Chinese Foos are reputed to be very patient and good companions for children. Of course, every dog is an individual and some dogs will be better with children than others. Buying a puppy makes the owners responsible for how the dog is raised and how it will behave around people outside the home and with the people it lives with. Here are a few tips for those that are thinking of buying a Chinese Foo and want to make sure they will get along well with children.
The most important part of preparing a Chinese Foo to live with children is to make sure it gets the proper training and socialization it needs. Obedience training can start quite early, and even the youngest Chinese Foo can start to learn the commands of sit, stay, and come at an early age. For those that are inexperienced with training young dogs or wish to have a little help, there are puppy obedience classes, or Puppy Kindergarten, as they are sometimes called. This class will help new owners and their dogs learn the obedience basics. Bringing children along to class will be beneficial as well. Children can learn the proper way to train the family dog, in addition to learning the proper way to take care of him.
Puppy obedience classes also help in the area of socialization, which is important for a dog of any breed. Socialization is simply the practice of getting a dog accustomed to being around people. Dogs that are not used to the presence of people apart from their family could run the gamut of behaviors that are not good for the dog or the family, from extremes of shyness to aggressiveness. Chinese Foos will benefit from the socialization found in obedience classes, not only getting to know the other dog owners, but getting used to the presence of other dogs as well.
Other methods of socialization include taking your Chinese Foo to the park to play, where he can have the opportunity to see people and possibly other dogs, to pick up the kids from school, where he can get used to the presence of other children, running errands or even walking through the neighborhood. These socialization sessions will go a long way in helping your Chinese Foo learn how to behave properly around guests in the home, including your children's friends.
While training the Chinese Foo to understand what is expected of him, it is important to teach the children what is acceptable behavior with the dog as well. Small children should always be supervised with dogs, and gradually, as they learn not to play too roughly or to understand the signals a dog gives when he's ready to take a break, children can spend more time with the dog alone.
Making sure everyone understands what is expected of him is the best way to make sure your Chinese Foo and your children will get along well and create a lasting friendship.
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