Toddlers & Dogs: safety rules, plus dfs Crufts giveaway

As most of you know, I am proud to be a dfs Crufts Mum and really pleased to be bringing you this great competition to win a family ticket to the event and your own personalised flight bag.

We had our dog - a chocolate Labrador called Ella - before Ruby came along. The timing was great because Ella was about 3 years old by then, and I think this is a great age.  She was no longer an over excited puppy, snappy or boisterous, nor is she yet into cranky old-lady dog mode. Although, all that said, the advice is still never leave a child and a dog together without adult supervision.

I've never had any worries about the two of them playing together although Ruby's love of dogs generally has meant we have had to teach her some basic rules as she has a habit of bounding up to any dog she meets. She has no fear and will happily cuddle a dog twice her size, but obviously it can potentially be dangerous with dogs she doesn't know.

The basic rules she has learnt are:

• Always ask the dog's owner for permission before approaching the dog or trying to stroke it
• Be calm and gentle around dogs
• Never pull, push or hurt a dog, or treat it like a toy
• Never 'corner' a dog, always make sure the dog can walk away if it doesn't want to be stroked
• Never try to take a toy or bone off a dog, and stay away from them when they are eating.

You can read much more about toddlers and dogs on the Kennel Club's website and their Safe and Sound campaign.


Now, onto the giveaway.  We are really looking forward to attending dfs Crufts this year as a family, and The Kennel Club have given me a family ticket plus the personalised bag to give away to one lucky blog reader.


To enter, simply leave a comment below stating you wish to be included.


You can gain one additional entry for doing each of the following:

1. Like the Kennel Club Facebook page  
2. Follow them on Twitter @KCLovesDogs
3. Like my blog Facebook page
4. Tweet the following " I've entered @missielizzieb 's competition to win family tickets to #dfscrufts with @KCLovesDogs. You can enter here: http://bit.ly/eUQass "

Please leave details in your comment of any additional entry methods you have completed and PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE ME A WAY TO CONTACT YOU such as your twitter ID, facebook name or email address.


The winner will be drawn at random.


Closing date is Wednesday 02 March 2011 at 8pm.


The prize is for one personalised bag and a family ticket to visit dfs Crufts.


Open to UK entrants only.


This is a sponsored post.