Meeting an Owner with his/her dog!

Have you taught your kids how to meet a dog? I have taught my kids to ask an owner if they can pet that person's dog if we are out & about or on a walk.   Some dogs are ok with meeting new people, but some dogs are not ok.  It is better to ask before.  I taught my kids the proper way to meet a new dog by placing your hand in front of the dog's mouth so they can smell you.  Then petting the dog.

We also have that same practice here. My son had a party in our home.  Our older husky was to be in his crate, but we found out the day before while we were cleaning that he was scratching at his crate causing holes in it. This was due to his separation anxiety. I had to have him out of his crate when we were home.  I was afraid what he could do to himself in his crate while we were all in our home the day of Noah's birthday party. 

Before the kids arrived, I was outside. Zeus was inside.  I asked questions like:
~How do you greet a dog for the first time? 

~Do you know what separation anxiety is? 
I answered each question after I let the kids answers it. I told the kids don't overwhelm Zeus, let him come to you. 

Zeus did wonderful during the birthday party.  He loved all the attention from the kids. The kids followed all my instructions when they entered the house on how to greet Zeus. It was a great Birthday party for my son!  

Another thing I am teaching our kids to how to read the dog's body language. I am going to print something out. I think this is important for my kids to know, too.  I am also teaching my kids that they should know that if 1 dog of the breed is not nice it does not mean all of them is going to be mean. There are so many breeds that get bad rep. It is the owners that treat the dog bad.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Zeus & how he is feeling.  Zeus has been spending more time with Ashleigh, which I love to see! 

Happy Labor Day to everyone!
Melissa