Dogs and Children

In the clear majority of cases dogs and children co-exist happily together. We are however two different species and parents have a duty to educate their children on the do’s and don’ts of how to behave with a dog whether it is their own family pet or any other dog.

Sadly, we are hearing too many horrific stories of dogs attacking children. People then react AFTER the event and usually the answer is to ban the breed, ban dogs from parks and all public places, keep all dogs on a lead etc.

It is understandable that after any dog attack people react in this way however the attacks keep happening and always blaming the dog is not the answer. The answer MUST lie in educating both the adults AND the children how to behave with ANY dog whether it is their own or not.

Dogs are pack animals with an inner wolf mindset, they are NOT little humans. In a pack environment dogs are taught about hierarchy, and respect for boundaries from a very young age. If you have ever watched the interaction of young puppies in their formative first weeks with their mother and siblings, you will see this in action.

When we bring dogs into our families because we are NOT pack animals we blur or stop altogether the discipline which the dog expects. All dogs NEED rules and boundaries from the pack leader and If they aren’t given these then many dogs make their own. Some temperaments of dog e.g the nervous or fearful need this leadership more than others.

Much though we love our own or dogs in general it’s important to realise they do see life differently to us. Dogs see young children in the same way as they see a puppy so while many dogs are very tolerant of children as they are with puppies it’s not the case with all dogs so it makes sense to EDUCATE our children in some basic safety rules.

Adult Rules

• NEVER leave a dog alone with a child or baby
• Children (under 12 years of age) should not be allowed to walk a dog without adult supervision
• Never allow a young child (under 10 years) to feed a dog unsupervised. (Some dogs can be very protective over food and a small child can easily be seen as a threat to the dogs food supply This is particularly relevant when the dog is under 2years of age and or a rescue dog that MAY have been hungry in the past.)
• Do not allow your child to pull on the dog’s collar to lead it outside –It could snap or bite them
• Never allow a child to discipline or correct a dog’s behaviour
• When visiting friends or family who have a dog Do not allow your child to play in the garden with the dog unsupervised (Young children can unwittingly play far too rough with a dog and SOME dogs cannot take being poked or their tail or ears being pulled so it’s wise to supervise at all times)

Children’s Rules

• Never pat a strange dog even if it’s owner is present
• Never go up to a dog that is sleeping or eating (allow it some space)
• Stay away from a dog that is tied up outside a shop etc.
• Never ever pull a dogs tail or ears Dogs feel pain as well as us!
• If a dog runs at you barking stand completely still and put your hands in your pocket
• Stay away from a dog that has puppies