Dog Problems: Dogs & Kids

Part of: The Most Common Dog Problems.

Most problems with dogs and kids are predictable and occur as a result of poor socialisation with children and/or rough handling especially around food or sleeping areas.  Children look, move, smell and act differently to adults and may unknowingly encroach on a dog’s space, move erratically, make strange noises or unintentionally hurt the dog.  Problems can generally be prevented if you:

1. Desensitise your dog to grabbing hands.  Start by gently taking hold of your dogs collar or neck fur or tail and giving him a little treat.  Slowly increase the strength and length of your grabs & hugs – reward consistently.  We are not trying to punish the dog but to teach him that it’s ok to be grabbed & hugged – there are rewards for patience!
   
2. Reward your dog for ignoring fast motion and screams and giggles. This is where your basic training will help – don’t allow your dog to chase and jump on children.  If your dog does not respond , physically separate.  Sometimes an audio tape of children playing can help to desensitise a dog to the loud sounds of play.
   
3. Do not encourage or play rough wrestling games with your dog and certainly do not allow children to play these games.  All games should be directed on toys, never arms or legs.
   
4. Teach your dog to swap and share food, toys & treats rather than ‘resource guard’ e.g. growl if someone approaches his food bowl while eating.  Although dogs deserve peace when they eat, they must also learn to tolerate the presence of people including children as this could occur at any time in a family situation.   See ‘Food Guarding and Possessive Behaviour’ Handout.
   
5. Don’t punish growling but DO take notice of the circumstances in which it occurs or you may only achieve in eliminating your dog’s warning but not his fear – resulting in a more dangerous dog.  The dog is saying to you or your child “I’m not happy about this situation, I don’t want to bite you but I will if I have to”.  Now, you must take time to retrain a different emotional response by reassociating the unpleasant situation with a more positive experience.
   
6. Under supervision make certain your dog allows you and your child to approach his sleeping area to have a gentle pat and treat.  Although it is important for your dog to have a “safety zone” there may be time when your child or someone else’s approaches this area and your dog should be able to cope.

S.E.E. – problems that may arise and most will be prevented.

Supervise – never leave children and dogs alone together – for the safety of both.  It is not fair to expect a dog to accept the torments that small children may unintentionally apply nor to put your child at risk from a dog who may retaliate to such treatment or who may play overly aggressively with a child.

Educate – young children about correct behaviour around dogs and involve them in basic training exercises.  Educate your dog in basic obedience and socialisation.

Escape – routes should always be provided for your dog.  There must be somewhere where he can settle quietly and be left in peace.  The majority of dogs would rather flee then fight.

Remember, most dogs readily accept all members of the family pack it just takes a little training and common sense.