Dogs and children: safe, respectful interactions
What's going on
Kids and dogs share something beautiful: short attention spans, big feelings, and an enormous capacity for love. But kids move in ways that scare dogs — sudden, loud, low-to-the-ground, face-first — and dogs communicate in ways kids don't naturally read. So the adult is the translator. Always.
We say this gently: most serious dog bites to children happen at home, with a dog the family knows well. That's not because those dogs are 'bad.' It's because warning signs were missed. Once you can read those signs, the risk drops dramatically.
What to try
Active supervision, every single time
Active means you are watching the interaction — not the TV, not your phone, not the laundry. If you can't actively supervise, your dog goes behind a gate or in their crate with a chew, and your kid plays elsewhere. This isn't punishment. It's setup for success.
Teach kids three rules
- Ask before petting. Even with their own dog. The dog gets to vote.
- Pet on the shoulder or chest, not the head. Hand-over-the-head is scary for many dogs.
- Leave the dog alone when the dog is eating, chewing, sleeping, or in their bed. Always.
Build a kid-free zone
Every dog should have one place — a crate, a bed in a quiet corner behind a gate, a back room — where children are not allowed. Period. When the dog goes there, they get peace. That single safety valve prevents enormous amounts of trouble.
If you can't actively supervise, separate. That's not punishment — it's a setup for success.
New baby coming home
Start six to eight weeks before the due date. Play baby cries on a speaker at low volume while the dog gets a chew. Practice the new walking routine. Teach the dog to settle on a mat next to a chair where you'll feed the baby. Family Paws Parent Education has free, excellent video resources on exactly this — see the Watch & Learn section below.
What to avoid
- No hugging, lying on, climbing on, or 'riding' the dog. Ever.
- No taking food, toys, or bones away from a dog — even to 'show them who's boss.' Trade up instead.
- No waking a sleeping dog by touch. Use voice from a few feet away.
- No face-to-face kissing or staring contests, especially with a new or anxious dog.
When to ask for help
If your dog growls, snaps, or shows whale eye (the whites of the eyes showing) around your child, please reach out the same week. A growl is information — a polite warning that the dog needs space. Punishing the growl removes the warning, not the discomfort. Work with a Family Paws Licensed Educator, a Fear Free trainer, or an IAABC consultant to make a real plan.
Watch & learn
A few curated videos from trainers we trust. Click any thumbnail to play.
