Teaching kids how to behave around dogs

Most children love animals - and dogs especially. Teaching children how to behave around dogs is incredibly important to ensure that they are able to interact safely. Even if you don’t own dogs yourself, your children are more than likely to come across occasions, be it in the park or walking to the shops, when they will encounter them.  Here are some simple tips that will help you to teach your kids how to behave safely.

Proper Introductions

Dogs are not big fans of surprises. Teach your kids to introduce themselves to new dogs slowly, by presenting the back of the hand - and definitely not by going straight in for a hug. Children should not be taught to be afraid of dogs - but they should be taught to be respectful and aware of potential dangers. Children should be taught that they should always seek the owner’s permission before engaging with an unknown dog.

No rough and tumble

Children are extremely tactile - and unless they are told otherwise they are likely to want to pull and paw at dogs. Although dogs love fuss and attention, even the most placid of breeds will be put to the test if their hair is constantly pulled. Teach your children to respect the dog’s personal space and not to treat them as a play thing.

Leave their toys alone!

We all know how upset kids can get over their toys- and the same is true of dogs. Teach your kids to leave the dog’s toys alone- and the same goes for any other belongings such as beds and blankets Parents are also advised to avoid buying dog toys which too closely resemble their kids’ toys, as this can cause confusion. A huge range of specialist dog toys is available from Dogs Corner.

Avoid close face contact

Children should be taught not to put their faces close to that of a dog. Although many dogs will be fine with this kind of interaction, it is taking an unnecessary risk and should definitely be avoided. Kids must be told never to try and remove something from a dog’s mouth.

Keep quiet

Trying to keep excitable children quiet can be a difficult task- but they must be aware that loud noises can cause dogs distress. Running and screaming can also confuse dogs into thinking that some sort of game is taking place and encourage them to get over-excited. Teaching your kids to have a calm demeanor around dogs, and indeed all animals, is at the crux of successful animal-human relations.

Even once your children know how to behave around dogs, we always recommend that younger children are not left with them unsupervised. No matter how well behaved a dog is, there is always a risk that something could happen and that’s simply not a risk worth taking. For those looking to introduce a dog into a young family for the first time there is a wealth of information available, covering everything from training aids to which breeds make the best family pets. We thoroughly recommend doing this research before buying a new dog.  If you do decide to get a dog then you can get everything you need for your new pet, from dog beds to dog coats with Dogs Corner.