When my six-year-old daughter was bitten I didn’t blame the dog; I blamed myself. The dog in question was playing with a toy, which my child tried to remove from him to play fetch. You could argue the dog’s owner should have trained their dog to behave around children, the problem is, I was the owner.
The dog was our family pet, but he was fairly new to our household (he had been with us less than two months), so his training was ongoing. Still, in my eyes, this wasn’t where I had failed. I had failed because I hadn’t spent enough time educating my child on how to interact with dogs correctly. If I had, she would have known not to try and take our new pup’s favourite toy from him, especially when he had backed himself into a corner, or at least recognised the signs that he wasn’t happy.
Keep reading if you don’t want to risk your child or dog’s safety. In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to teach a child to behave around dogs, where I went wrong (and what I should have done) as well as advice on how to train your dog to interact with children in a way that builds trust and understanding.
Teaching children how to behave around dogs
1. Always supervise your children around dogs
Some dogs feel nervous around children, while others are natural caregivers. Still, even a cute little pomeranian can be unpredictable when startled or frightened and children aren’t exactly known for being gentle. Never leave your child alone in the same room as a dog, even your own.
2. Teach your child when it’s safe to approach
Dogs can become very defensive over items they consider theirs. This is known as resource guarding. The resource can be anything from food, toys, a place (like a bed or chair), or even a person. Teach your children not to approach a dog if they are eating or carrying an item the dog may consider high value.
3. Always Ask the Owner for Permission First
No one knows a dog better than its owner. Even if a dog looks friendly, it may not be. On the other hand, some dogs are overly friendly and jump up or lick when excited. This can result in a small child being knocked over or accidentally clawed. A quick chat with the owner before interacting with the dog will let you and your child know what to expect.
4. Let the dog Sniff Your Child’s Hand
Once you get the go-ahead, teach your child to approach slowly. The best way for a child to introduce themselves to a dog is to hold out their fist for the dog to sniff the top. After this, allow the dog to choose the next step. If they’re feeling comfortable, they will stand wagging their tail or move in for attention. If however, the dog backs away or tucks their tail between their legs – they are not happy. To be safe, calmly remove your child from the dog’s reach.
5. Teach them to be gentle
Dogs are not cuddly toys, they’re living beings and should be treated with respect. It should go without saying but don’t allow your child to pull a dog’s ears, try to ride on their backs or do anything else you wouldn’t expect them to do to another child. Teach them to pet dogs gently in a calm manner.
6. Don’t allow children to scream or run away from a dog
Loud noises or sudden movements can easily startle a dog or cause them to get too rowdy. This can either result in either a warning bite or more commonly, a child being knocked over by an excited pup.
Similarly, never let your child run away from a dog. Running from a dog triggers their ‘pray’ instinct. Even a dog whose only intent is to play may display unwanted behaviour once the ‘pray’ is caught.
Teaching Dogs to Behave Around Children
1. Understand basic canine behaviour and body language
Unlike humans, dogs can’t communicate when they’re uncomfortable in a given situation but they do show us some clear signs, we just have to learn to recognise them. Observe your dog’s body language in as many situations as possible and you will being to understand what certain behaviours mean. For more detailed information you can speak to a canine behaviourist or dog trainer about canine body language.
2. Teach your dog some basic commands
Basic training like ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Leave’ should be part of every dog’s routine. Not only do they give you more control over your dog when they’re around children, but can also teach your dog self-control. Better yet, teach your child how to correctly use these commands. If they’re old enough, allow them to dispense the treat too. This gives your dog a positive association with children and teaches are to be listened to.
3. Don’t force your dog into a situation where they aren’t comfortable
No one likes being in uncomfortable situations, especially if they’re being forced into it (to this day I can’t hear the word ‘karaoke’ without getting a shudder down my spine). It’s the same for dogs. If you can tell your pet isn’t happy being petted or cuddled – which you should if you followed Step 1 – remove them from the situation or request the child give them some space. Don’t pick them up or hold them in place by the collar. Read the next step to find out why.
4. Always provide an escape route for your dog
Your dog should never feel trapped or backed into a corner. They should always have the option to leave a situation if they are feeling the need for space. At home, if they decide to leave the room allow them to do so without being chased by a small human. When out and about on the lead, ensure children never crowd your dog from every direction. If this happens and you’re finding it difficult to control the situation, just walk away with your dog to give them some breathing room.
5. Reward your dog when children are around
You want your dog to have a positive association with children. If your dog is currently apprehensive around children you’ll want to build their confidence slowly by introducing children to them from a distance. Reward your dog with treats or toys when children are around. As your dog adjusts, get closer to the children until they’re comfortably interacting together. If your dog is already well-behaved around children, reinforce this positive behaviour in the same way.
I hope this advice on how to teach children and dogs to get along well together has been of use to you. With supervision and guidance, your dog can learn to be best friends with any child and any child can learn to treat dogs with the respect they deserve. If you’re having difficulty with any of the techniques above or you are concerned about your child’s safety around dogs, don’t hesitate to contact a professional canine behaviourist or dog trainer.
