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Kids and Dogs

Dogs and kids can form beautiful bonds. However, creating a safe and positive relationship between them requires proper supervision, guidance, and training for both the child and the dog. 


Understanding the Dog’s Perspective

Dogs communicate primarily through body language and may not naturally understand a child’s behavior. Kids can be unpredictable, loud, or overly enthusiastic, which some dogs might find overwhelming or stressful. Teaching children how to interact appropriately with dogs is key to building trust and ensuring safety.


Setting the Ground Rules for Kids

  1. Ask Permission First:

    • Teach kids to always ask an adult before approaching or petting a dog, even their own.

  2. Approach Calmly:

    • Show kids how to approach a dog slowly and quietly, avoiding sudden movements or loud noises.

  3. Respect the Dog’s Space:

    • Dogs need their own space. Children should avoid hugging, climbing on, or invading the dog’s personal area, such as their crate or bed.

    • Teach kids not to disturb the dog while they are eating or chewing on a bone.

    • Help children understand which toys belong to the dog, and discourage them from taking them away from the dog.

  4. Learn Proper Petting:

    • Encourage kids to pet the dog gently on the back or side. Avoid touching sensitive areas like the face, tail, or paws unless the dog is comfortable and well-acclimated.

  5. No Rough Play:

    • Teach children not to chase, pull on ears or tails, or wrestle with the dog. These behaviors can scare or annoy the dog.

  6. Consistency: 

    • Ensure that all family members follow the same rules to create a predictable and safe environment for the dog.


Teaching Dogs to Interact with Kids

  1. Basic Training:

    • Ensure your dog knows basic cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.” These skills can help manage interactions and prevent accidents.

  2. Positive Experiences:

    • Gradually expose your dog to children in a controlled, positive way. Reward calm and relaxed behavior with treats and praise.

  3. Supervised Interactions:

    • Always supervise interactions between kids and dogs. Even the most well-behaved dog and child need guidance to ensure safety.

  4. Safe Zones:

    • Provide your dog with a designated area where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Teach children to respect this space and leave the dog alone when they’re in it.


Recognizing Stress in Dogs

It’s crucial to teach kids how to recognize when a dog is uncomfortable via body language. If a dog shows any of these signs, interactions should stop immediately, and the dog should be given space. Common signs of stress include:

  • Yawning, lip licking, or panting.

  • Turning away or avoiding eye contact.

  • Ears pinned back or tail tucked.

  • Growling, barking, or showing teeth.


Fun and Safe Activities for Kids and Dogs

Engaging in structured activities can help foster a positive bond. Some ideas include:

  • Trick Training: Kids can teach simple tricks like “sit” or “shake.”

  • Fetch: Supervise a game of fetch to ensure both the child and dog play gently.

  • Interactive Toys: Encourage kids to set up puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys to engage the dog. Be sure that your dog has no resource-guarding tendencies first! 

  • Find It: Have the child say “find it” and toss a treat for the dog to find. Kids can practice tossing treats in all directions.


Resources:


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