Children learn how to interact with pets by observing how adults treat pets. If you treat your pet with respect, that is what your child will learn. Your child’s involvement with a pet varies by age.

By 4-6 years old, a child can learn and understand about how to interact with your dog but only with supervision. Your child can help you feed your dog by giving the “sit” command before you put the food bowl down. Children can help you brush your dog by learning how to gently do so while you control the dog. Younger children can even help you walk your dog if you attach two leashes so you and your child are both holding a leash.

By 6-10 years old, your child can learn how to help look after your dog. Your child can learn to feed, clean up after, walk and play with your dog.

Involving your children in dog care and training activities makes your pet a more well-mannered family member around all family members. It also teaches your children humane treatment and effective communication with your dog.

The best way for children to interact with your dog is through play. Even though many dogs are very tolerant, you need to set limits on play – ear or tail pulling, hitting, chasing and wrestling are not acceptable. Supervised games such as fetch, blowing bubbles, hide and seek (with the dog finding the child to receive a reward), kicking a soccer ball around or learning new tricks foster cooperation. Avoid letting your child, or any adult, play tug of war or wrestle with your dog. Some dogs can become overexcited and dominant during such games and your child may be accidentally injured. Some dogs may become overexcited and unpredictable when a child runs and screams creating a dangerous situation.

All children need to be taught basic dog safety rules. Many dog bites are the result of children living with very tolerant dogs who assume that all dogs will behave the same way. Teach your children the “possum stance.” Teach your children that if a dog is chasing them, and possibly even barking, growling or nipping, to immediately stand still. Arms should be folded across the chest or over the face and the voice should become very soft or quiet. The possum stance makes your child much less interesting to the dog and odds are that the dog will calm down and go off and do something else.

Your child should tell you any time a dog growls. A growl is a warning that the dog is uncomfortable with the situation and your child should back away immediately. If a dog growls at any time other than obvious play growling, consult a professional immediately. Aggression problems tend to quickly become worse. Never leave a child under 12 alone with a dog.

By teaching both your child and dog how to treat each other respectfully you can help ensure a strong bond between them. Your dog should learn basic obedience skills and the rules of the house. By teaching your child how to give your dog obedience commands properly and making sure that your dog readily accepts your child’s direction, your dog learns that your child is higher up in the family hierarchy.

It is important for your child to learn:

• When your dog is playing with a toy or eating or sleeping the dog may not want to be bothered. You should establish a place for your dog to retreat to when time away from humans is needed.
• Your dog sometimes may become upset with too much petting or stimulation. When your dog gives warning signs, such as growling or trying to get away, your child should slowly back away and leave the pet alone. Never chase or corner a dog that is trying to get away.
• Dogs feel pain just as the child does. How would your child react to hair or ear pulling or eye poking, etc.?
• Always obtain permission before approaching and petting another person’s dog. Some dogs will be threatened by strangers and may become dangerous.