Dogs love children. They play fetch, chase balls, and even do tricks. But most dogs aren’t trained enough to interact with kids. An untrained dog will find it difficult to play with your children.
There are many reasons why dogs may not play with your children. Some dogs don’t enjoy playing with kids.
Others may not understand how to play, and might accidentally end up hurting them.
There are some simple solutions to ensure your dog plays with your kids. With these easy steps, you can train your dog to safely play with children.
Command Training
Training your dog is crucial for making them more child-friendly. Dogs cannot be childproofed enough to play with your children until they are trained to obey the basic commands like sit, down, and release.
Command training allows you to exercise control and communicate with your animal.
Look for Critter Tips online or find dog training books, to learn how to train your dog. Training will also teach you how to interpret your dog’s emotions.
Once you have mastered the basics, it is possible to teach your dog how to interact with children.
You can train your dog to calm down and not pull its tail. You can get more tips about this on sites.
Socialize Your Puppy
There are some things that are universal for dog owners, which can assist them in taking care of their dogs.
You need to apply that knowledge from the very first moment you decide to bring that puppy home.
Puppies go through a crucial development period between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks.
Introduce them to people and situations during this period and they will be more open to learning to live with and accept others. Introduce your puppy to children positively if you get a new puppy.
Your pup should be able to interact with children of different ages and situations.
Children should be gentle and well-behaved around dogs. Your dog will associate positive feelings with children if it has had good experiences with them.
Your adult dog should interact with your children. It would be better if you did it slowly and gently.
It would help if you praise your dog and give them treats for gentle behavior.
Slowly Introduce Your Dog to Your Children
You need to slowly introduce your dog to your children. Children are louder, more unpredictable, and often aggressive than adults. In addition, children have a distinct smell.
Dogs can be overwhelmed when confronted with kids for the first time. Some dog breeds are simply better with children, so keep that in mind if you plan on adopting one.
It is important to allow your dog to play with children until they feel comfortable around them.
Then, begin slowly: Invite friends who have well-behaved children to watch and see what happens.
If all goes well, your dog can be taken to the park with other younger, more boisterous children.
The owner must control each interaction and correct bad behavior (excitement, growling, and barking), and reward the good.
Train Your Dog When To Keep Distance
Even the best-behaved child can sometimes get into trouble by grabbing a dog’s tail or wrapping their arms around its neck.
So before your dog ends up hurting your child, be prepared for such occurrences.
You can praise your dog and give it treats. Hold its paws, touch its ears, and hug them.
If your dog is anxious or afraid, it is best to keep them away from children and other pets.
Set a Schedule
Set a schedule for your dog’s feeding and exercise times. Children can disrupt this doggy routine since they are not old enough to understand.
Owners need to make sure children do not disrupt their dog’s strict schedule. It will help your dog to follow your walking and feeding schedules.
Dogs love routines and exercise. This is especially important when they are adjusting to living with children.
Teach Your Child to Act Around Dogs
Parents must teach their children how to approach a pet dog and play with them from a young age. A childproofed dog means a dog that can be trusted around children.
The rule is that a child should not do anything you wouldn’t allow another child to do to a dog or puppy.
If your kids learn to behave properly, it will be natural for your kids and dogs to have a great bond.
Don’t Leave Your Child and Dog Alone
Even a fully trained dog should not be left alone with a child, even if it is childproofed.
Because it is impossible for anyone to predict how a toddler, infant, or dog will behave, accidents are possible.
A crate is a good option for parents who aren’t present in the same room with their children.
However, crate doors are not allowed to be opened by children in rooms. It’s not a punishment for the dog. It’s a safe space.
This safety procedure allows you to set only good memories for the kids in your dog’s mind.
Cause if no accident happens, kids and dogs like each other all the time, and that’s how they will learn to play and have fun.
Make Sure Your Dog Doesn’t Steal or Destroy Your Children’s Toys
Consider all the possibilities that toys for children can make. Stuffed animals and dolls often make high-pitched, funny noises.
Bikes move at a rapid pace. The yard is filled with balls that are tossed and kicked around.
These things can lead to your dog being tempted to steal, chew or chase toys.
This can result in damaged toys, but it can also cause children to be nipped or knocked to the ground.
Some toys may scare sensitive dogs and associate their fear with other children’s toys.
You can introduce your dog to toys for children without having the children around. These commands, such as leave the item and Stay, are very useful.
These commands will prevent your dog from stealing toys or following after them.
Make sure your dog is directed to the appropriate toys. Reward your nervous dog with treats if they are around toys.
When to Seek Help and When to Give Up
Dog owners should stay alert for signs of aggression, such as low growls and wide-eyed stares.
If you see them, seek professional help. Aggressive behavior can be managed, but it requires experience and can worsen if left untreated.
Remember that not all dogs are suitable for children. Be confident in your instincts, and avoid unnecessary risk.
The consequences of mismatches between dog and child can be devastating.
Conclusion
While it is tempting to try and make your dog your child’s best friend, tt can be difficult to ensure that your pet wouldn’t hurt your children.
Don’t assume that your kids are always safe from your dog’s good behavior. When children are present, reward your dog for being polite.
Encourage your children to participate in the care of your dog and encourage them to play with you.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
It’s true, not all dogs innately understand how to engage with kids, and the lack of proper training can lead to unintended mishaps.The idea of gradual introduction to children, emphasizing controlled environments and rewarding good behavior, is key.