Kids and Dogs: Safe Together

Dogs can make outstanding pets for children and offer friendship, love, emotional support, and companionship.

However, it is crucial to safeguard children from potential harm when they are around dogs. Below, parents are provided with a guide on safely teaching kids to socialize with dogs.

Understanding Dog Behavior 

Teach Respect and Boundaries:

Kids should understand that dogs are like everyone else and have their limits.

It is important to understand that dogs require their belongings and would only sometimes want to be messaged or entertained.

Teach children to watch whether the dog is comfortable; a good sign is when its tail is wagging, its mouth is closed or gently opened, and there is no growling.

Recognize Signs of Stress or Aggression:

Disney’s animal characters help children know when a dog looks angry or annoyed.

They are to teach them that the best thing they should do if a dog exhibits signs of ill temper is to move away and avoid provoking it by teasing it in any way since it may growl, snap, bare its teeth, or stiffen its body.

Safe Interaction Practices

Ask for Permission:

Kids may go too close to any dog they fancy and should be encouraged to ask the owner for permission politely.

Dogs also have their own temperaments and can be fearful or have health issues that make this activity potentially hazardous.

Proper Way to Approach:

The kids should not rush or shout and instead walk slowly near the dogs with their hands by their sides.

The idea is to teach them to stretch out a hand in slow motion to let the dog sniff before touching it.

This enables the dog to become nose acquainted with the child and thus be more comfortable around him/ her.

Gentle Petting:

Teach children how to pat them gently and let the children pet the dogs using their hands in slow motion.

Stay away from the face, ear, tail, and feet, as these are very sensitive body parts. Generally, the appropriate areas for petting are the back and sides of a dog or a cat.

Teaching Commands and Play

No Rough Play:

Children should know that pulling the ears or the tail, hitting, or climbing on it are hostile and can cause the dog to become defensive. Refrain from engaging him in rough or aggressive play.

Use Commands:

Children must learn specific instructions to give to dogs, such as sit, stay, and come. This can also be an entertaining and informative process where the child reinforced by the dog benefits in terms of safety.

Supervision and Responsibility

Supervise All Interactions:

Always ensure that young children are supervised, especially with a dog, even if the dog is friendly.

Supervision helps make sure that if there is any sign of any dangerous possibility, it can be intervened and prevented.

Model Behavior:

This is because children are learners and develop their behavior by emulating what they see their parents do.

Explain how to handle dogs safely and also show appreciation for the animals. It will help you show the children the right type of behavior that they should emulate.

Safety Around Unknown Dogs

Avoid Strange Dogs:

Children are also advised to avoid getting close to unfamiliar dogs, especially those wandering independently.

For instance, if an unfamiliar dog is nearby, children must remain as still as a “tree”; they should not look at the dog or put their hands on their heads or around their necks.

This is quite helpful in avoiding upsetting the dog; this non-threatening posture can be used to prevent the dog from charging.

What to Do if Threatened:

Teach kids what to do when they meet an aggressive dog that looks like it is about to charge at them.

They should remain mobile or slowly retreat without causing any movements or noise that might alert the animals.

If they are attacked, they should roll over, cover their face and neck, and remain still until the animal leaves.

Educating and Empowering

Encourage Learning:

Have children read about dogs from books and videos, or even take them to animal shelters to learn more about dogs.

Education on canine concerns can improve the treatment and respect for animals among children.

Positive Reinforcement:

Encourage children to be safe around dogs or to use good manners when dealing with the dogs. Such positive reactions will prompt them to continue embracing safe practices and being around animals.

For this purpose, educating children about how they should interact with dogs and supervising them while they are learning can be taught and practiced.

Unfortunately, children are at high risk of dog bites, and proper supervision and education are important steps to prevent them.

If your child is bitten by a dog, you should know the important steps to take and understand your legal rights. 

Parents can help their kids discover and avoid reacting to dogs incorrectly, and all household members will be safe and happy.

By teaching children to act responsibly around dogs, they will avoid mishaps and learn to be attuned to animals’ needs and welfare.