How to train a dog to interact safely with children? Safe interaction between children and dogs is what every dog-loving parent wants.
You probably know all about dog bite prevention. You know it’s best not to leave young children and dogs alone. You may even have childproofed your dog. While you can hope that every child should learn how to get along with dogs, this is not always the case. Some people don’t have a dog at home, probably don’t have a lot of interaction, or just don’t follow the rules. Many children are naturally attracted to dogs. Without the proper tools, children may not know how to do the right thing to keep themselves safe.
Dog owners can learn to train their dogs to protect children. Let the child approach slowly When you are out walking the dog on a leash, if you see a child, remind them not to approach the dog without permission. They should always ask the parents first, then the dog’s owner. You can teach them not to run towards the dog and to approach slowly. No one should invade a dog’s personal space. Let the dog approach the children, and they can gently stretch the back of their closed hand toward the dog, but not in the dog’s face. Let the dog smell the child. Bend down to dog level (mostly smaller dogs) if needed. Know when to say no If your child asks, don’t let them pet your dog. They should learn to never approach a dog that is showing anxiety, stress or fear. You can usually tell by looking for appeasement gestures or reading body language. Children should avoid approaching the dog when it eats or chews treats or toys. Sleeping dogs should be avoided as they may wake up startled.
Teaching proper petting As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to teach your child (your own or a visitor) the proper way to pet your dog. Begin by gently stroking the dog’s chin or chest. Gentle scratching is fine, but avoid putting your hands on the dog’s face and head. If stroking/scratching the jaw/chest is tolerated, show your child that you can gently stroke or scratch the neck and back. Go in the direction of the fur. Make sure to stop petting if the dog backs away, bites, growls, or displays terrible body language. Practicing Good Behavior Whether you’re a new dog owner or a seasoned dog owner, it’s always helpful to remember some good general rules that you can practice to keep your dog and your kids safe. If you are letting your child meet your dog for the first time, it may be helpful to know some ground rules before the meeting.
Making sure everyone is clear about the rules will help you enforce them safely. Remove your dog from unsafe conditions.
- Never pull the dog’s ears or tail.
- Don’t grab the dog’s feet.
- Avoid hugging the dog. This makes many dogs uncomfortable. If a dog feels threatened to bite, your head is dangerously close (“bite zone”).
- Avoid putting your face close to the dog’s face. This can invade the dog’s personal space.
- Avoid keeping away from dogs. This can provoke a predatory response. Don’t forget that most dogs have some predatory instincts (some more than others).
- Avoid yelling or screaming around the dog. Excessive noise can scare or irritate some dogs and may only annoy other dogs. Frequently Asked Questions A common problem with dog owners is the expectation that the dog will automatically accept the child.
With proper training and patience, this is likely to happen, but for everyone’s health and safety, don’t rush it. Make sure the kids are clear about the rules so they don’t surprise or catch the dog off guard. Since many dogs are food-driven, clearly designate where your child eats and how to eat around the dog. Children are naturally lower off the ground, so it is easy for dogs to eat close to their level. Dogs may naively try to grab food, but doing so can scare children. If your dog does not respond well to children (and cannot be avoided), it may be worth working with a canine behavior specialist. These professionals can help create a customized action plan to help your dog and children live in peace. Once you have this plan in place, never leave your dog alone with children.
