Butter and the kids: house rules that work

Butter is a four-year-old Golden Retriever, and she is the most patient dog I know. We live in Sukhumvit with two children, aged six and nine, so when they first started pulling her ears and hugging her too hard, I had to set some rules quickly. What worked for us: the kids are not allowed to disturb her while she eats or sleeps, and they always ask before picking up her toys. We taught them to sit on the floor and let her come to them. It is calmer for everyone, and Butter loves the attention. For other families, I would suggest a dedicated space for the dog, a regular walk schedule, and a simple talk with the children about how to read a dog's body language. It takes a few weeks, but it makes a real difference.