "This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our canine companions, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first day of class, families can avoid many of the back-to-school behavior issues their dogs might exhibit."

Issues include separation anxiety, boredom, and unusual behaviors. The article offers ways families can cope with some of those issues.

HT: Dogster

The  SPCA-LA has sent out "House Rules for Children and Pets" in response to a story in today's Daily Breeze (you do read the newspaper, right?).

Crime reporter Larry Altman's article about a family pit bull who grabbed a 17-month-old boy's face in its mouth has generated some 100 comments from readers online so far (see the jump here for some samplings). The toddler apparently touched or pulled the dog's tail and the dog bit the baby in the face, leaving him with severe puncture wounds on his forehead and cheek.

It happened in the family's home in the 1000 block of Palos Verdes Boulevard in Redondo Beach.

The SPCA is urging parents to "never leave a child under the age of 8 unattended with a dog."

Pet owners also need to be vigilant in watching for warning signs such as food guarding or other aggressive behavior.

Specifically, the SPCA offers these preventative recommendations:

• An adult must be present at all times when children and pets interact.
• Teach children to respect pets as living things, not toys or objects.
• Teach the child not to sneak up on pets or tease them. Don't allow children to "ride" the dog.
• Pets shouldn't be handled or picked up by children. Pets should always keep a secure footing.
• Loud noises such as screams and fast moves such as running, hitting, or throwing objects at animals can trigger defensive reactions.
• No child should be permitted to act out aggression or other behaviors on pets.
• Allow your pet to seek solace by reserving a quiet place where children are not allowed, such as a dog crate.
• Don't let a child distrub a pet when it is sleeping or eating.
• Training a pet should be a family affair. Everyone should be involved.
• As a parent or adult, set a good example by following the house rules.

We've  posted before about pit bulls, but the SPCA says "no breed is exclusively good as a family pet."

Agree? Or not?

Kids and pets, it's a special bond that many of us cherish from our growing up years.

So here's a link to a charming video titled "Why Kids Need Pets." 

Courtesy of Pet Place, it's guaranteed to make you smile -- and maybe even laugh out loud on a Monday.

 

I spotted an online article from the UK this morning about how kids are losing touch with the natural world.

A poll done by the BBC Wildlife Magazine found that "playing in the countryside was children's least popular way of spending their spare time." Instead, kids said they'd "rather see friends (indoors, presumably) or play on their computer than go for a walk or play outdoors."

And this from the same article:

"Experts blamed the widening gulf between children and nature on over-protective parents and the hostility to children among some conservationists, who fear that they will damage the environment. They said that this lack of exposure to outdoor play in natural environments was vital for children's social and emotional development."

Sad.

But now for the antidote.

After reading that, I checked in on the "Bentley Farm Gazette," the family web page of my friends Tom & Janet Angell & their 8 kids who grew up on Bentley Farm in the Hudson Valley, New York.

Sarah, the oldest, now teaches science and has a recent post about the joys of A Day of Farming:

"Let's hear it for the hard-working folks (cows, family and friends alike) that keep this country fed!"

The photos she posted give you a feel for what growing up on a farm has meant to their family. Family farms once were a common setting for kids growing up. I grew up as an outdoor-loving California suburban kid, but I still remember the fun my cousins and I had on visits to my uncle's farm in Iowa. 

A series of great photos go with Sarah's post. But since this is a "pets" blog, I'll share this one of Sarah's brother Isaac. Isaac is home on a "working" summer break from his studies at Cornell Veterinary school and enjoying some special time with his faithful dog of many years, Bentley, a border collie (nach!).

  

I've posted more pictures from the Bentley Farm work day on the jump.

Related posts: What dogs can teach kids; and Prevent allergies -- get a dog.