Web Resources for Children

This is one of many dog ownership tips I'd like to share with you under the name 'Paws for Thought' written by a friend at work, posted here with her permission. Please note that these posts are written by a dog lover learning more every day and happy to share. They are intended to give you options and ideas to think about. They do not replace the help of a professional (such as a vet, behaviourist, trainer or lawyer). Posts can be shared with others as long as you make sure that any references contained within the post remain with the post and please do not take chunks out of context. Preference is definitely for the whole post to be shared rather than pieces.

In previous posts about children and dogs it’s been mentioned that it is ideal for your children to learn as much as they can about dogs and how to treat them respectfully and be safe without necessarily doing it hands on with a dog (for both the child’s and the dogs sake). One option for engaging and educating children is the use of games, puzzles and other activities. There are a range of these available on the web (of varying quality) but here are just a few to start with.

Here are some of the web resources available to help children to learn more about dogs, and have some fun at the same time.

The UK Kennel Club has a site for children including Sasha’s 20 Paw Plan for Safety (http://www2.the-kennel-club.org.uk/web_portal/) which can then lead to testing your child’s knowledge through the Safe and Sound Safety Factor Challenge (http://www2.the-kennel-club.org.uk/safeandsound.html). In this game primary age children get to make decisions in about 10 different scenarios. Their decisions earn them bite marks or safety stars. If they can get through with no bite marks then they can print of a certificate.

The QLD Government has a website called ‘Kids Help An Animal Smile’  (http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/animalwelfare/11594.html) which includes all sorts of crosswords, posters, games, animal care tips and more. Check out the caring for Dougal Dog Quiz under the games link. It has three levels of play to select from and a wide range of questions testing your child’s (and your)
knowledge of dogs and their care.

The Victorian Government has a Responsible Pet Ownership website for primary schools with lots of information, activities and games. Check out http://www.pets.dpi.vic.gov.au/01/main.htm.

RSPCA Australia has a World of Animal Welfare site at http://www.woaw.org.au/ with lots of animal related information and activities.

You can also check out The Frontline Flea Run game at http://www.petalia.com.au/kidz_korner/flearun.swf where you get to chase pesky fleas with Frontline pipettes – well at the very least it will teach computing skills and timing : )


Other sites that might be of interest to you and your child include:

McGruff’s website at http://www.mcgruff.org/

http://www.dog-paw-print.com/games-kids-can-play.html with a wide range of games of different levels of difficulty.

Clifford the big red dog site at http://pbskids.org/clifford/index-brd-flash.html

http://www.loveyourdog.com/gamecenter.html

And of course the National Geographic website (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/).


Of course parents should check out the sites for suitability before letting their children spend time there – as with any website.