How To Build A Safe Bond Between Dogs And Children

Ensuring safe and positive interactions between dogs and children is essential to fostering a bond between them and preventing accidents. Check out the information below to gain valuable insights and practical tips to create a safe and nurturing environment for both dogs and children. 

5 Types of Supervision

There are five main types of supervision when overseeing an interaction between a dog and a child. You’ll want to aim for active and proactive supervision to create a safe environment for both.

How Kids Should Interact With Dogs

Kids need to understand how they should interact with a dog to prevent any accidents from occurring. Here are some basics to help your child understand:

• Be polite and kind to pets- Teach children to use gentle hands and soft voices around dogs.

• Recognize when a dog is scared or anxious - Help children learn to identify signs of fear or anxiety in dogs, such as cowering, tail tucking, or avoiding eye contact.

• Play appropriate games with a pet such as

  • Fetch

  • Training tricks (rolling over, shaking, etc.)

  • Walking or running with a dog

  • Playing hide and seek 

Always train your dog to associate a child with positive experiences so they’ll be more likely to tolerate a child. 

How Kids Should Not Interact With Dogs

While teaching children proper ways to interact with dogs, it’s also important that they understand how NOT to treat a dog. Helping them know this will help prevent accidents from occurring. Here are some basics to avoid;

• Avoid bothering dogs when they are eating

• Avoid taking dogs' bones or toys

• Avoid putting your face right up to a dog's face

• Avoid bothering animals when they are resting

• Avoid grabbing tails and ears

• Avoid climbing on or trampling dogs

• Avoid hugging, most dogs dislike this

• Avoid hollering or shouting. Use indoor voices instead.

Important Choices To Give Your Dog

Just like people, giving your dog choices is important to ensure a safe home environment. For more information, read this article by Zazie Todd.

The Choice To Be Pet, Or Not

We all love to pet dogs because of their adorable faces and soft fur, but dogs aren't always in the mood for affection. Recognizing when a dog needs space and respecting their boundaries is essential. Don’t worry, they'll let you know when they want attention.

While most people understand the need for close supervision of children and pets, many overlook the signs of anxiety in dogs during interactions with young children. It's crucial to teach kids these signs, as they are most at risk of injury if a dog reacts defensively.

The Choice To Go To A Safe Space

Just like humans, dogs can get overwhelmed. Providing them with a safe place to retreat and relax is important. This could be a crate with a comfortable bed or a dog bed in a quiet room they can access at any time. Ensure the space is large enough for them to stretch out and turn around comfortably.

A Choice To Train, Or Not

Training isn't about forcing your dog to perform or stop certain behaviors. Instead, consider it a way to enrich their lives and help them handle everyday situations.

If your dog loses interest or wanders off, that's okay. They might be tired, distracted, or need better treats. Perhaps the training session was too challenging and needs to be broken down into simpler steps. It's more effective to have several short training sessions (around 5 minutes each) throughout the day rather than one long session where your dog might get bored.

How To Safely Introduce Your Dog To Your New Baby

Introducing your dog to a new baby requires careful planning and gradual adjustments to ensure a smooth and safe transition. Proper preparation can help minimize stress for your dog and foster a positive relationship with the newest family member. For more information, read this article by Victoria Stilwell. 

Prepare Ahead Of Time

Gradually reduce the amount of attention you give your dog throughout the day. Instead of short bursts of attention, provide longer periods of focused interaction, such as playing fetch in the yard or going for a long walk. This approach will help prepare your dog for the inevitable decrease in attention when the baby arrives.

Desensitizing To Sounds and Smells Of A Baby

Introduce Baby Sounds: Play recordings of baby sounds at a low volume, gradually increasing the volume only when your dog remains calm and unstressed.

Simulate Baby Presence: Use a realistic baby doll that moves and makes noise to familiarize your dog with what a real baby will look and sound like. Praise and reward your dog when they behave politely and calmly around the doll.

Exposure to Children: Walk your dog past children at a safe distance, such as near a playground or school. If your dog reacts negatively, consult a professional immediately.

Familiarize with Baby Smells: Bring home an item your baby wore in the hospital to help your dog get used to the baby's scent.

Understanding Your Dog's Behavior

Recognize Warning Signs: Growling is a warning that allows you to address the issue. Do not punish these signals, as this might lead your dog to skip warnings and go straight to aggression.

Monitor for Stress Indicators: Be alert for signs of stress in your dog, such as panting, freezing, or tense body language.

By implementing these practices, you can create a home where dogs and children coexist happily, fostering a bond built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. This not only enhances the lives of your pets and children but also enriches the family dynamic as a whole. 

For further guidance, explore our additional resources such as training and post-adoption resources.