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Some state have been re-thinking their child safety seat laws and changing them to include older kids. Here’s what you need to know…

Every state requires infants to ride in car seats. Now some states have changed their laws and require older children to be in car seats. California, for instance, just recently made a change that now requires children to ride in a safety or booster seat until they are least six years old or weigh at least 60 pounds.

Still, many states only require children weighing 40 pounds or less to ride in a car seat. The problem is that seatbelts don’t fit most 40-pound children correctly. And with more children killed as passengers in car crashes than from any other injury, you can see why it’s important to have your child properly restrained. This requires choosing the right car seat and using it properly.
How do you select the right seat? What’s the best car seat out there?

Well, there’s no such thing as the “best” car seat for everyone. The best seat is the one that fits your child right and can be installed properly in your car. Prices fluctuate, and higher prices do not necessarily mean a car seat is better or safer to use.

For toddlers and older children, you can choose from convertible seats, combination seats, travel vests, built-in car seats, and booster seats.

Convertible Car Seats are bigger and heavier than infant seats. Though you can use this while your child is an infant, they can also be turned facing forward for toddlers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends this for toddlers who are at least a year old and weighing 20 – 40 lbs. Many convertible seats have two or more buckle positions and adjust as your child grows.

Combination Seats are always used front-facing and recommended for children at least 1 year of age who weigh at least 20 lbs. These seats come with an internal harness system. When removed, it converts to a belt-positioning booster. The booster position is best suited for children over 40 lbs.

Booster Seats come in two types: 1) belt-positioning which uses the car’s lap-shoulder belts and 2) shield boosters. Manufacturers do not certify shield boosters for use by children who weigh more than 40 lbs. For these children, the shield may be removed and the booster can be used with the car’s lap-shoulder belt.

Travel Vests are another option if your car has only lap belts. Your car may also be equipped with built-in car seats. These should be used for children over one year of age and weighing at least 20 lbs. Make sure to check the weight and height limits, as they vary.

It’s not enough to just select the right car seat for your child, you’ve got to install and use it properly. Here are some tips to help you:

• Always use a car seat and teach your children the good habit of “buckling up.”

• Read instructions carefully and make sure the seat is installed properly.

• If your car has a passenger side airbag, never place a child in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Most modern cars come with airbags, so it’s best to keep your child in the back seat.

• Keep the harness or buckle snug and make sure the clip or buckle is in place. The straps should lay flat.

When is my child ready for a regular seat belt?

You should keep your child in a safety seat as long as possible. However, when your child is big enough, he/she can wear a regular seat belt as long as it fits properly. The shoulder belt should lie across the chest and be snug across the thighs. Your child should be able to sit against the seat back with feet hanging down when legs are bent at the knees.

Individual state laws differ as to when a child is considered big enough to use a regular seat belt. Check with your local department of motor vehicles office to find out about your state’s rules concerning child passenger safety.

Dog Food Rewards

The food-reward business crept into dog training several years ago and now appears to have taken a stronger following.

In my honest opinion, dog owners are being conned into thinking that it is a very nice, gentle way of training a dog without compulsion. Sure, many dogs will do 1118 anything for a piece of food if they are hungry, and some always are! But they are not doing it out of respect for their owner. They are just doing it to get the food. This poses many problems. I grieve for dog owners who come to me, show me their problems and tell me that they have been somewhere else where they were taught to train with food.

My simple answer to their problem is, “Please don’t worry. Forget all you’ve been taught before. Let’s start again. With all the exercises, we will show the dog what to do, praise him when he responds, encourage him when he is unsure or lacks willingness and correct him when and where necessary. Everything will be all right, and you will win the respect and affection of the dog, who will then be willing to work with you.” That is the basis of good dog training.

‘ou have seen how enjoyable dog training can be for both you and your dog. The exercises you have learned, particularly the heelwork and the come command, will give you a super start. You might like to leave it there, and if you do, that is quite all right. On the other hand, you might like to learn more. If you do, why not join an obedience dog training class? You will, in time, learn how to do many more exercises, and later you might like to enter your dog into obedience competitions.

When you have taught your dog the basic obedience exercises, why not teach him a few tricks? You’ll find that it is great fun, as will your dog, and people watching will get a great thrill.

When your dog has learned to sit for his meal and to stay until told that he can eat, you can train him to shake hands. You could either say, “Give me your paw!” or, “Shake hands!” Then lift his front paw up and gently shake it a couple of times. Praise him and then say, “Now the other paw!” and take his other paw in your other hand and give that a couple of gentle shakes, too. By doing this every time you get your dog to sit for his meals, he will soon learn to shake hands, so well in fact that you won’t have to lift his paw up. He will lift it up himself every time you say, “Give me your paw!” You will also find that he will give you the paw that is nearest to your hand. Then ask for the other paw by putting your other hand to the opposite side. Later, the dog will give you his paw at any time of the day; then you can make it one of his little tricks by getting him to shake hands with other people.

If your dog likes carrying something in his mouth or likes running after something and bringing it back to you, then encourage him to do so. Treat it as a great game. If your dog doesn’t like doing it, don’t worry. There are plenty of other enjoyable things you can do together, and I shall talk about those when we train the dog to do tricks. Blue buffalo dog food coupons are always handy for this. Teaching the retrieve exercise to a dog who isn’t a natural retriever can be very difficult for you and requires much patience. So that exercise is best left for adults to teach the dog.

However, let’s imagine your dog likes going after the article you have thrown, but when he picks up the object, he doesn’t want to come back to you again! You could be disappointed, but don’t worry. Put your dog on a leash, throw the article just a few yards in front of you and say “Fetch!” As the dog goes out to fetch, go with him on the full length- of the leash. As soon as the dog picks up the item, praise him joyfully and call him to you just like you did when you were teaching him to come. When you have gotten the dog to sit in front of you, take hold of the article, say “Give!” and as soon as the dog opens his mouth, praise him-”Good dog!”

Too Big For A Car Seat? Maybe Not…

Dog Food Rewards

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