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Originally Posted by velobabe Although I think many of you have listed legitimate reasons why some young children should not have Yorkies or small dogs in general as pets, I also think a lot has to do with teaching your child, no matter their age, to respect and love animals regardless of the animal's size. My Tristan just turned one and we have Piper and our Chi and also his "kitty-cat" that he LOVES to pieces. All three are small now compared to him, although he is very tiny for his age. We also have 1 Boxer puppy and 1 grown Boxer, whom he adores. As parents of both Tristan and all our furbabies it is our responsibility and duty to teach our son to love and respect all animals, which includes knowing the proper way to touch and pet them and not to "grab" onto or hold them. I believe if you teach a child from the beginning to respect animals, just as you teach them all other important "right from wrong" things, you are benefiting all involved. We always supervise our son around all our pets and will continue to do so but the fact that he knows not to "hurt" them helps make us one big happy and safe family. IMO they are never too young to learn how to love and respect animals, along with the proper way to touch and treat them  |
It isn't just teaching children from day one to respect animals. My grands have been raised around animals and taught to love and respect them all their lives. I am more concerned about the "tripping accidents" that small children have. I am sure none of our kids would fall on a puppy on purpose but at this age, they will trip often times right in the middle of the floor on a flat surface. Once is all it takes with a yorkie right next to them. Even when I walk, I almost always have to shuffle my feet when I am in the room where my baby is. Usually, he is hanging on to one or the other of my feet. I know he will grow out of it and he is just a baby right now but while I agree with your post and it is very well written, you left out the accident factor . It would be heartbreaking for everyone concerned. I wish the lady that was on here the other day telling about having her yorkie put down because her child tripped and fell on it breaking its neck would come forward and post. Can you imagine how devastated that family was.