Can you really educate a 3-year-old?

[casablanca1]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/02/08/bc-mauling.html

A B.C. coroner's jury looking into the dog-mauling death of a three-year-old boy in Maple Ridge has recommended better education to prevent similar tragedies in the future...Cody John Anger, 3, was killed by Rottweilers that were being kept in his Maple Ridge home...The five-member jury ruled the death accidental, but said there should be mandatory classes for children in Grade 3, teaching them how to interact with dogs.

I think the jury's crazy. The kid died because Mom was an idiot and a skank. Some women fall asleep and when they wake up, Junior's managed to start the car and drive into a brick wall. Do we need driving courses for toddlers too?

 

[Bahamutt99]

Well, they said Grade 3 as well, which was (I think) 8 years old when I was there. I think education for school-age children is a very good idea. They may not all have interest in dogs, but they're going to be living next door to, or down the street from them for the rest of their lives. They should at least know what to do when a dog walks up to them.

I think a 3-year-old could probably learn very simple rules. Of course, not all kids learn at the same rate. Parents should be the ones who seek to get educated, but so many think they "know dogs" and aren't open to anybody else telling them otherwise.

ETA: I saw the part in the article where they said that kids can pass on to their parents about Rotties delivering some of the most powerful, fatal bites. I think those are fear tactics, and not very helpful. But I did agree with this quote: "The bottom line is you have a big, strong active dog. You never ever leave them alone with young kids." Just expand it to apply to all dogs.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Can you really educate a three year old? Yup.

Didn't read the story, but no child should be left alone with a dog.

 

[Renee750il]

Agree with Buddy's 100%.

 

[mrose_s]

yep. 3 year olds can learn. i knew from as far back as i rememeber,if you hurt or annoy a dog. theres a chance it might bite you.
and if you love your dog. you don't provoke it. and vice versa, you train your dog to like the kids. if your dog loves you. it wont hurt you.
i've had atleast 2 dogs int he house the whole time i've grown up. and only 2 of them have been under 20kg. i trust my pets completley. but accidents happen and i wouldnt leave a child alone