How to Teach Your Children to Behave Around Dogs

People often assume that dogs and children naturally get along but some dog breeds have less patience and tolerance than others. If you want to have harmony between your human children and your canine children then teach your kids how to behave around dogs. Following these tips can prevent your dog from becoming vicious and aggressive towards your children.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Children
• Crate
• Toys
• Supervision
• Boundaries

1. Supervision:
   
   A dog should never be left alone with a child who is under the age of five. A small child could unintentionally challenge or injure the dog, and tragedy could strike as a result.

2. Boundaries:
   
   Make sure your dog has a place of his own. This could be the yard, a crate, his bed, or even a room in the house. Teach your children not to bother the dog when he is in his personal space.

3. Protection From Other Children:
   
   Make sure the neighborhood children cannot gain access to your dog if he is left outside in a fenced yard. Some kids might tease the dog or even throw things at him, which gives them a sense of power. This inevitably teaches the dog to dislike children and may result in the dog biting your child.

4. Behavior Modification:
   
   If you find your dog does not like your children you will have to make a decision as to whether or not that dog is right for your family. But first try teaching your children how to act around the dog. For example, children often make sudden movements and scream loudly; this could easily frighten the dog, so tell your children to modify their behavior when they are near the dog. Explain how it frightens the dog and ask them to play more quietly if the dog is around.

5. Privacy:
   
   Sometimes a dog will just want to get up and remove himself from the situation if he cannot handle the children's boisterous behavior, so make sure you provide access to your dog's private area at all times. If he has a crate, leave the door open so he can go in and out freely, and make sure the crate is kept in a separate area away from the children.

6. Gentle Petting:
   
   Children often do not understand how their touch might hurt the dog, so teach your children to pet your dog gently and not to squeeze him around the neck. Small children often hit dogs on the head thinking they are petting him. Show your children how it should be done and ask them to copy your behavior.

7. Food:
   
   Dogs are often very territorial of their food, so it is a good idea to make sure your children know not to touch the dog while he is eating. Also teach them not to take the dog's food away from him while he is eating. Some children are curious about the food the dog is eating and will want to see what it is or even eat it themselves, so make sure you let them know that it is the dog's food and not theirs. Show them where their food is and give them a snack so they do not get jealous when the dog is eating.

8. Games:
   
   Make sure your children do not play tug-of-war with the dog. They will often lose and it teaches the dog that he is dominant over the children. Also a dog that tugs on any item will think he can grab anything - including the children's toys or limbs.

Tips & Warnings

• If all of the above fails and you think your children are in danger when around the dog, then consult with a professional trainer or consider re-homing your dog.
• Make sure your dog is up to date on his shots.
• If your child is bitten or attacked by your dog, make sure you seek medical advice immediately.

[sherryeam]

on 4/18/2009 It's a ongoing process to teach children to behave around dogs. Our pups are so good and sweet with our daughter. We have to constantly work with her on not jumping around by them, petting gently. Good article, nice to be able to see an article on the subject. thanks