Dogs and Kids: Is Your Home Equipped?

Kids and dogs, they go together like peanut butter and jelly.  But this does not mean that your children should be allowed to stomp, accost, or otherwise treat your dog like a jungle gym.  Teaching mutual respect goes two ways--your children MUST learn to leave the dog alone at certain times: Your dog MUST learn that getting up to leave when he/she is overwhelmed, is an acceptable plan.  Showing children how to be gentle, and not invade the personal space of your canine friend, will help them grow into best friends, and avoid a potential bite.

In this weird time of Self-Quarantine we live in right now, I have seen the purchase and adoption of puppies, and grown dogs sky-rocket (this creates another anxiety-inducing problem in my Trainer-Brain, but we’ll talk about that another time).

 

Some dogs seem to have a built-in tolerance for all of the silliness that kids can bring.  But there are those out there, who just are not programmed this way. Regardless of the personality type your dog is, the following questions are geared towards helping create an environment where both your children, and your dog can feel safe, and respected in their body space.

Does your dog have a place to go, where the kids are not allowed ?  Yes No

Where is this located?____________________________________________

Does your dog have a bed/mat in each room that are NO Kid Zones?   Yes No

If “no” then create some.  Only having ‘his crate’ is not enough.

Where does your dog eat?________________________________________

Do your children understand how to touch/handle a dog?

Do they know the “NO Touch” places on your dog?

Ears

Eyes

Mouth

Tail

Anus

Genitals

Are there shared responsibilities for your children for the dog?  I.e. Do they help with feeding or cleaning up after the dog? Yes  No

Times you should leave the dog alone:

Eating

Sleeping

On his/her mat (no kid zone) or in his/her crate

Chewing a bone (these should only be provided to your dog while in his/her          crate, with the door closed securely)

Things to avoid:

Taking items directly out of the dog’s mouth.  We will work on this, but very young kids have a tendency to be grabby, and some dogs do not take to this well.  Teaching the dog to Trade for a treat, or a desired toy, can be a great way to help him relax about this.

Putting the dog in a situation known to be a stressor.  If a lot of activity, or loud playing causes your dog to make poor choices, you have to make some for    him/her: Putting the dog in another room, or in to the crate (no kid zone) when you cannot keep eyes, or hands on the situation can alleviate stress, and keep all involved safe.

Leaving the dog unsupervised with the kids.  No matter how tolerant your dog may be, there is too much of a chance for something to happen when very young children are involved. If you must leave, take the dog, or the kid with you.  Puppies are unpredictable sometimes, as are kids. 

Allowing the kids to “ride” the dog, or to climb on top of him when he is on his bed.  Yes, I am well aware that there really are dogs out there that will tolerate literally anything that a child will do to it... 

That does not mean that every dog will put up with this treatment.  Supervising your kids with the dog, and watching for signs of stress, can avoid gnarly situations.  Turning their head away, licking their lips, tucking the head, exposing their teeth, leaning away from that “hug,” or even growling, are ways your dog may be trying to communicate that they Need Your Help to get away from the situation.  

Dogs and Puppies also need individual time.  Making time to work with the pup when the children are not present is just as important as teaching him/her to work with the kids.  Puppies especially do not have good focus; the distraction of the children may interfere with learning at first. They will get better, as they grasp the subjects, but sneak in that training time.

That being said, always having a pocketful of snacks for the canine is a great way to enforce the sort of behavior you actually want to see when they are together.  If you catch the pup chewing on his own toy, instead of your toddlers, give him a snack. When you find the pup just hanging out with the kids and not treating them like a WWE match, snack time!

Rewarding things you want to see, and redirecting what you don’t, helps your pup make better choices.  It is OK to put the dog behind a gate, or in his kennel if you need a break. Your leash can also be a good way to help control the situation.  The goal is Safety, not Lockdown. 

 

I like to see a new dog, or a new puppy, as a furry two-year old:  You wouldn’t get mad at a two year old kid for making mistakes he isn’t aware of being “wrong.”  You’d either find something else for him to do, or stop him from killing himself, and point him off in a safer direction.

 “Nooooo no, Buddy...How about you let me have the saw blade--Where the bloomin’ hell did you even find that dude?...yeah, I know it’s cool.  But here, how about we check out this box of crayons instead?”  Same thing applies to having a puppy, or a new dog, around your children.

And lastly, please do not hesitate to contact that breeder, or call the rescue if things are not what you expected, or can handle.  It is literally Their Job to help those dogs/puppies find a suitable home that will be there for the life of the dog.  If you got your pup from a breeder or a rescue who won’t return your calls, or won’t offer the help you are seeking, start calling around.  Don’t feel like you are “Stuck” with a dog you and your household can’t handle. That is bad news for everyone. Sometimes, it just isn’t a good fit.  And Good Dog people know this. We will not judge you. We are here to help. 

Responsible breeders, and rescues, usually have a Return Clause as part of their purchase/adoption contracts.  Stating that no matter what the age, or circumstance, you can contact them and they Will take the animal back. No, it doesn’t mean you Gave Up.  It means you are enough of an adult to recognize that your family, and the dog, deserve a situation that Fits. That’s all.