For the Love of Pets: Tips for Childproofing Your Dog

Dogs and children can be a great combination if your dog has learned how to behave around kids. Some dogs love children and seem to know how to act around them naturally. However, these dogs still need training and socialisation. 

Not all dogs will get along with kids. Some dogs are even afraid of children. Many of these dogs can be trained to behave around kids at a safe distance, but some will never safely interact​ with them. If you have children living in or visiting your home, it is vital to ensure they are always safe. 

Practice Handling Exercises

Having a well-behaved dog is the first step in ensuring the safety of children in your home. Teach your dog basic commands, such as sit and down, and you will be able to teach it how to behave around kids. For example, if its first impulse is to jump up to kiss visitors, teaching it to lie down instead will allow you to direct it to more appropriate behaviour.

 Do Not Allow Your Dog to Jump Up

You may not mind your dog jumping up on you to say hello, but not every visitor to your home will feel the same way. It can be especially dangerous when your visitor is a young child who can be injured if your dog knocks them over.

Your best bet is not to allow your dog to jump up at all. If your dog jumps up when you walk through the door, you can ask it to sit instead. If this does not work, try walking right back out the door when it jumps. Give your dog lots of attention and praise for keeping all four paws on the floor when you walk through the door. The dog will soon learn that it is far more rewarding not to jump up on people.

 Introduce Dogs to Children’s Toys

Think about all the things children’s toys can do. Dolls and stuffed animals often make funny, high-pitched noises. Bikes go whizzing by at a quick pace. Balls get tossed or kicked across the yard. All of these things can make it very tempting for your dog to steal, chew, or chase toys. While this can lead to toys being destroyed, it can also lead to children getting nipped or knocked over. 

Sensitive dogs may be afraid of some children’s toys and then start to associate that fear with children as well.

Introduce your dog to kids’ toys without the kids around. This is when commands such as leave it and stay come in handy. Use these commands to keep your dog from stealing or chasing after toys. Be sure to redirect your dog to appropriate dog toys. If your dog is the nervous type, reward with treats when your dog is around the toys.

Do Not Force a Dog to Accept Children

Some people think that holding a dog so a child can pet it is a good way to introduce dogs and kids. Not true! If a dog is afraid of children, holding it while a child approaches and pets it can be a terrifying experience. A dog who is afraid can become aggressive and growl, snap or bite in an effort to escape from the object of its fears—in this case, children. Instead allow your dog as much time as it needs to get comfortable around kids, and give it the chance to approach its own terms.

Keep It Positive

The best way to build a good relationship between your dog and children is to use positive reinforcement. When your dog is behaving well around children, be sure to give it lots of praise, treats, and attention. Your dog will learn that good thing happen whenever kids are around. Soon it’ll be happily seeking out children and keeping on its best behaviour.

 Children Rules

Dogs are not the only ones who need training. Children also need to be given rules about how to behave around your dog. Be sure any child who enters your home knows the following:

• Pet dogs gently.
• Attention should not be forced on the dog.
• The dog’s crate is off-limits.
• Do not approach the dog while it is eating or chewing a bone.
• Leave the dog alone while it is sleeping.
• Make sure an adult is around when the dog is in the room. Children should never, ever be left unattended with a dog.

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