Saturday 19 February 2011

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.

55 comments:

  1. What a great post and fantastic advice for everyone with dogs and kids. Good luck to everyone entering, it should be a great day at Crufts!

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  2. have followed on facebook (kiki woo)4 u both and have tweeted @kikicomp

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  3. Elaine Livingstone19 February, 2011 15:12

    nice to see a sensible parent where dogs are concerned, toddlers scare my dog, so I keep her on a harness in public, but people will let children approach her!!
    followed all 4 stages as outlined above, thanks for giveaway.
    @pooohbear2811

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  4. ileana.fernandes21@googlemail.com19 February, 2011 15:23

    I have followed on fb and posted on my wall too about this competition :)

    Great competition x

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  5. Include me please! Great advice as kids forget that they're not toys. @mummyattheschoolgate

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  6. Please include us! I have tweeted @K3L24. We have two boys who absolutely love dogs. We rescued a staffy cross 7 years ago and she is wonderful with our children. Great advice above. Thanks you for the competition.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. I'm attempting again as I'm so clever I forgot to add a way to contcat us, just in case we won.

    www.facebook.com/nicsbits

    I hope that works now

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  9. please include me

    gemmahenshaw@yahoo.com

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  10. Thanks for the competition - a visit to Crufts would be very exciting for us. I have liked on Facebook and now I'm going to try the tweet :)
    @pjo77

    Pat

    carsington@ovi.com

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  11. I would love to go to crufts as I am a new dog owner and I urgently need tips to control my loveable crazy hound. My twitter name is @Lady_Taloolah and I am off to tweet and like on FB.

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  12. yes please :-) @windermerelodge

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  13. What a fab prize! I LOVE dogs and would love this prize :)
    I've done all the different post, follows etc. And would love to be entered please. I'm @lisalittlespud

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  14. Following you on facebook :)

    What a great list of rules. We'll be sure to teach our son these rules when he gets a little bit older to understand them.

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  15. 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 "

    All done, thank you for a great competition

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  16. Please include me in the draw

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

    Contact me
    Facebook (Alice Hindley
    Twitter @aesop57

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

    Thanks hunnypie27@gmail.com
    @kimmer2111

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  18. Great advice! I already like the KC page so not sure that counts lol.

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  19. What a great post & competition. But please tell any families with children visiting Crufts that you are not allowed to touch the dogs on the benches. Sadly this has not been observed despite many signs and advice. "Let sleeping dogs lie"

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  20. Hi,
    I think it's really important that children know how to interact safely with dogs especially strange dogs. Fortunately my 6 month old Brooke has been surrounded by dogs even in the womb!! The only problem is she may end up thinking she is a dog!I've liked kennel club Facebook page.Contact me via Facebook Gemma Hurry

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  21. Thank you for this very informative post which is full of excellent information that many people need to remember when having dogs and young children.

    We have always had dogs and appreciate the importance of responsible owners, especially around children but sadly many people don't take these things into consideration.

    We would love to be included in your competition as we attend Crufts as often as we can.

    We have liked both Facebook pages, follow you and the Kennel Club on Twitter and are off to Tweet now.

    Love Laura Jane Quick,
    @Eljay1980 xxx

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  22. Very nice post. So many people need to take this advice and use it!

    We would love to be included in your competition as we have never attended Crufts before.

    I have 'liked' your page and the Kennel Club.
    Alisonroets@gmail.com
    www.Freyasway.com
    Reading

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  23. Loved your blog.

    I had my 2 dogs after having my children. Bella is a rescue and was 2 yrs when we had her and Breeze was a puppy.
    I had to teach my daughters doggy etiquette, which they use with all dogs they meet. I train and compete in dog agility so we meet lots of dogs!!

    Looking forward to your next blog - hope to see you at crufts.

    Vicki E x

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  24. Great post. We have a boxer & he's fantastic with C but obviously we have to try and teach her that not all dogs are quite so friendly!

    I follow @KClovesdogs on twitter

    (@B4kersgirl)

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  25. thanks for writing this, a bunch of good tips that A LOT of parents should take into account...I've seen way too many accidents that could have been avoided if these simple rules were followed.

    Good luck to everyone entering the competition, I'm outside the UK so I won't enter but I loooooove that personalised bag and wish I could have one, to carry all my dog's toys, snacks, biscuits... yes he's spoiled rotten :P

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  26. Thank you for great post. You answered me some questions.

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  27. Please include me in the draw to win the tickets.
    I stongly beleive that all children should be educated on how to interact safely with dogs if they so wish, and how to avoid them if they don't. My 15 month old petterdale terrier X springer spaniel can be quite nervous of strange people and I dread walking past the bus stop when the local school bus is pulling up. I live in an area of London where, unfortunately, many dogs are (aboninably) used by some people for indimidation or protection. This means that many children in this area grow up being affraid of all dogs and, when they see me and my well-behaved dog approaching, their reaction is to start screaming and running around. Obviously this behaviour will either excite or terrify a dog depending on their temperament and I often have to ask the kids to stop immediately and expain how their behaviour is scaring my dog. I am tempted to write to the school offering to present a talk about dog-sense utilizing my 15 years of experience teaching both children and dogs and the Kennel club's great guidelines on the subject.

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  28. I have a two year old son and a three year old bloodhound. I completely agree with what you say and have had the exact same experience. My hound's waggy tail is the biggest drawback!

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  29. Thanks so much for all your comments, I'm so pleased at the reactions to this post!

    Sadie - please come back!! I need a way to contact you should you win! Please leave another message with a twitter or email address. And I completely agree with you. Maybe you should approach the school and see if they'd let you. It's a different scenario I know, but we went into our daughter's nursery with my uncle who is registered blind and his guide dog. It was great for the kids to find out about how guide dogs do their work, what it's like to be blind, and why you shouldn't approach a working dog in harness x

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  30. 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

    All done - thanks

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  31. I've done as instructed!
    Tweeted, followed on twitter. Folloowed facebook page and blog.

    Exciting!

    @tabithall

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  32. Hi thank you great post, found the advice really useful. I am a huge dog lover, my dad, breed dogs many yrs ago. Would love one, bit know our LO is to small ATM.

    I have done all the steps including the tweet

    Thank you Amanda gidders1

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  33. Woop done it all, and tweeted @suedong, great prize for the family and I have always wanted to go :)

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  34. Please include me!

    I've liked both Facebook pages, followed the Kennel Club and RT's your tweet,

    Twitter >>>> @stressybessy914 - thanks x

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  35. What a great prize. Please include me.

    I've liked both Facebook pages (TracyGladman)
    Followed the Kennel Club and RT'd your tweet

    Twitter id - @2668looby

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  36. Please include me in the draw to win tickets. I've had two GSDs in my time, and they were just gorgeous. My children are animal mad, but because of lack of space we can't have a dog at the moment. Going to Crufts to see all of the dogs would be a real treat for them. Thank you!
    Twitter - ChelseaGirlP
    Facebook - Paula Fidler

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  37. followed all 4 stages as outlined above, thanks for giveaway.
    @kimmy393

    Kim Howes

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  38. We enjoyed your Blog and it really shows that dog is mans best friend. We have a Bishon called Charlie. He is 6 years old and so much a part of the family. The children would take him to school every day if they were allowed. He greets them in the morning and afternoon as if he had not seen them in weeks and is always willing to go for a walk no matter what the weather.
    Thanks and keep Blogging

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  39. I've entered @missielizzieb 's competition to win family tickets to #dfscrufts with @KCLovesDogs.
    followed ontwitted like on face book
    laura magpie

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  40. great prize! hope i win! @kemo_2002

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  41. Liked the Kennel Club Facebook page for additional entry @kemo_2002

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  42. Followed them on Twitter @KCLovesDogs

    @kemo_2002

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  43. liked your blog page on facebook

    @kemo_2002

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  44. tweeted about this competition on Twitter.

    @kemo_2002

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  45. OK, here I go again. Now I have to remember what I wrote before. It was so clever and witty lol. Well I would love to win the tickets to Crufts. I have never been and I have a Guide Dog puppy called Angus that has never been either :-) We wanted to help out on the Guide Dogs stand but we were too late to get free tickets and I can't afford to buy the tickets this year.

    I have followed and Facebooked and tweeted as instructed. My twitter id is jmrance1.

    I also volunteer for a dog rehoming charity called All Dogs Matter. Would appreciate a mention as we really need more forever homes for some lovely dogs that have had hard lives. Charity twitter is @alldogsmatter and we are on Facebook too. Any mentions would be great.

    Thanks

    Jane

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  46. Oooh I would so love to go! I was already following The Kennel Club on Twitter, have liked their FBook page (and yours too!) and tweeted your link (@NicsNotebook)... Great comp, fingers crossed! xx

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  47. Great post - and I'd love love love to win!! I tweeted too, and am following KC on twitter (sadly I don't 'do' facebook :-))

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  48. What a good idea....I have re-tweeted you. Us dogs need all the understanding we can get!

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  49. Hi, i want to ask something. When you give birth to your child does Ella not bark or bite at your child? or its natural to Ella not to bark or bite?

    Drei~best scrubs

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  50. Your good knowledge and kindness in playing with all the pieces was very useful. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not encountered such a step like this.
    ____________________________
    Portland Dog Training

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