Dogs and small children can be so cute together, especially when they form strong emotional bonds. However, both dogs and kids have minds and emotions of their own; it’s important to teach both of them as early as possible about safe play, so as to decrease the chance of injury.
First Impressions are Important
If you have a dog and are expecting a new baby, you will want to prepare your furry friend for the new addition as much as possible. Get them used to the new sounds, smells, and possible rough touches that will accompany baby’s arrival–this will help to decrease your pup’s anxiety over the changes. Keeping Rover calm around young children will be the goal for the next few years as the kids learn how to properly interact and play with animals. You can learn more about how to prepare your dog for a new baby in our article on the topic here.
When you see a dog walking down the street, teach your child to give the dog and its owner space. Though the chance to pet a dog is exciting, you must instill in your child the importance of asking for permission before approaching and moving slowly around an unfamiliar dog. If your child is still young and does not fully grasp that they should not pull on a dog’s fur or pet it too roughly, it’s best to avoid meeting strange dogs–you never know how they might react.
Kids Need to Understand Safe Pay as Well
Young children have a tendency to be unintentionally rough with animals–they grab at tails, pull at fur and ears, and may hit instead of petting gently. Even before your infant has the ability to willingly interact with your dog, demonstrate proper play. Intentionally make a big deal of petting the dog gently and slowly in front of your baby, and let your dog sniff your hand before petting them. Have your child practice on a stuffed animal–take this opportunity to guide their hands while praising them for being gentle and nice. Watch them closely as they start crawling and walking, and immediately correct any hitting or tugging they do to your dog.
Discourage Jumping and Tugging
In the months before your baby arrives and when they are newborns, it’s a great idea to train your dog not to jump. While you may be able to withstand an excited leap from Rover, they will likely knock your child over once your baby is walking. Putting an end to bad jumping behavior will significantly decrease your child’s chances of getting knocked over by your pup. Additionally, avoid playing games that involve resource-guarding or rough tug-of-war with your dog. Young kids grab everything they can, including your dog’s toys; if you’ve inadvertently taught your dog that it is okay to be possessive with their toys and fight to get them back from you (even in a playful manner), this could pose a danger to your child. Instead, play games like fetch or hide-and-seek that your child could take part in with minimal chance of accidental biting or scratching.
Your dog and child will likely grow up together to be the best of friends; these tips will help make sure they get off on the right foot (or paw)! if you need help training your dog to act appropriately in safe play or adjust to their new situation, call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training. We are here to help you train your dog at all stages of life.
