How to Train Your Dog to Safely Interact With Kids
Safe interactions between kids and dogs are essential for every dog-loving parent. Many people are familiar with dog bite prevention and understand the importance of not leaving young children alone with dogs. It's possible you've already child-proofed your dog. While we hope all children learn to behave appropriately around dogs, this isn't always the case; some don't have a dog at home, lack sufficient interaction, or simply don't adhere to the rules.
Many children are naturally drawn to dogs. Unfortunately, without the right guidance, kids may not know how to behave safely. Dog owners can learn how to train their dogs to interact with kids properly.
Ask Children to Approach Slowly
When walking your dog on a leash and you encounter children, remind them never to approach a dog without permission. They should seek consent from a parent first and then the dog's owner. Educate them to avoid running toward a dog and to approach slowly, respecting the dog's personal space. Allow the dog to move partway towards the children, who can extend the back of their closed hand toward the dog, but not directly in its face. Allow the dog to sniff the child. It's helpful to stoop to the dog's level if needed, especially with smaller dogs.
Know When to Say No
If a child asks, it's acceptable to refuse their request to pet your dog. They should learn to avoid approaching dogs that appear anxious, stressed, or fearful. These conditions can often be identified through appeasement gestures or reading body language. Children should avoid approaching dogs while they are eating, chewing on a treat or toy, or sleeping, as they could startle awake.
Teach Proper Petting
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to teach children (whether your own or a visitor) how to pet your dog properly. Start by softly petting the dog's chin or chest. Gentle scratching is acceptable but avoid touching the dog's face and head. If the dog tolerates soft petting or scratching of the chin and chest, demonstrate to the child how to gently pet or scratch the neck and back, always moving in the direction of the fur.
Make sure the petting stops if the dog backs away, snaps, growls, or demonstrates appeasement gestures or fearful body language.
Enforce Good Behavior Around Dogs
Whether you are a new dog owner or a seasoned one, it's always helpful to remember some good general rules that you can practice to keep your dog and children safe. If you'll have kids meeting your dog for the first time, it can be beneficial to go over some ground rules prior to the meeting. Making sure everyone is clear on the rules will help you safely enforce them. Remove your dog from a situation that is not safe.
Never pull a dog's ears or tail.
Don't grab on a dog's feet.
Avoid hugging dogs. This makes many dogs uncomfortable. If a dog feels threatened enough to bite, your head is dangerously close (the "bite zone").
Avoid putting your face close to a dog's face. This may invade the dog's personal space.
Avoid running away from dogs. This may evoke a predatory response. Don't forget, most dogs have some predatory instinct (some more than others).
Avoid yelling or screaming around dogs. Excessive noise can scare or excite some dogs and may just annoy others.
Problems and Proofing Behavior
A common problem for dog owners is to expect a dog to automatically accept children. With proper training and patience, this can likely be achieved, but for everyone's health and safety, do not rush it.
Make sure the rules are clear with the kids so they don't surprise the dog or catch it off guard. Since many dogs are food motivated, be clear about designated locations for kids to eat and how to eat around their dog. Kids are naturally lower to the ground, so it can be tempting for a dog to have food near its level. A dog may innocently try to grab food but can scare kids when it does so.
If your dog does not respond well to children (and they cannot be avoided), it may be worth working with a canine behavioral specialist. These professionals can help come up with a customized action plan that can help make peace between your dog and the children. While that plan is in place, never leave your dog alone with kids.
