Introducing a new child to the family dog can go a few different ways. The dog can be fearful of the child and respond in a bad way when approached. The dog may also play too rough with the child, perhaps making the parents a bit concerned – or, as with Loki the German shepherd and Tallulah, the dog and the child can become the best of friends.

The uncertainty of introducing a child to the family

At first, Ryan Symes, Loki’s owner and Tallulah’s father, was unsure about how Loki would react to a child in the family. When he first got Loki, the dog would jump on tables, chew on things, and was a naughty pup at times. Symes says he wasn’t the best of trainers, but once baby Tallulah came along, everything changed.

Loki quickly adjusts

Loki quickly became very protective of the little girl. Since she started to move around on her own, Loki has always kept an eye on her. Who knew that a baby would be just what Loki needed to become a more responsible dog? For her part, Tallulah seems to have no fear of Loki’s big size.

“Tallulah has no fear. She was very intrigued by Loki,” Symes told The Dodo. “Before Tallulah was born, Loki wasn’t always so responsible. He very much grew up kind of doing whatever he wanted.”

Loki is a great big brother

Loki has always been a big puppy at heart – and so, this mixed with his gentle nature, making him a great big brother to the little girl. In fact, it’s hard to find a stronger bond between a dog and human.

How to train your dog to be around young children

Unfortunately, many dogs aren’t as accepting of children as Loki is of Tallulah – and there here are a variety of reasons why a dog might be a bad fit for a family with a child. Still, one should always remember, if trained properly, a dog can become a great companion for a child. The biggest thing to keep in mind is to never leave your pet alone with a young child.

Treating each other with respect

Part of properly supervising your child and dog is ensuring that you can easily separate them when you can’t watch them together. One solution could be to use some type of barrier like a playpen, baby gate, or crate.

You never know what might happen when you’re not looking, so the simplest solution is to just keep dogs and children separated when you are away.

You should also train your dog to play with appropriate objects, like a ball or some other type of toy. If not, your dog could harm your child without meaning to. Conversely, you should also teach your child the importance of giving your dog space and treating the animal as a living, breathing creature – and not some kind of doll or toy.

Developing a loving relationship

By following these simple guidelines, you can help your dog and child develop a loving and caring relationship that will ultimately last a lifetime. For more on Loki and Tallulah, check out Loki’s Instagram page.

Watch the video below for more information about the special relationship that Loki and Tallulah share!

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Source: The Dodo