We are all being asked to stay at home during this difficult time and that means that kids and dogs are spending more time together. Whilst your children may love the extra time to play with their furry friends, restrictions on leaving the house may mean that both pets and kids can become bored, hyperactive or frustrated at times, which can lead to safety issues.

7 Tips for Keeping Kids and Dogs Happy & Safe Together

We have come up with some tips to help keep kids and dogs entertained and happy, whilst also providing a safe environment at home together.

1. Never leave your child and dog alone together

Young children are still learning, so can find it difficult to read their dogs behaviour or understand common warning signs such as growling or yelping. Kids can also get excited and unintentionally play a little rough with your dog which can lead to your pet getting a bit snappy or have them jumping around excitedly and accidentally knocking a child down. For these reasons, parents or caretakers should never leave children alone with dogs, no matter how quiet or well behaved your pet may be.

2. Never let your child climb on your dog, pull their ears, tail or fur

Teach your child how to be kind and polite to your dog and respect your dog’s personal space. It’s important not to let your child ride on your dog’s back or pull, pinch or slap your dog. Children should also never play fight or tease your dog. As a general rule, your child shouldn’t be allowed to do anything to your dog that you wouldn’t allow them to do to another child.

7 Tips for Keeping Kids and Dogs Happy Together

3. Never let your child sneak up on or corner your dog. Or approach them when they are eating, sleeping or unwell.

Children are still learning right from wrong and you need to teach and reinforce safety rules with your dog. Just like us, dogs may feel frightened or threatened if someone sneaks up on them or tries to corner them. It is also important not to approach your dog when eating, sleeping, unwell, injured or tired.

4. Ensure your dog has a place to relax for some alone time

Give your dog a comfortable bed in a quite spot. If your dog’s bed is near a busy walkway or busy part of the house, move it to a quiet place so they can relax without being interrupted by the children playing. Teach kids that while the dog is relaxing or sleeping, they need to leave it alone.

5. Practice good hygiene

Make sure your children wash their hands after interacting with your dog, their food and bedding. Also ensure your child doesn’t share their food with your dog and avoids being kissed or licked.

7 Tips for Keeping Kids and Dogs Happy and Safe Together

6. Get your children involved in looking after your dog

Kids will enjoy helping out with feeding, brushing and exercising your dog. Just make sure they are supervised at all times. Also encourage your children to keep their toys away from your dog as they may become damaged or even worse a choking hazard or blockage in your dog’s stomach if chewed on or swallowed.

7. Teach your children how to play nicely with your dog

Get your children involved in teaching your dog a new trick like sit, come, stay, fetch, shake hands or lie down. For some fun ideas click here. You could also get your children to help play some indoor games with your dog, which can offer both mental and physical stimulation for the whole family. Click here for some great ideas. Its also important to teach your child safety rules and how your dog communicates so they can start to recognise when your dog wants to play, stop or have some alone time.

Kids and dogs can be great friends and having a dog can help children develop kindness, encourage responsibility and have a greater respect for living things. It is important to teach children how to be safe around dogs for everyone’s protection.

If you have any questions about your dog, give us a call on 03 8784 4444.