We all would like our children to grow up with fond memories of sharing their childhood with the family dog. I remember sharing secrets and stories, and playing dress-up with my childhood dog, these are memories that will stay with me a lifetime. To ensure that your children have a successful bond with the family dog it is important to allow your dog his/her own space and to have some time out from the children.

1.      Never leave a dog alone with a child under the age of five years old. Young children may unintentionally injure or challenge the dog, and the results could be tragic.

2.      Dogs and children should be separated at snack time. Mixing children/dogs and food can result in food aggressive behavior. A child may want to try the dog’s cookie and be injured while trying to get it. Or the dog may decide it is acceptable to take the child’s food from them. Either way this could spell T.R.O.U.B.L.E. Your child should be taught never to approach or bother a dog while they are eating.

3.      If your dog has access to a fenced yard, you need to make sure that neighborhood children can not tease or harass the dog through the fence. Children can learn that by teasing a dog gives them a feeling of power tinged with the possibility of danger and the dog will learn to hate children.

4.      Give your dog a place/retreat to call his own. Whether it is a crate in a room, or a pen in the back yard, allow your dog to have a retreat to get away from children. When your dog is in his retreat, you must teach your children never to approach the dog. This will allow your dog to feel it has a safe place to get away from the excitement.

5.      Never play tug-of-war with a dog that has access to children. A dog that learns to grab and tug on any item, may soon that anything he grabs is his, even if  it’s a child’s toy, clothing, or appendage.

6.      When your dog is sleeping, teach your child to call out his/her name to wake them before approaching. Running up to or jumping on a sleeping dog could startle the dog, causing him/her to react by biting.

7.      Be aware of what children do that dogs are not comfortable with. High pitched screams, running around, jumping over, pulling on the ears or tail, hitting or squeezing the dog are just some of the behaviors that will get a child bit by a dog.

Over 420,000 children a year are seen for medical treatment after being bitten by a dog and an untold number of these dogs are euthanized for their actions. If you are unsure about your dog/child interaction, please be proactive and consult with a professional animal behaviorist or dog trainer. Don’t wait until it is too late.