Avoiding puppy problems with small children

A new puppy in the home is very exciting  and we Perfect Pet Sitters love our clients’ pets – new or old - almost as much as they do! We certainly give them endless attention and whether living in (our premier service) or visiting your pet’s daily, they’re treated like stars.

As well as the love of pets, something else that unites us and our clients is abhorence of cruelty to animals. And something I saw recently made me think how ‘problem pets’ can be caused by what they experience in the very homes where they should find only love and kindess.

Let me explain. My previous blog was about little Harry who my clients rescued. From the way Harry would cringe they suspect he’d been beaten in his past.

Now with loving, caring owners, Harry finally has great life. And when I went to to live-in with him, I took him everywhere with me – even on a Road trip to Kiama. It was as I was walking around Kiama town that the following scene played out in front of me.

I was standing letting Harry do some sniffing, and right in front of me a man is his late 30s was sitting on the grass talking to friends. Behind his back limited by the length of lead was a tiny bundle of fluff I took to be a Cavoodle, probably not even 14 weeks old. As I stood with Harry, I saw the man’s daughter hit the dog on the head a number of times, then she poked, then prodded – until the distressed puppy yelped in pain.

How could anyone hurt a puppy?
This is a model - not the puppy ill-treated as described in this blog!

The father carried on talking completely ignoring the dog’s cries and the horrible scene going on behind him. The tiny puppy in trying to defend itself against the onslaught made a little growl which the 4 ish year old girl took as her cue to pick up a stick and then repeatedly hit the puppy over the head with it.

Fully expecting to get abuse, I nevertheless decided I could not walk on by and spoke to the man. However, whilst he acknowledged what I said, he simply threw the stick a few feet away. From his casual response (plus the fact he said nothing at all to the girl) I thought how she was treating the puppy was not the first time.

Here’s the thing – children are often rough with pets. But what this girl was doing was more than a little rough play. In fact it is not uncommon for children to hurt animals and there has been much written around the subject. Partly it’s about a child developing, realising their strength and finding they have power over something. But at some level a child knows what they are doing is wrong when they do it furtively.  

With the Instinct to fight or flight a puppy will try to escape, but children can be relentless and pursue them. Eventually if the torment continues the fight response could surface and the desperate animal might well snap at or even bite its persecutor. Once a child is bitten the dog is always blamed. If lucky it might get a second chance through Rescue. But if labelled ‘aggressive’ will likely be euthanised - a very unfair end to what is nearly always an avoidable situation.

No parent wants to think their child could be cruel  – but it has to be  acknowledged that this behaviour does happen and that small children and young, vulnerable animals are not always a marriage made in heaven.

I have witnessed first hand the way tormenting behaviour can change the character of pet which in a different home would have made an ideal family dog.

If you would like a copy of my PDF detailing the top 10 actions which will help puppies, and any dog including rescue dogs, fit in and be happy with your family, email me at perfectpetsitter@hotmail.com I will send you a copy.

Puppy takes on Boxer - AND WINS!

Q: What do you get when you mix a Wheaten Terrier puppy with a stately Lady Boxer?

A:  A very interesting Pet Sit!

Dog sitting on the Northern Beaches and Sydney area brings many surprises. One is how you forget when you haven’t looked after a puppy for a long time just how much energy they have. In theory you exercise, feed and play with them – and then they sleep.  Hmmm, only problem is, someone forgot to tell the puppies that!

I recently had a fun two weeks looking after Audrey a cuteness itself six month old Spaniel – but boy did she keep me on my toes – no sleeping for Audrey and certainly not much for me! Then Claire and Elly (her own 8 year old Boxer) together spent three weeks looking after another energetic puppy -  Chico a 7 month old Wheaten Terrier.

Chico is typical of pups of his age – masses of energy and a lot to learn! So it was going to be interesting to see how stately lady Elly and the teenage Chico got on.

Elly in her younger years was very ill. Having recovered from a death’s door condition, these days she looks robust - but looks can be deceiving. She has a severely fused spine and arthritis and ideally should keep to easy walks. But as soon as she met Chicho he wanted to play – and Elly couldn’t resist his cheeky charms!

Chico & Elly - Chico uncharacteristically quiet!

The pair developed quite a bond and became real fur pals. In the house Chico jump would on Elly or lick her face, and she being very good natured didn't mind. But now and then if she was tired she would make it clear play time was over – and Chico knew to give her a rest!

On walks Chico loved being chased and his favourite game was finding a stick and teasing Elly to try and take it. Not something she managed very often as he literally did run rings around her.

But Elly taught Chico a few things, like drinking from a running tap. He used to watch her and then one day did it himself. She also taught him limitations and few manners! In turn being around a high energy bundle helped Elly re connect with her ‘inner puppy’. She became very playful and seemed to get younger.

So although it seems the Pup wins when it takes on the Boxer - in fact when young meets old, the energy of the one and the wisdom of the other means pups or dogs - they all win:-)