Managing Children and Dogs Safely Together

Dogs and children can form strong, loving bonds, but as a parent or dog owner, it’s essential to create a safe and positive environment for both. Proper management ensures the relationship is mutually beneficial, reducing stress and preventing potential accidents. In this article, we'll explore how to safely manage children and dogs together, offering practical tips to ensure a harmonious household.

Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family

Breed temperament is a key consideration when selecting a dog, especially in a household with children. While any dog can be trained to coexist peacefully with children, some breeds are naturally more tolerant and patient. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles are often known for being gentle and good-natured with kids. On the other hand, high-energy or more independent breeds, such as Border Collies or Huskies, may require more exercise and mental stimulation, which could be harder to manage when juggling a busy household with children.

If your family’s schedule is already packed, think about how much time you can realistically dedicate to exercising a dog. Some breeds, particularly working breeds, need a lot of physical activity to stay mentally and physically healthy. If your family has limited time, consider a breed with moderate exercise needs. Breeds like Whippets or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, while still needing regular walks and playtime, are less demanding in terms of daily exercise compared to highly active breeds. Take a look through our breed guide section to see information on specific breeds and our article on how to choose the right breed of dog.

Teaching Children to Respect Dogs

One of the most important aspects of managing children and dogs is teaching kids to understand and respect a dog’s space and body language. Children can be unintentionally rough or overly enthusiastic, which may overwhelm or scare a dog. Set clear boundaries for your children about how to approach, touch, and interact with the family dog.

• Respectful Touching: Teach your children to pet dogs gently, avoiding sensitive areas like the face, tail, or paws unless the dog is comfortable with that.

• No Rough Play: Pulling ears or tails, hugging too tightly, or climbing on a dog can frighten or hurt them. Children should know that dogs need to be treated kindly, just like any family member.

• Understanding Body Language: Teaching children to recognise a dog’s signs of discomfort is essential for keeping everyone safe. If a dog growls, bares its teeth, or stiffens its body, it’s a clear sign that the dog feels anxious or threatened and needs space. Rather than scolding the dog for these behaviours, focus on identifying what’s causing the discomfort and adjusting the situation to help them feel more at ease. Punishing a dog for showing these early warning signs can lead to them skipping these cues altogether in the future, making them more likely to bite without any prior warning.

• Respect meal and rest times: Children must learn not to disturb dogs while they’re eating or sleeping. Dogs can be more protective or startled when they are interrupted during these times. This can help prevent resource-guarding behaviour and ensures the dog feels secure.

• Involvement in care: Depending on the child’s age, encourage them to help in appropriate dog care tasks, such as filling the water bowl or giving treats during training (with adult supervision). This helps foster responsibility and strengthens the child-dog bond.

Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog

Dogs need a retreat where they can relax away from the hustle and bustle of family life, especially when children are around. Establish a designated "safe zone" where your dog can retreat if they feel overwhelmed or need quiet time. This can be a crate, a bed in a quiet room, or a gated-off area.

Make sure children understand that this space is off-limits to them. Dogs are less likely to react defensively if they have a place where they feel secure and can escape the commotion. The goal is to provide a haven where your dog can rest without the risk of being bothered by curious little hands. A dog that knows it has a safe space is far less likely to become stressed or act out. I recommend creating a ‘gated community’ in the home by using stair gates to block access to specific areas. In my house, the utility room has a gate where the dogs can stay after walks to dry off, and they have a secure space under the stairs, which can be blocked off from visiting children or noisy guests.

Supervise Interactions at All Times

Supervision is key when dogs and children are interacting, especially for young children who may not fully understand boundaries yet. Always monitor their interactions, particularly during the early stages when both the dog and child are still learning how to behave around each other. Even the most tolerant dogs may become agitated if they’re consistently poked or prodded.

Until your child is old enough to responsibly engage with the dog without supervision, make sure you or another adult is present. If the situation starts to look stressful for the dog, separate them and give both parties some time to calm down.

Avoiding Stress for Both Dog and Child

Life with children is often hectic, and it’s easy for the family dog to become overwhelmed. Whether it’s loud noises, too many people, or constant attention, stress can build up over time, leading to behaviour issues.

One way to reduce stress is by establishing a routine. Dogs thrive on consistency, so try to maintain regular feeding, exercise, and playtimes. This not only helps the dog feel secure but also teaches the children the importance of structure. Additionally, make sure your dog gets some time for calm, stress-free activities like walks in quiet areas or mental stimulation with puzzle toys.

Why Dogs Bite and How to Prevent It

It’s important to remember that dogs generally only bite as a last resort. Biting is usually the result of feeling threatened, cornered, or in pain. This is why having a safe space and teaching children proper respect for a dog’s boundaries is so crucial.

By ensuring your dog has a way to escape or remove themselves from uncomfortable situations, and teaching children how to engage appropriately with dogs, you can significantly reduce the risk of any incidents. Always make sure that children are gentle and respectful, and never force a dog to interact if they’re showing signs of wanting to be left alone.

Managing children and dogs together safely requires clear boundaries, proper training, and a lot of patience. By choosing the right breed for your family’s lifestyle, teaching your children to respect your dog’s needs, and providing your dog with a safe space, you can foster a loving and secure environment for everyone. Remember, with the right approach, your dog and children can build a strong and positive relationship that benefits the whole family.