Adding a new pet to your home is a joyful time. Ideally, you pick the perfect sleek addition, take it home, and complements your family. But the reality is that it can take a while to teach your new pet and your kids to live together in peace. A puppy who is just learning to navigate the world may hesitate in the presence of noisy children, and an adult dog, not used to children, can get nervous. Start planning before bringing your new pet into your home; also, bring some pet toys to comfort your new pet.
Follow these tips to introduce him to your family successfully.
Pick your new pet carefully
While it might be tempting to accept the first nonsense that shakes your heart, take your time to choose a family-friendly pet. Choose a family dog that is tolerant of children’s antics, such as a Labrador, Golden Retriever, or Beagle. If you have young children who may find it difficult to understand that a new pet needs a separate space, stay away from disturbing breeds such as dachshunds, Siberian huskies, and Weimaraner. While these breeds can make great pets, they do best in families with older children. If you regularly go to soccer practice, learn to swim, and play baseball, this might be the best choice for your family. While most new kittens love attention, they require much less preparation and can be left alone for extended periods of time, as they don’t have to be left outside every few hours.
Educate your kids to read your new pet’s body language
Your new pet may not be able to tell you when he is tired, but his body language will show his anxiety. Teach your child to recognize the warning signs of pets to avoid potential disasters. Stressful dogs show symptoms such as:
Yawning
Licking the lips
Squeezing the body
Drooling
Frowning
Flat ears
Narrow mouth
Whale eyes (that is, the dog sees the whites of the dog squirrels). Eyes when turning but still looking at a threat)
Your cat can signal that she is running out of patience with the following signs: Tail
Flapping ears
Flat ears
Wide eyes with a copper death chamber
Teach a child to watch for signs that their new pet needs to be alone and give it some space for a while.
Make a safe zone for your pet
Your pets need a place to escape when they are feeling overwhelmed. Create a safe haven in a quiet back room where you can hide to relax. Ideally, place your dog’s kennel in this location so that he has a positive relationship with the kennel, and he will naturally go there when he needs a break. Leave the cage door open and put a comfortable bed and your favorite toys inside. Make sure your pets have access at all times and tell the children not to disturb you while you are indoors. Your safe area.
Cats often feel safer above the hustle and bustle of the home and can watch from a distance. Place cat plants or roosts in a quiet room so your cat can escape and observe your family from a safe distance.
Place food and water out of the reach
People often put pet food and water bowls in the kitchen, which is not the most suitable place for pets. Like their comfort zone, pets like to eat in a quiet place where little hands can’t reach their food. Keep food and water out of the chaos at home, or close the kid’s kitchen door during home meals. Teach children never to place their hands near a pet food bowl while eating to avoid accidental bites.
Supervise playtime
Although children over four years of age may eventually be left alone with their pet when deemed safe, initial interactions should be carefully monitored. You may have chosen a breed that is suitable for the family, but each animal has its own personality, and you are not sure how to do it. Your pet will react when a small child pulls its tail or falls on top of it. Gentle pets have times when they can’t stand babies having watery eyes or picking their ears, so if you can’t keep a close eye on your kids and pets together, consider placing a pet. Your child is in another room where you can be close but not have direct contact with your children.
Tell your kids proper pet handling
During teacher-supervised lessons, teach your child how to handle and play with your pet carefully. They should pat your dog or cat on the back with long gentle strokes, moving away from the head and face. Many pets are nervous about fast-moving children. So, teach your child to calmly walk around your pet and speak softly to alert him of your presence. Please note that children should not pull the pet by the tail, ears, or hair and explain that it will hurt like their fur. The throw will be injured.
Socialize your pet
A socialized pet will be more confident, less nervous, and more tolerant of your kids’ loud noises and quick movements. Introduce your pet to as many new people, animals, sounds, smells, and surfaces as possible to help them understand it. New impressions are not scary. The primary socialization period for a puppy or kitten is 3 to 14 weeks, but socialization is a lifelong experience, and older pets can also benefit from new experiences. Make sure your pets have varied experiences and reward them regularly to help them form positive relationships with new people, animals, and the environment. Do not push your pet if he is nervous and let him move at a pace that suits him.