A Dog and Child Together? A Good Foundation is Essential
A dog and a child can form a wonderful friendship. Dogs are often playful and protective, while children love the company of a faithful four-legged friend. However, it is important to teach both your child and your dog how to interact with each other in a respectful and safe manner.
In this blog we discuss how to build a strong and harmonious bond between your dog and your child, what behaviors to encourage and how to prevent risks. Are you interested in dog training? Read more in our dog training blog for useful tips.
1. Choose a Dog That Fits Your Family
Not all dog breeds are equally suited to families with small children. Some breeds are known for their patience and playfulness, while others are more isolated or quickly become overstimulated.
Breeds that tend to be good with children:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Beagle
- Border Collie (provided sufficient challenge)
Do you already have a dog? Then it is especially important to look at its personality and needs rather than just the breed. View our dog collection for a wide range of products for your faithful four-legged friend.
2. Teach Your Child How to Handle the Dog
Children do not automatically understand how to approach a dog. Therefore, teach your child these basic rules:
- Approach calmly and respectfully: Do not shout, run or pull at the dog.
- Do not disturb while eating or sleeping: This can cause stress or even aggression.
- Always pay attention to your dog's body language: A wagging tail does not always mean a dog is happy.
- No rough play or wrestling: This can lead to unwanted behavior such as nipping or jumping.
The sooner your child learns how to interact safely with their dog, the better their relationship will be. If you need help training your child to interact with their dog, check out our dog training products for helpful resources.
3. Provide Safe and Positive Interaction
A good relationship between your dog and child is built on positive experiences. Here are some ways to strengthen their bond:
- Joint activities: Let your child help with grooming, such as brushing or playing a feeding game.
- Walking together: This gives both your child and the dog a sense of responsibility and cooperation.
- Supervised playful interactions: Consider calm games of fetch or search games with snacks.
Always stay nearby when your dog and child are playing together, especially with young children. And remember to use the right dog accessories for a comfortable and safe experience.
4. Recognize Stress Signals in Your Dog
Dogs show you in subtle ways when they are uncomfortable. Teach your child (and yourself) to recognize and respect these signals.
Signs of stress in a dog:
- Yawning (without being tired)
- Showing the white of the eye (whale eye)
- Licking lips or sticking out tongue
- Keep tail low or between legs
- Looking away or withdrawing
If you see any of these signs, leave your dog alone for a while and provide a calm environment. Want to learn more about how to improve your dog's behavior? Check out our behavior correction products .
5. Build Trust and Patience
A strong bond between your dog and your child comes with time and patience. Make sure both your dog and your child feel safe and respected.
- Reward your dog when he behaves well around your child.
- Teach your child not to force the dog to interact.
- Provide moments of rest so your dog can retreat when he needs to.
Conclusion: A Strong Bond Starts with Understanding and Respect
A dog and a child can become the best of friends, but this requires guidance, patience and clear rules. By teaching your child how to treat the dog respectfully and by interpreting your dog's signals correctly, you ensure a safe and loving relationship.
Also check out our health and care products for dogs .
