Tips on Acclimating your Bichon Frise to your Children

bichon frise

The Bichon Frise is a dog that people absolutely love and adore. It’s one that has some seriously sweet looks and a great personality, but not everyone is cut out to own this sweet breed. It’s the kind of dog that requires a little bit more maintenance and effort than other small dogs because of its lovely coat and its grooming needs, but it’s actually a great family dog. It is a dog that looks a little bit like a cotton ball and it has a wonderful disposition. Friendly and energetic, it comes across as the kind of dog anyone would want to own. Even those with children at home will find that this is a good dog to raise with their little ones. Many people go back and forth. It seems a good number of people assume that big dogs make better family dogs because they are protective, and others feel that small dogs are more likely to make good pets since they are small and less likely to hurt a child. The truth is that most dogs make good family dogs provided they are correctly brought up and socialized, and the Bichon Frise is no exception to the rule. Bringing home a Bichon Frise is a big responsibility that comes with a great deal of though and decision making, but you can make sure that your dog interacts well with the kids and that the kids interact well with the dog. We have some information that will help you along the way.

Don’t Leave Dogs and Kids Alone

The truth of the matter is that the dog is not going to hurt the kids. He’s simply not large enough. The worst he could do is nip or scratch, but certainly not maim. However, kids can hurt dogs – especially small ones. This can happen even though the kids don’t intend for it to happen. Kids can assume they are playing nicely and having a good time with the dog when they are, in fact, injuring the poor creature beyond measure. Kids have no intention of hurting animals, but it can happen because this is a small, susceptible breed. The best thing you can do for your kids and your dogs are never to leave them alone together, and that goes for all kids and all breeds; not just the Bichon Frise.

Dogs Do Attack

Even a small dog like the Bichon Frise is prone to attack. It’s the kind of dog that will become defensive if it’s brought to that point. Even the most friendly, most well-behaved, most docile dogs, such as the Bichon Frise, might become aggressive and attack a child if provoked. What do we mean? This is a small dog, and as a puppy it’s even smaller. It’s the kind of animal that might fall asleep on a floor and be run over by a playing child, or a dog that might be squeezed a little too tightly by a small child whose only attempt and only goal is to show a little love. If this happens to your dog, it could turn into something slightly dangerous and very inconvenient. Like we mentioned above, the dog will probably not do much damage to the child. However, you just never know so it’s always best to keep the two separated if you are not visibly present with them together.

Socialize Early

One of the things you have to do, even with a small breed such as Bichon Frise, is make sure that the dog is socialized early. This is a dog that needs to be around kids from the start in order to ensure that it gets used to the noise, the behavior and the antics of children. The more a dog is used to, the better it will do with the situation at hand. For example, a dog that is around children from an early age and from the beginning is going to have a much easier time adjusting. A dog that is around for a long time without children might have a bit more difficulty adjusting to the kind of lifestyle that comes with having kids, and it might take a bit more effort on your part. However, that’s not true of all dogs, especially when it comes to this breed. A loved and cared for older dog might be just as happy about the arrival of a new baby as the rest of the family; you just never know until you are in the position.

Learn the Signs

There are some signs you have to learn to watch for with the dogs and the kids. Kids are a little bit easier to deal with, but you can watch for signs that your dog is feeling that something is not right. For example, a dog that seems to bare his teeth and growl a bit more often is probably going through something that makes him feel uncomfortable. If you know what to look for with the dog, and what signs are most common with these animals, you will learn to recognize when a problem requires your attention.

Train the Kids

The dog is not the only part of the family that requires training. It’s always a good idea to train the kids as well. You need to teach the kids to respect your dog. Teach the kids that it’s important to make sure they always respect the dog’s space and never get too close until the dog is awake and fully aware of what is happening in the moment. Dogs who are scared out of a nap or deep sleep from a child are more likely to freak out and attack or become defensive. Kids should learn to respect their dogs and this requires just as much effort on your part. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that you set a good example. If your kids see you treating the dog as though he or she is an important and valued member of the family, they are more likely to do the same.

Photo by Getty Images

 

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