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References: How To Correctly Approach & Greet A New Dog: Parents Teach Your Kids, Sara Ondrako (YouTube) / Dog Bite Prevention For Kids - Professional Dog Training Tips, McCann Dog Training (YouTube) / Dr. Sophia Yin (drsophiayin.com)
There are many benefits of having a dog in a home with children; however, it’s important to make sure that both your dog and your children have been trained to respect one another. Dogs and humans speak very different languages, so we’ll focus this article on teaching kids how to properly interact with dogs.
Children of all ages need to be taught to respect any dog that they may meet, regardless of the dog’s size or known temperament. Even good dogs can react in a negative way if they feel threatened. Start by trying to think of what your dog would not like and teach your kids not to do those things. Watching some videos together with your children can also be educational for the whole family.
First, kids need to learn to keep their hands and their bodies to themselves. Kids should never tug on a dogs fur, tail, or ears, nor try to sit on or climb on a dog. This type of behavior is completely unacceptable. It’s important to approach a dog slowly and calmly, so they don’t get startled, always watching the dog’s body language for any sign of discomfort or fear. Children learn best by example, so demonstrate proper interactions by having your kids watch you care for your dog. For example, show them how to gently scratch a dog under the chin, to put food in their bowl and then walk away, to never chase after a dog who is walking away from you, and so on.
Dogs sure look cute and cuddly, but while kids may think they are showing affection by kissing and hugging your dog, dogs can actually be very frightened by this behavior. It can make them feel trapped or threatened, and they are likely to interpret the contact as a domineering threat. You may think it’s adorable when your child hugs the dog, but your dog definitely does not think it’s cute. It is scary! Your dog needs to be able to easily move away if they want to, especially if they’re feeling agitated. You never want a dog to feel cornered or confined.
Just like people, each dog is different in what they will and will not tolerate. Even if your dog tolerates certain undesired attention from the kids, don’t force them to be in uncomfortable situations. Set healthy boundaries and teach your children to respect them.
Another important rule is to let the dog come to you. If they don’t, or if they get up and walk away when you approach, it means they aren’t interested in interacting. Leave them alone. It’s also very important to leave dogs alone when they’re resting or sleeping. Just like humans, dogs require space and privacy.
Never go near a dog while they’re eating. Give your dog lots of space while they are eating or have treats or chews of any kind. Hovering around or staring at a dog while they are eating may make them feel uneasy or protective of their food. If possible, it is a good idea to have the kids in a different room while your dog enjoys their snack.
Help your children understand that dogs like to play in their own ways, and roughhousing or screaming are not acceptable ways to play with a dog. Teach them about dogs natural instincts, such as chasing things. Throwing a ball for your dog is a great way for kids to play. It’s important to allow the dog to bring the ball back to them, however, and they should never try to take anything from a dogs mouth or chase them to get it.
Of course, the number one thing parents need to do to help make interactions between their kids and their dog as safe as possible is to always provide direct supervision. If you’re doing something that requires your focus, take a moment to separate the dog and child, perhaps by crating your dog or gating them off in another room. It is critical that an adult is always present to supervise and to help the dog or the child at any given moment. This may not always be convenient, but it just takes one second for things to go wrong and someone to get hurt.
Whether you have a dog in your home or not, it can be an exciting event for children to meet new dogs on the street! Children should always ask their parents for permission to meet a dog first, then ask the owner of the dog if it would be alright. All dogs are different and this new dog might not be as fond of kids as your family pet is, so wait to get the owner’s approval before approaching the dog. Just because a dog looks friendly doesn’t mean that they are interested in meeting.
As we discussed earlier, it’s important to let the dog come to you. Your child can squat down and hold out an open palm or a closed fist just close enough to let the dog come over and sniff them. Once the dog shows interest in interacting and seems friendly, give it a little scratch under the chin. Approaching dogs from above by petting them on the head or standing over them can be scary because it impedes their vision and might make them feel threatened. Approaching a dog from the side where they can see you is best. It’s important to note, too, that even making direct eye contact with a dog can put them on edge, and staring a strange dog in the eyes is very likely to be perceived as a threat. Pay close attention to the dog’s body language and be prepared to have your child back away if they stiffen up, lock eyes, show their teeth or growl.
If the new dog doesn’t come over to your child, it probably means that they don’t want to be pet… so, don’t pet them. You wouldn’t want someone touching you without permission, and dogs deserve that same respect. Kids should learn to be cautious, to never put their face right in the face of any dog, and, as always, be closely supervised by a parent.
