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Be dogmatic... and treat your children like Rover says expert
Felix Allen, Evening Standard27 Aug 2008
Small children should be taught how to behave by treating them like dogs, a senior trainer at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home claimed today.
Behavioural specialists at the animal charity say mothers should forget trying to reason with their children and instead show them who is boss.
The experts claim that parents need more direct ways of teaching acceptable conduct as young children have only "limited ability" to communicate their feelings through talking.
Pat Moore, deputy head of behaviour at the home, said the key to training a dog, or indeed a toddler, was "positive reinforcement" - and even suggested offering treats such as sweets and toys as rewards.
She said: "Becoming a dog owner or a new parent puts people under pressure. Neither puppies nor toddlers can be expected to immediately know how to behave in certain situations and need clear, consistent guidance.
"The key is to use more simplified verbal communication and distinctive body language. The tone of voice is key, along with your facial expressions.
"If you are giving a command, you don't need to yell and shout, but you should make sure your voice is firm and your meaning clear."
The charity's advice, which features in next week's Paws magazine, says that rewarding good behaviour, through verbal praise, physical affection and treats, is far more effective than punishing naughtiness.
The article says: "When training the dogs at Battersea we use a mixture of rewards including tasty treats for really good behaviour. If you use the best treats all the time - such as a chew - it loses its value and isn't so attractive.
"While we aren't child psychologists, it seems that parents should act in a similar way, keeping a range of rewards for different circumstances.
"Behaving well on a shopping trip may result in a trip to the playground or a packet of sweets, it wouldn't usually mean buying an expensive toy."
The dog experts say that if a toddler is possessive about a favourite toy, the thing to do is distract the child - as you would with a dog and its ball - while swapping it for something else.
Any sign of attention-seeking in children should be dealt with very firmly using tried and tested dog-handling techniques, they advise parents.
Child behavioural experts have also backed the advice.
Sue Atkins, a parenting coach and author of Raising Happy Children For Dummies, said: "It is an interesting question and I have laughed at times about the similarities between puppies and children.
"In the sense of who's in control and knowing what you want to communicate, I would agree with what is being said. Obviously you would not want to take the analogy too far, but on a basic level you can make comparisons."
Alison Russell, another Battersea expert, said: "Child psychology and dog behaviour are of course complex and very individual subjects, but there are some startling similarities between them which can be tackled with simple behavioural techniques.
"When you have a dog, for example, that jumps up and barks to get attention, we try to avoid the behaviour in the first place by setting up a game with them well ahead of time.
"The important thing is not to interact with them when they are behaving badly as they will play up just to get your attention.
"Dogs mature far more quickly into adulthood than humans but both species have a 'socialising' period and it is in this early stage that they form an impression of the world and how to cope with it."
Reader views (4)
This is what I've been saying for years... nice to see people finally listening.
- Peter, London, UK, 28/08/2008 10:48
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I tried putting my kids face in his poo but the next day he made another mess.. Should I be hitting him with a newspaper?
- Joe Mahama, Savanah Georgia , USA, 28/08/2008 04:44
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Totally agree, and its what I use with my son. Children recognise tone, rather than words, and there is little use in shouting. My son responds better to my dropped tone when he has done something wrong.
- Smb, London, UK, 27/08/2008 13:14
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OK Have I fallen for it?
This idea, no matter how good, is one I have followed with my child for years.
Dicipline in our house is harsh but fair...
But this concept being put forward by an expert called "Pat Moore" who wants us to pat more!
Is it the first of April?
- Dene Wood, Grays, Essex, That little country by the sea that used to have, 27/08/2008 12:32
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